Advantages and Disadvantages of Wisdom Teeth
Looking for advantages and disadvantages of Wisdom Teeth?
We have collected some solid points that will help you understand the pros and cons of Wisdom Teeth in detail.
But first, let’s understand the topic:
What is Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that usually grow at the back of your mouth. They typically appear in your late teens or early twenties. Sometimes they can cause pain or dental problems and may need to be removed by a dentist.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Wisdom Teeth
The following are the advantages and disadvantages of Wisdom Teeth:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Potential space for implants | Can cause pain and swelling |
| Reserve chewing teeth | May lead to infection |
| Genetic diversity marker | Difficult to clean properly |
| Reflect evolutionary history | Can crowd other teeth |
| Can indicate overall health | Risk of impaction and cysts |
Advantages of Wisdom Teeth
- Potential space for implants – If other teeth are lost, wisdom teeth can provide a spot for dental implants, helping to restore a person’s smile and chewing ability.
- Reserve chewing teeth – They act as backup for grinding food if other molars are damaged or removed, maintaining the efficiency of chewing.
- Genetic diversity marker – Wisdom teeth can show variations among different populations, helping scientists understand human genetic variation and ancestry.
- Reflect evolutionary history – These teeth are remnants of our ancestors’ diets, which needed more molars to grind down plant material, telling us how humans have evolved.
- Can indicate overall health – Dentists can learn about a person’s general dental health by examining wisdom teeth, as issues with them may reflect broader oral health problems.
Disadvantages of Wisdom Teeth
- Can cause pain and swelling – Wisdom teeth can grow in awkward positions, causing discomfort and puffiness in your gums. This can make your jaw sore and tender to touch.
- May lead to infection – If not kept clean, these teeth can be a home for bacteria, which might result in sore, red gums, bad breath, or more serious gum diseases.
- Difficult to clean properly – Because they’re so far back in your mouth, wisdom teeth are hard to reach with a toothbrush and floss, making them not so clean as they should be.
- Can crowd other teeth – As they try to find space in a crowded mouth, wisdom teeth can push against other teeth. This can mess up how your teeth line up and look.
- Risk of impaction and cysts – Sometimes, wisdom teeth get stuck under the gum and can’t come out right, or they might form small, fluid-filled sacs that can damage your jawbone and other teeth.
That’s it.
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