You may have heard that it is common for people to have their wisdom teeth removed, and you may know people who have had this procedure. It is, in fact one of the most common surgical procedures carried out in the UK. This may lead you to wonder if you need yours taken out, and it is a question that we often get asked by our patients.<\/p>\n
So why do we get wisdom teeth?<\/strong><\/p>\n Wisdom teeth are our third molar teeth and they tend to erupt between the ages of 17-25 but they can come earlier or later than this and sometimes not at all! Scientists believe that we evolved into having wisdom teeth because our diet of course rough food resulted in excessive wear and tooth loss, so we got these extra teeth when we needed them. In recent times, we have evolved into having smaller jaws which means some people don\u2019t have enough room for these teeth leading to impaction.<\/p>\n Reasons to have a wisdom tooth extracted.<\/strong><\/p>\n There are a few risks associated with having wisdom teeth extracted such as nerve damage. Nerve damage can lead to a loss of sensation in the area and sometimes complete numbness. There are also risks of an infection after the extraction called a dry socket which is a very painful situation. These risks along with others need to be taken into consideration before deciding on an extraction.<\/p>\n Visit our dental practice in Princes Risborough, Bucks<\/a> for all your dental needs.<\/p>\n\n