HEALTH

What are wisdom teeth, and will I have to get mine removed?

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that usually develop when you’re about 18 – at which time, you will suddenly become all-knowing. Just kidding. These teeth serve no purpose, except to possibly cause serious pain and irritation. Wisdom teeth can come in sideways, angled or downward, pushing other teeth out of alignment.

It’s difficult to brush these teeth because they’re so far back in the mouth,” says dentist Dr. Ramin Tabib of New York. “Because they are so hard to clean, tartar and plaque build-up, combined with food getting stuck underneath the gum can cause cavities, infection and inflammation.” Dr. Tabib says every jaw is different, so when your wisdom teeth appear (and most people get ’em), your dentist can determine if your jaw is wide enough to accommodate the extra teeth.

But you’ll definitely want them removed if you experience infection, pain or impaction, in which they are blocked completely or partially from breaking through the gum. And if you’ve had braces, wisdom teeth can make straight teeth crooked. Best to get ’em out.

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