Your third molars are more commonly called “wisdom teeth.” They are the last teeth to erupt in your mouth; usually appearing in the late teens or early twenties. Wisdom teeth are the least needed to maintain good oral health. Third molars often remain trapped in the jawbone under the gums because there is insufficient space for them to erupt. This common condition is called impaction. When any tooth lacks the space to come through or simply develops in the wrong place of your jaw and becomes impacted, problems can arise.
Wisdom teeth can cause crowding, damage to adjacent teeth, gum disease and decay. In certain cases, the wisdom tooth that cannot erupt becomes inflamed under the gums and in the jawbone, causing a sac to develop around the root of the tooth that then fills with liquid. This can cause a cyst or an abscess if it becomes infected. If either of these situations goes untreated, serious damage to the underlying bone and surrounding teeth and tissues can result.
Pain and swelling are common indicators that there is a problem with wisdom teeth. Even If you are not having symptoms, early diagnosis is important.
Wisdom teeth extraction is the best option to ensure oral health.