Teeth erupt in stages and wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars we receive around the ages of 17-21. Not everyone accrues wisdom teeth, which means not everyone needs them extracted. Wisdom teeth that only partially emerge or come in crooked can lead to painful crowding and oral infection. If you are experiencing facial discomfort and still have your wisdom teeth intact, it may be time to discuss extraction with our doctors at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry. When wisdom teeth are misaligned, they may position themselves horizontally, or at an inward/outward angle. Poor alignment of wisdom teeth can crowd the mouth or damage adjacent teeth. Wisdom teeth are often unnecessary because we don’t require them to chew our food. Also, people who keep them are more prone to tooth decay and periodontal disease because they are hard to reach, therefore, difficult to clean. If wisdom teeth are causing you oral discomfort, we can discuss treatment options. If you have questions or con...