Why do you need to have your wisdom teeth removed?

Many people may wonder if they need to have their wisdom teeth surgically removed if they do not get braces. If there is no pain, or if they are older and still have no pain, do they still need to be removed? And why didn’t people in the past have to have their wisdom teeth surgically removed?
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People in the past ate meat and fibrous foods, which allowed the jaw to grow properly. The third molars, which erupt last around the age of 17-18, had enough space to come in fully. However, children nowadays eat soft foods or fast food, which causes the jaw to not develop fully. The third molars then have no space to erupt properly and end up pushing against the adjacent teeth. The main reasons why we need to surgically remove wisdom teeth can be divided into 8 points:
<ol>
<li>To prevent pain caused by the third molars that cannot erupt due to crowding against adjacent teeth or being impacted in the ramus bone, causing pressure in the jaw area. In some cases, the roots of the impacted teeth may be long enough to press on or entangle the nerves and blood vessels in the jaw, which can cause damage if not removed promptly or left for a long time. For upper wisdom teeth, if left for a long time, the sinus cavity may descend, making the surgical removal risk creating a perforation between the oral cavity and the sinus.</li>
<li>To prevent inflammation of the gums covering the tooth, as food debris can get trapped under the gum and cannot be cleaned. Bacteria accumulation will cause the gums to become inflamed, painful, swollen, pus-filled, and foul-smelling. If left untreated, the infection can spread under the chin or tongue, leading to the spread of infection to other parts of the body, which is very dangerous. In some cases, if the gums are severely inflamed and the opposing tooth grows long enough to bite the gums, the pain will worsen significantly.</li>
<li>To prevent decay of adjacent teeth. The space between the impacted wisdom tooth and the second molar is difficult to clean, causing food debris to accumulate and decay both teeth. In severe cases, both teeth may need to be removed.</li>
<li>To prevent bone resorption. The pressure from the impacted wisdom tooth trying to erupt can destroy the bone around the roots of the adjacent teeth. If the adjacent teeth are still healthy, delaying the removal of the wisdom tooth can cause the bone and roots of the neighboring teeth to be destroyed, potentially affecting the survival of those teeth.</li>
<li>To prevent cysts or tumors. If left for a long time, the tissue surrounding the impacted tooth may enlarge into a cyst without symptoms, eventually damaging adjacent teeth and surrounding bone. If dental check-ups are not done regularly, this is often only noticed when the face becomes asymmetrical or one side of the jaw appears larger. Early detection and surgical removal can minimize jaw loss and preserve facial structure. However, if the cyst or tumor is very large, part of the jaw may need to be removed, causing facial deformity.</li>
<li>To prevent jaw fractures. The presence of impacted wisdom teeth embedded in the jawbone makes the bone thinner in that area, creating a weak spot. In case of trauma or impact, the jawbone in that area can fracture easily.</li>
<li>For orthodontic treatment to correct crowded front teeth, the third molars often need to be removed first to facilitate the movement of other teeth. The pressure from the wisdom teeth can push adjacent teeth, causing a chain reaction that prevents effective correction of crowded front teeth.</li>
<li>For elderly patients who have had molars removed but not their wisdom teeth, and need to wear removable dentures, the dentures pressing on the back area can cause bone resorption, leading to pain in the denture area.</li>
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Knowing this, you probably wouldn’t want to let wisdom teeth become an obstacle in your life. Removing wisdom teeth before they cause pain is easier and less painful than when they are already sore and painful.

Many people may wonder if they need to have their teeth extracted if they don't get braces. If there is no pain, or if they are older and still have no pain, do they still need to have them removed? And why didn't people in the past have to have their wisdom teeth surgically removed?

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Why is wisdom tooth extraction necessary?

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