Wisdom teeth are comprised of the third molars, thus named because they are the rearmost of the set of three molars that reside in the upper and lower jaw:
Molars mean millstone in Latin, which describes the grinding food action that is their primary function in the mouth.
The wisdom teeth are the last to emerge of the molars, typically between the ages of 16-25. But for teeth that are supposed to reflect the wisdom of your age, they sure are dumb. Here are just a few things that can go wrong:
- They can fail to emerge through the gum line, facing forward
- They can fail to emerge through the gum line, facing back
- They can fail to emerge through the gum line, growing into the molar next to them
- They can fail to emerge through the gum line
- They can only partially emerge through the gum line
Even if your wisdom teeth grow in as expected, they can be rife with issues. They can cause rampant infections due to food particles stuck in the scary place between the tooth and the rear jaw.
Wisdom teeth can also be misaligned, rubbing against the tongue, or rubbing against the cheek, or rubbing against other teeth, or crowding out previously purchased orthodontia.
Maybe Bossy’s mother had it right when, describing teeth in general, she exclaimed, “Bad design!”
Bossy is posting every day in November. Here’s what you missed so far!
- Welcome To The First Day Of The Rest Of November
- Very Little Has Been Said About Hurricane Sandy
- Bossy’s Dane Isn’t Just Great, She’s Voting For Obama
- Daylight Saving Time
- Is That Your Lacrimal Apparatus, Or Are You Just Unhappy To See Me?
- Vote Your Heart
- The Presidency The Sequel
- 5 Great Tips To Save Time This Holiday Season, And One Even Better Tip
- Emergency Friends Defined
- A Sexy Sweaty Dress
- A Laundry Phenomenon
- Veteran’s Day
- It’s National Watchamacallit Day
- Let’s Catch Up With The Rolling Stones
- Bossy Gets Crushes On People
- Explain This Good For Nothingness
- Bossy’s Fiscal Cliff
Jenn @ Juggling Life says
November 18, 2012 at 5:27 pmOlder two have had them done, younger two not yet. This makes me nervous. I’m sure Bossy knows to make lots of extra mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving in preparation for the recovery.
dobes says
November 18, 2012 at 6:00 pmThough I have never been anywhere near as beautiful as Bossy’s daughter, I am luckier: I was born without wisdom teeth.
Bobbie says
November 18, 2012 at 7:00 pmAnd my son was born with five! Back in the day I went into the hospital for two nights to have mine removed (all impacted). I second stocking up on mashed potatoes, and bags of frozen peas to reduce swelling.
Gail K. says
November 18, 2012 at 7:13 pmGail’s son has a consultation appointment regarding his the day before Thanksgiving. I don’t know why we have to consult, I have the x-ray and I can tell they need to come out. It looks like each one is doing its own version of the Hokey-Pokey in there. Hmmm, let’s put those Turkey Day carving tools to work on Friday, shall we???
Kathi says
November 18, 2012 at 9:06 pmGood timing–the day AFTER Thanksgiving. When I was seventeen, I had mine out the day BEFORE Thanksgiving. Not sure, but that may have been my mother’s idea of a joke. My 14 yr old daughter had hers out this summer. Word to the wise–have the video camera or phone handy because the drugs may the immediate aftermath HYSTERICAL. My normally introverted daughter said the funniest things–and she just could NOT STOP TALKING–but, alas, I have only a dumb phone with no video capabilities so everyone just has to take my word for how truly funny it was.
KathyB says
November 18, 2012 at 9:17 pmSo sorry, Bossy’s daughter. But Bossy should get a picture of her with chipmunk cheeks while recovering.
Mine weren’t full sized, but if I didn’t have room for regular molars – pulled four for braces – sure didn’t have room for them. Came out one by one as they emerged. One fell swoop is better.
Tom says
November 18, 2012 at 9:38 pmGreat idea from when I had my wisdom teeth out. Take some rubber gloves fill them with water, tie them off and put them in the freezer over juice cans or something round. That way they fit perfectly under the chin and fit to the cheek to reduce the swelling. Good luck Bossy’s daughter!
Teresa says
November 19, 2012 at 3:43 amLIke Kathi’s daughter, I could not stop talking when they gave me “truth serum” (sodium pentothol) prior to getting my wisdom teeth out. I had all four removed–all impacted. Also I woke up in the middle of the procedure because it took so long. That was because they found what turned out to be a completely benign cyst hiding in there. When I woke up I talked-talked-talked some more. Also, everything was hysterically funny.
But not to my poor mom, who had to take the cyst to the hospital to be biopsied while I was still in la-la land. When I woke up for good, I could not speak. I remember the doc saying, She probably understands every word we’re saying but can’t speak yet, and how immensely frustrating it was not to be able to say, Yes, that’s right! It’s not a physical problem, it’s a brain thing caused by the drugs.
Tell your daughter to drink tea afterwards–the tannic acid helps the gums recover. You can even stick teabags in the corners of your cheeks. Until you get tired of feeling like a chipmunk.
joeinvegas says
November 19, 2012 at 1:46 pmShe’ll feel like a chipmunk anyway. But at least she’ll have a good Thanksgiving dinner (maybe). But to miss shopping Friday!
GK in MI says
November 19, 2012 at 3:11 pmLike Dobes, I was lucky and did not have wisdom teeth at all. My family tells me this indicates I have no wisdom. I think just the opposite!
p.j. says
November 19, 2012 at 4:39 pmBest of luck to Bossy’s beautiful daughter. Yup, trashing the expensive orthodontia is a good reason to get them out NOW. I like Tom’s idea. My daughter tied a huge scarf around her head to hold the gel packs/frozen peas in place. A bit Ebenezer Scrooge-ish, but worked great to let her put her tired hands down! Hope it is easy for you.
Happy Thanksgiving, p.j. in stl
bossysMom says
November 19, 2012 at 6:32 pmI had to go back to look at the hiney and legs. haahahhahha.
Tina says
November 19, 2012 at 8:33 pmBad design is right. I had my wisdom teeth out at 21. Be sure to get her to take the pain pills as soon as possible after the surgery All four of mine were impacted and I woke up in the middle too. Don’t tell her this, but worst pain of my life (I had three children too)…shhh. I hope hers is a lot less traumatic.
Arli says
November 19, 2012 at 9:49 pmBossy’s daughter is a true beauty! Hope all goes well with the wisdom tooth removal.
Little Miss Sunshine State says
November 19, 2012 at 10:52 pmI had the non-impacted variety removed at age 21 in the dentist’s office…no anesthesia, then drove myself home. Easy-peasy.
I won’t tell you the whole story of the Thanksgiving I spent in the hospital at age 15, after having all the cartilage in my jaw removed. I still have horrid memories of blenderized Thanksgiving dinner.
H says
November 24, 2012 at 1:12 amI had all my wisdom teeth out when I was 16 — did it in my dentist’s office with novocaine, no problem. My bottom 2 were impacted so it took awhile, but really it was OK, and I don’t remember being in pain at all. Hope she did well!