(HealthDay News) -- Most people have wisdom teeth -- those teeth that grow in the very back of your mouth -- as young adults. Although some people may have enough room in their mouths to accommodate their wisdom teeth, others may need to have them extracted to prevent other dental problems, including overcrowding.
According to the American Dental Association, your wisdom teeth may need to be extracted if they are growing in sideways and could impact other teeth. They should also be removed if the teeth are only partially emerged for an extended period. This allows for bacteria to form around the teeth and could cause an infection.
If you experience pain, stiffness or swelling in your jaw or other tooth pain, you should consult your dentist to see if your wisdom teeth may be causing the problems. Your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon to see if your wisdom teeth need to be extracted.
