Your molars comprise the 12 teeth at the back of your mouth. Molars have flatter, wider surfaces than other teeth, so they aid in chewing and breaking down food. Molars develop and erupt gradually over the course of your life. The last ones to develop, the third molars, don’t erupt until late adolescence or early adulthood, which is why the third molars are called “wisdom teeth.”

Molars wisdom teeth are very important for dental health, but when wisdom teeth erupt, they are often misaligned or lead to crowding. If wisdom teeth come in at an angle, bacteria can get trapped in spaces that can’t be reached by a toothbrush. Additionally, some wisdom teeth only partially erupt from the gums. This condition–impacted wisdom teeth–risks oral infection, severe pain, and crowding of the teeth.

To take care of your molars, be sure to brush all surfaces of your back teeth. If you are experiencing pain near the back of your mouth, you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed. To discuss options regarding your wisdom teeth, contact A Beautiful Smile at Lake Pointe today.