Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt in your mouth. This usually occurs between the ages of 17 and 25.
But do these late bloomers have any impact on the size of your jaw? Let's delve into the matter.
Quick Answer: Do Wisdom Teeth Make Your Jaw Bigger?
Impact on Jaw Size: No, wisdom teeth themselves do not cause your jaw to grow bigger. Wisdom teeth could theoretically cause changes in the jaw's shape, including minor facial asymmetry, but this is so minor that it is not perceptible to human eyes.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Issues: These can include pain, infection, and even damage to neighboring teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Removal: This procedure, while common for impacted wisdom teeth, does not directly affect jaw size. Changes in facial appearance post-removal are usually due to a reduction in swelling and inflammation.
Other Influencing Factors: Genetics, diet, and oral habits play more significant roles in determining jaw size than wisdom teeth.
The Anatomy of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are located at the very back of the mouth, behind your second molars. Their development is usually completed by the early twenties, but they may not erupt until later in life, if at all.
Unlike the rest of your teeth, for most people wisdom teeth are not necessary for chewing food. They are vestigial third molars, remnants from our ancestors who needed extra chewing power for a diet consisting of hard-to-chew foods like roots, nuts, and meats.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Due to evolution and changes in the human diet, our jaws have become smaller over time, often leaving insufficient room for wisdom teeth to properly erupt. This can lead to impacted wisdom teeth, a condition where the teeth are trapped in the jawbone or gums.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of problems, including pain, infection, and damage to neighboring teeth.
Wisdom Teeth and Jaw Size
While wisdom teeth themselves do not cause your jaw to grow bigger, they can indirectly influence the shape and size of the jaw. This is mainly due to the issues caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
When wisdom teeth are impacted, they can push against other teeth, causing them to move and potentially leading to minor changes in the jaw's shape.
More commonly, however, any “changes” in jaw shape due to wisdom teeth are simply a result of inflammation and/or infection caused by wisdom teeth that need to be removed. Your jaw didn’t “shrink” after getting your wisdom teeth out — the swelling just went away once the infection cleared up.
Wisdom Teeth Removal and Jaw Size
Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure carried out to alleviate the problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth. However, it's important to note that this procedure does not directly affect the size of your jaw.
After wisdom teeth removal, some people may notice changes in their facial appearance. This is usually due to the reduction in swelling and inflammation rather than any actual change in jaw size.
Factors That Can Influence Jaw Size
While wisdom teeth can indirectly affect the size of your jaw, they are not the main factors influencing jaw growth. Several other factors play a more significant role in determining the size and shape of your jaw.
Genetics
Genetics is the most significant factor influencing the size of your jaw. If you have a family history of large jaws, you are more likely to have a larger jaw yourself.
Diet
The type of diet you consume can also influence the size of your jaw. A diet that requires a lot of chewing, such as one high in fibrous vegetables and tough meats, can stimulate jaw growth.
Oral Habits
Oral habits, such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, can also influence jaw growth. These habits can put pressure on the jaw, leading to changes in its shape and size.
Final Thoughts
So, do wisdom teeth make your jaw bigger? The answer is fairly straightforward.
While wisdom teeth can, theoretically, indirectly influence the size and shape of your jaw (mainly due to the issues caused by impacted wisdom teeth), wisdom teeth do not affect jaw shape/size to any noticeable degree.
It's important to remember that several other factors, such as genetics, diet, and oral habits, play a more significant role in determining the size and shape of your jaw. If you have concerns about your jaw size or wisdom teeth, it's best to consult with a dental professional.
FAQs
Does removing your wisdom teeth make your face slimmer?
Removing wisdom teeth does not typically make your face slimmer. Any perceived slimming is usually temporary and due to the reduction of swelling or inflammation after the extraction. Long-term changes in facial structure due to wisdom teeth removal are rare.
Can wisdom teeth shift your jaw?
Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes exert pressure on adjacent teeth, potentially causing them to shift and affecting the alignment of the jaw. However, wisdom teeth alone are not typically the sole cause of significant jaw shifting. Often a shift in the jaw would be caused by chewing on one side due to pain in a wisdom tooth on the opposite side.
Do wisdom teeth make your face swell?
Yes, wisdom teeth can cause facial swelling, particularly if they are impacted or infected. This swelling is usually localized around the jaw and cheek area.
Will my jaw go back to normal after wisdom teeth removal?
In most cases, any swelling or changes in the jaw due to wisdom teeth will resolve after their removal. The jaw generally returns to its normal state once healing is complete, but this can vary depending on individual circumstances and the complexity of the extraction.
Why do models remove wisdom teeth?
Some models choose to remove wisdom teeth to prevent potential future dental issues or to alleviate existing conditions such as crowding or impaction. It's not a standard practice for aesthetic reasons alone, as wisdom teeth removal doesn't typically have a significant impact on overall facial aesthetics.
Why experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth?
Some dental experts recommend against routine removal of wisdom teeth unless they cause problems. This change in perspective is due to the understanding that not all wisdom teeth cause issues and that extraction can carry risks, such as infection or nerve damage. The decision to remove wisdom teeth is now more often based on individual needs rather than as a preventative measure.
* Though the author of this post is a licensed dentist in the state of Kansas, this information is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Please use your best judgment and contact emergency medical services in the event of an emergency.