WISDOM TEETH Meaning and
Definition
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Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, refer to the four permanent adult teeth located at the back corners of the mouth. These teeth typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, thus earning the name "wisdom" teeth due to their tendency to appear when an individual is considered to be more mature or wiser.
The average adult has a total of 32 teeth, including four wisdom teeth. However, their eruption is often problematic. Due to a lack of adequate space in the jaw, these teeth may become impacted, meaning they remain partially or completely trapped beneath the gum line. This impaction can lead to a range of complications, including pain, infection, damage to adjacent teeth, and even the development of cysts or tumors.
Thus, in many cases where wisdom teeth are causing issues or are predicted to cause future problems, extraction becomes necessary. Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure in which the impacted teeth are surgically removed by a dentist or oral surgeon. This procedure requires anesthesia to ensure patient comfort and may involve the use of dental tools, such as forceps, elevators, or drills, to extract the teeth.
Extracting wisdom teeth is a common dental procedure aimed at preventing potential complications and promoting overall oral health. It is often recommended when these teeth fail to fully emerge, are causing pain or infection, are crowding other teeth, or are impacting the alignment of the rest of the dentition.
Common Misspellings for WISDOM TEETH
- qisdom teeth
- aisdom teeth
- sisdom teeth
- eisdom teeth
- 3isdom teeth
- 2isdom teeth
- wusdom teeth
- wjsdom teeth
- wksdom teeth
- wosdom teeth
- w9sdom teeth
- w8sdom teeth
- wiadom teeth
- wizdom teeth
- wixdom teeth
- widdom teeth
- wiedom teeth
- wiwdom teeth
- wissom teeth
- wisxom teeth
Etymology of WISDOM TEETH
The word "wisdom teeth" has an interesting etymology. The term "wisdom teeth" comes from the Old English word "wīsdōm", which means wisdom, and "tōþas", which means teeth. The name "wisdom teeth" refers to the fact that these teeth typically appear later in life, between the ages of 17 and 25, when a person is considered to have gained more knowledge and maturity, or wisdom. This association with wisdom led to the term "wisdom teeth" being widely used to describe these third molars.
Idioms with the word WISDOM TEETH
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cut (one's) wisdom teeth
The idiom "cut (one's) wisdom teeth" refers to someone gaining experience or maturity in a particular area of life. It implies that a person has reached a stage of growth or development where they have acquired sufficient knowledge or skill in a specific field. It often signifies the attainment of a certain level of expertise or proficiency.
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