Third molars, commonly called wisdom teeth, may make it easier to chew. But they’re also a frequent source of pain and discomfort, and are often extracted.

The American Dental Association says misaligned wisdom teeth can:

• Promote bacterial growth and allow trapped food.
• Make it difficult to thoroughly floss between teeth.
• Trigger infection, swelling and pain if the teeth only partially break through the gums.
• Cause crowding of the teeth.
• If a wisdom tooth is impacted, promote formation of a cyst, which could lead to damage of nearby bone.

Source: HealthDay