As you grow older, a lot of things change in your body. Your body grows and develops. While some of these changes could be smooth, other transitions could create a bit of turmoil. One such is wisdom tooth. What Is A Wisdom Tooth?As per the National Library of Medicine, wisdom teeth come in at the very back of our mouth, with one at the end of each row of teeth. They usually do not fully develop until ages 18 to 24. This is when they appear and are commonly known as "troublemakers". This is because often in our jaws, there is not enough space for these teeth, and so it can cause pain when it comes out. Often the growth of wisdom tooth could lead to pain and inflammation and thus, removal would be necessary. Historically, wisdom tooth date back to our distant ancestors who had larger jaws and thus had more teeth. However, as time wet by and with evolution and changing eating practices, the jaws have shrunken and are thus too small for some people to accommodate the "extra" teeth. However, this does not mean that it causes problems for everyone. For many, these teeth can easily settle in. The percentage of wisdom teeth extracted in women is significantly higher than men, this is because women often consult more often consult more than men, as is also noted in a 2021 study published in Annals of Medicine & Surgery, titled: The wisdom behind the third molars removal: A prospective study of 106 cases. Another study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation from 1987 also notes that women have a smaller maximum jaw opening than men. This could also be the reason why women need to get their wisdom tooth extracted more often than men. What Are The Signs That Tell You To Extract Your Wisdom Tooth?If you have these signs, you may want to consider extracting your wisdom toothWisdom Tooth ImpactionThis is when the third molars grow without fully emerging through your gums. This happens when they grow at an odd angle and emerge crooked, and cause further damage to the other healthy neighboring teeth. The impacted wisdom tooth could often grow at 180 degrees in the wrong direction into the jaw, and thus cause oral infection, jawbone cysts, and gym disease. Gum InflammationThis happens when food, plaque, and bacteria get underneath your gum tissue. Swollen or inflamed gums are often the first signs of wisdom tooth impaction. Stiff JawIf you witness your jaw being stiff, then this could be because your wisdom tooth is pressing against your other teeth. Jaw PainThis could also happen when your wisdom tooth is impacted and thus you face pain in your jaw, especially while you try to open your mouth. Persistent Bad Breath or Taste In Your MouthDespite brushing and following all the oral hygiene routine, you still experience bad breath, it could be because wisdom tooth have caused decay to your adjacent teeth. So, When Should You Remove It?If you face any of these signs, it is best to see your dentist and consult with them before you go ahead with an extraction surgery. Furthermore, the American Dental Association notes that you may need to have your wisdom tooth taken out, if you have:Pain in or near your wisdom teeth.Repeated infection of soft tissue behind the lower last tooth.Fluid-filled sacs called cysts.Tumors.Damage to nearby teeth.Gum disease.Widespread tooth decay