If you have wisdom teeth, you may have wondered: Do they actually need to come out?
The answer is not automatically yes.
Some wisdom teeth grow into a healthy position and never cause significant problems. Others remain trapped beneath the gums, grow at an angle or create areas that are difficult to keep clean.
The right decision depends on what your dentist sees clinically.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars located at the very back of the mouth.
When there is not enough room for a wisdom tooth to erupt normally, it may become partially or completely trapped beneath the gums or jawbone. This is known as an impacted wisdom tooth.
An impacted tooth does not always hurt.
That is why an examination and dental X-rays can be important when determining whether a wisdom tooth should be monitored or removed.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth May Need to Be Removed
Your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth extraction when there is evidence that a tooth is causing or contributing to a dental problem.
Pain or swelling
Recurring pain, pressure or swelling near the back of the mouth should be evaluated.
Pain can have several causes, so an examination is necessary before deciding that extraction is the solution.
Repeated gum infections
A partially erupted wisdom tooth can create an area where bacteria and food become trapped beneath the gum.
This can lead to inflammation or repeated infection around the tooth.
Tooth decay
Wisdom teeth can be difficult to reach with a toothbrush and floss. If a wisdom tooth cannot be kept clean, it may become more vulnerable to decay.
Gum problems
Difficult-to-clean wisdom teeth can also contribute to inflammation or gum disease around the tooth and the neighbouring second molar.
Damage to a neighbouring tooth
The position of an impacted wisdom tooth can sometimes affect the tooth directly in front of it.
Dental imaging helps your dentist evaluate whether this is occurring.
Cysts or other changes
In some cases, changes such as a cyst can develop around an impacted tooth. These findings may be identified on dental X-rays even before you notice symptoms.
What If My Wisdom Teeth Do Not Hurt?
No pain does not automatically mean that a wisdom tooth is healthy. Some problems can develop without obvious symptoms.
At the same time, the absence of symptoms does not automatically mean a wisdom tooth needs to be removed.
Your dentist should consider factors such as:
- The position of the tooth
- Whether it is fully erupted
- Whether you can clean it effectively
- The health of the surrounding gums
- The condition of the neighbouring tooth
- What appears on your dental X-rays
Can You Keep Your Wisdom Teeth?
Yes.
Wisdom teeth that are healthy, fully erupted, properly positioned and easy to clean may be monitored as part of your regular dental examinations.
If they remain in place, continuing to monitor them is important because their condition can change over time.
Is There a “Right Age” for Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Wisdom teeth often appear during the late teenage years or early adulthood, which is why extraction is frequently discussed around this time.
But age alone does not determine whether a tooth should be removed.
The decision should consider the position of the tooth, your oral health, symptoms, potential risks and the complexity of treatment.
Start With an Assessment, Not an Assumption
Seeing wisdom teeth on an X-ray does not automatically tell us whether they need to come out.
The more useful question is:
What is this tooth doing, and how is it affecting the rest of the mouth?
At Smiles by Bis in Oakville, we believe dental treatment should begin with understanding the problem.
If you have wisdom tooth pain, swelling or questions about whether your wisdom teeth should be removed, our dental team can assess the area and discuss your options with you.
Call 905-338-6684 to book a wisdom teeth assessment in Oakville.