Wisdom Teeth: When To Watch, When To Remove

By Author: gentle and caring dentistry
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Wisdom teeth are the last molars to appear in the mouth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. For some people, they fit in the mouth without causing problems. For others, they bring pain, infections, or difficulty in chewing.

Knowing when to leave them alone and when to remove them can save problems and discomfort later.

A strange fact about Wisdom Teeth and jaw space
Long ago, our ancestors ate more unrefined and fibrous foods such as raw vegetables, roots, nuts, and tough meat. Their jaws were more developed, and hence the wisdom teeth used to fit.

Over time, as diets softened and jaws grew smaller, there was not enough space to accommodate the wisdom teeth.

When It’s Okay Just to Watch.
It’s important to note that not every wisdom tooth can cause trouble. Many people keep them for life without any discomfort. Your dentist might suggest keeping a watchful eye on them if:

They are fully erupted & grown into the mouth and line up well with your other teeth.
They are causing cheek biting
They are not easy to brush and floss.
They are painful with swelling ...
... or infection.
Recommendation: We barely know or check in depth what’s under the gums until it’s painful. A periodic X-ray of the wisdom teeth is highly recommended, not just to make sure everything is healthy under the gums but also to avoid discomfort later on.

When Does Removal of Wisdom Teeth Make Sense?
Some wisdom teeth grow at odd angles or remain trapped under the gums. Removal may be needed if you notice:

Ongoing pain, swelling, or pressure at the back of your mouth.
Repeated gum infections around the tooth.
Pressure on neighbouring teeth
Cavities or cysts form near the impacted wisdom tooth.
Teeth moving out of alignment, undoing orthodontic work.
What to Expect during a wisdom tooth extraction?
Wisdom teeth extraction is a very common procedure. If the tooth is fully grown into the mouth, removal is usually simple. Impacted ones can be more difficult, but most people return to normalcy within days. Soreness and swelling are both manageable with rest and prescribed medication.

At Gentle and Caring Dentistry in Maroubra, we don’t believe wisdom teeth are always a problem. Its imperative to check if the wisdom tooth is giving a problem or just there for good. Meeting your dentist regularly with the desired X-rays can help decide if it’s good to keep them or wise to get them removed. Sometimes monitoring is enough, but acting early can prevent bigger problems later.

Schedule an appointment with the best dentist in Maroubra today.