Wisdom Teeth Woes: When Should You Get Them Removed?
Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
08 March, 2025
There is a common joke associated with wisdom teeth- that as soon as they erupt, you will be full of wisdom, while for others who don’t get them at all, they will never be as wise. Jokes aside, wisdom teeth are just the last set of molars to erupt from within the jaw and this process begins when people reach their early 20s. For many people, wisdom teeth may begin to erupt much later and cause a lot of issues. If wisdom teeth erupt at the right angle and don’t annoy their toothy neighbours, then there is no need to get them removed. But more often than not, they don’t erupt in the right way and they can cause pain. This is when they need to be removed.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Need To Be Taken Out
Teeth need to erupt at the right angle, or they can cause crowding and subsequent damage to the jaw and the nerves within. The adjacent teeth get affected the most. Impacted wisdom teeth are ones which are not able to erupt fully because they are still stuck inside the gum or have no space to come out. This tiny space then becomes a breeding ground for millions of bacteria, which can cause an infection and swelling and it is pretty painful too. You can’t brush or floss there either, which means these teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay. You need to be aware of symptoms like tooth pain, jaw pain, headaches not being able to chew normally, swelling and bad breath, among others, which may occur when there is an impacted wisdom tooth.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Wisdom Tooth Removal?
A dentist needs to first anaesthetise you and then surgically remove the offensive tooth. X-rays of your jaw will be taken beforehand, to understand what is going on within and how the tooth can be extracted. After extraction, it can take about 1-2 weeks for you to heal. You will deal with some bleeding, swelling and pain. You can only have liquids for the first couple days and then move on to very soft and mushy foods- which can be eaten without much effort.
Best Age To Have Wisdom Teeth Extracted
The earlier you manage to get your wisdom teeth out, the better. This is because the roots won’t be that strong and hence it will be easier for a dentist to pull them out. The ages between 18-24 are hence most suitable for wisdom teeth removal.
Is It Safe To Keep Wisdom Teeth If They’re Not Causing Problems?
Yes! Healthy teeth which show no signs of decay and do not cause issues to their neighbours or adjacent teeth and are aligned properly are good for you and need not be removed. But, in majority of the cases, wisdom teeth don’t erupt properly and can cause issues, which is why extraction becomes necessary.
Conclusion
How much the wisdom tooth has erupted also matters, before extraction can be done. If the tooth has not erupted yet, the dentist or surgeon may create a tiny incision on the gum just above, so that the tooth then has enough space to come out. Oftentimes, the jawbone blocks the tooth from above, which is why the surgeon will then have to remove sections of the bone, before pulling the tooth out. Sedatives and anaesthesia are obviously given during extraction. Afterwards, you should not suck or chew on anything for the next couple days. You will need to wait for bleeding to stop and a proper blood clot to form. If you notice very bad halitosis and have pain, then you may have developed a dry socket- where the blood clot has not formed or it has come off, leaving the wound or incision area open. You can also take painkillers to feel better. Stitches, if used, may be removed after about a week. Talk to your dentist if you have any other concerns and questions.
