Wisdom teeth are the last to arrive, often when there is not enough room left in the jaw. Sometimes they come through without a problem. Often they do not.
Why do they cause trouble?
- Impaction. The tooth is stuck against the next tooth or the bone and cannot emerge fully.
- Partial eruption. A flap of gum covers part of the tooth, trapping food and bacteria and causing infection called pericoronitis.
- Decay. Hard-to-reach back teeth are difficult to clean, and decay can also form on the tooth in front.
- Pressure and crowding. An erupting tooth may cause pain, though its role in crowding is debated.
- Cysts or damage to nearby bone or teeth, which is uncommon.
Symptoms
- Pain or tenderness at the back of the jaw
- Red, swollen or bleeding gum behind the last tooth
- Bad taste or bad breath
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Swelling of the cheek or jaw, sometimes with fever
Relief while you wait
- Rinse with warm salt water several times a day
- Gently clean the area with a soft brush
- Use simple pain relief as directed on the pack
- Use a cold compress on the cheek for swelling
See what to do for a toothache. Home care does not fix the cause.
When is removal recommended?
Dentists advise removal for repeated infection, decay that cannot be treated, damage to the next tooth, cysts, and gum disease around the tooth. An X-ray shows the position and its relationship to nerves and sinuses. Whether to remove a symptom-free impacted wisdom tooth is decided case by case.
What to expect
Removal is done with local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation. Simple extractions are quick; impacted teeth may need a small cut in the gum and sectioning of the tooth. Afterwards, follow the instructions in extraction aftercare. Read about our wisdom tooth care.