When is Wisdom Teeth Removal Necessary?

Having our wisdom teeth removed is a question almost everyone needs to ask themselves eventually. The question is when! For a lucky few, wisdom teeth come in with no problems and can be treated like regular molars. But for many people, they can cause pain and problems for the other teeth in the mouth.

Wisdom teeth are typically only removed if they are causing problems. For example, overcrowding your other teeth causing pain and other dental related problems. Dentists use x-rays to scan your mouth and jaw, which can help with predicting wisdom teeth problems in the future. Sometimes, they are removed as a preventative measure due to what dentists can see in the x-rays.

Dentists would often recommend that you remove wisdom teeth between the ages of 16 and 19. As you get older, it gets more difficult to remove them as the bones in your mouth become harder as you age. Removing wisdom teeth when you are younger, before they have had time to develop roots, will make the operation easier as well.

Here are some reasons it is necessary to remove wisdom teeth:

Impacted Wisdom Teeth


Sometimes, wisdom teeth can stay hidden inside your jaw and become impacted. They do not have enough space to emerge from the gums and develop normally. This can cause a host of other problems like cysts and tumors. You will also feel jaw pain, have sensitive and swollen gums, and perhaps difficulty opening your mouth. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth might not show any symptoms but dentists and oral surgeons may recommend you have them removed, just in case.

Incorrectly Grown Wisdom Teeth


Wisdom teeth can grow incorrectly; for example, they may only emerge partly through the gums, which creates a passage for bacteria to get inside your body. Because they are oddly shaped, they are often difficult to clean and this increases the chances of bacteria, causing gum disease or infections.

Overcrowding Nearby Teeth

If wisdom teeth do not have the proper space when they grow out, they will cause crowding or damage other teeth. These wisdom teeth cannot be corrected with braces, and there is no procedure to make your teeth fit together. The only option would be to have them removed.

If you choose to postpone getting your wisdom teeth removed, you should visit your dentist if you feel any of the following symptoms:

  • Pain in your mouth or jaw.
  • Repeated infections in the soft tissue at the back of your mouth.
  • Gum disease.
  • Extensive tooth decay and cavities.
  • Inflamed gums.
  • Sinus issues.
  • Difficulty eating, pain while eating.
  • Your teeth are not straight, your teeth are shifting positions.

Whatever condition your mouth and teeth might be in, making regular visits to your dentists here at Grand Bend Family Dental can prevent many major dental problems. Having healthy dental habits with a healthy diet will do wonders for your dental health. If you have any questions or concerns about you or your family’s wisdom teeth removal, please contact us today.