Wisdom tooth

Wisdom teeth are the third molars, the last teeth to come through at the very back of the mouth. Most people have four, one in each corner, and they typically appear in the late teens or early twenties, which is later than the rest of the adult teeth. Some people have fewer wisdom teeth, or none at all, which is also normal.

Because they arrive last, there is not always enough room left in the jaw for them to come through properly, and this is where the issues that wisdom teeth are known for can arise.

When there is not enough space, a wisdom tooth may become impacted, meaning it cannot fully come through and may stay partly or fully below the gum, sometimes at an angle. A partly erupted wisdom tooth can be hard to clean, which can lead to decay or to inflammation of the surrounding gum.

Not every wisdom tooth causes trouble, though. Many come through without issue and need no special attention. Whether a particular wisdom tooth is likely to cause problems depends on its position and the space available.

A dentist can assess wisdom teeth with an examination and, where helpful, x-rays to see their position and the surrounding bone. Where a wisdom tooth is causing problems or is likely to, removal may be advised; where it is healthy and causing no trouble, it may simply be monitored. There is no single answer that applies to everyone.

If you have discomfort, swelling or difficulty cleaning at the back of the mouth, it is worth having it looked at so the cause can be identified and the options explained.

Removal tends to be considered where a wisdom tooth is causing problems or is judged likely to. Common reasons include repeated episodes of inflammation or infection around a partly erupted tooth, decay that is difficult to treat because of the position, or a tooth that is affecting its neighbour.

Equally, a healthy wisdom tooth that is fully through and easy to clean may need nothing at all, and one that is fully buried and causing no trouble is often simply monitored. The decision rests on the individual situation, which a dentist assesses with an examination and, where helpful, x-rays.

Whether or not a wisdom tooth is removed, keeping the area clean is important, because it sits right at the back where brushing is harder. Taking a little extra care to clean around partly erupted wisdom teeth can help reduce the inflammation that sometimes affects them.

If a wisdom tooth is removed, the dental team will give specific aftercare advice for the days that follow. If it is being kept and monitored, routine check-ups let the dentist keep an eye on it over time.