Wisdom teeth removal isn't likely to be high on your to-do list if they're not bothering you. After all, your wisdom teeth are kind of like the appendix of your mouth: They’re there, but there’s really no reason for them—you can live a totally healthy life without them. Sometimes your wisdom teeth will just, you know, exist in your body without bothering you much. Other times, though, they can unleash utter chaos upon your body. That’s why so many dentists recommend people undergo a wisdom teeth removal procedure, even if their wisdom teeth aren't causing any problems—depending on how your wisdom teeth are situated, they can cause trouble for you and your mouth down the road if you leave them in there. Here’s what to know if you’re considering a wisdom teeth removal.
Why is wisdom teeth removal necessary sometimes?
FWIW, you might not even have the molars (flat teeth in the back of your mouth) known as wisdom teeth. They aren't necessary for your overall chewing ability, so not everyone develops them. But if you do, these four teeth—two on top, two on bottom—are the third and final set of molars you'll get. They usually erupt (which is a very vivid way of saying they’ll push through your gums) when you’re in your late teens or early 20s, the American Dental Association (ADA) says.
Sometimes wisdom teeth can be impacted, which happens when they try to squeeze into a spot where there’s no room, crowding the rest of your teeth, the Mayo Clinic says. This might happen when they grow in at an angle or flat on their sides, or they might stay in their lane but get trapped within the jawbone instead of fully erupting. All of this can lead to complications like pain, fluid-filled cysts, or damage to the nearby teeth or bones, the Mayo Clinic says.
This can also make it harder to clean your teeth properly, which can lead to periodontitis (gum disease) symptoms like swollen and bleeding gums and bad breath. It can even cause difficulty opening your mouth, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The truth is that wisdom teeth can cause discomfort when they come in, even if they do so properly. And if they become infected on top of that, well, you may unfortunately be in for some serious aches and soreness. “When that occurs, there’s no question those teeth have to come out,” Mark S. Wolff, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, tells SELF. To avoid this painful rigmarole, your dentist may recommend having your wisdom teeth removed before they can make trouble, even if you feel totally fine.
If you need your wisdom teeth removed, it really is...wise...to have the procedure done when you’re younger if possible rather than put it off. As you get older, the roots of your teeth form more fully and can make extractions tougher, Dr. Wolff says. You'll also have less vascularity in your jaw, so healing tends to take a little longer, Susan Maples, D.D.S., author of Blabber Mouth! 77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You to Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life, tells SELF. Plus, the longer you leave wisdom teeth in, the greater your chances of developing cysts and abscesses. “Even if one of four [wisdom teeth] acts up in your lifetime, you would be happier to have them out earlier,” Dr. Maples says.
How does wisdom teeth removal work?
Wisdom teeth removal is a surgical procedure to remove one or more of those wisdom teeth, the Mayo Clinic says. The whole process starts with an exam. Whether you’re having pain or not, your dentist will typically want to do an X-ray to see what’s going on with your wisdom teeth, the ADA says—namely, how your wisdom teeth are positioned and how much room you have for them to grow. If you're experiencing symptoms or your dentist foresees problems with your wisdom teeth, you’ll schedule an appointment to actually have them removed. This will be done by either your dentist or an oral surgeon, depending on how your teeth are positioned and how often your dentist actually does this procedure. Make sure you go to someone who knows what they’re doing. While your go-to dentist may be amazing, they also might not do this very often. If they say they typically do a few wisdom teeth removals a month, you should ask for a referral to an oral surgeon, Dr. Maples.
How do I prepare for wisdom teeth removal?
Wisdom tooth removal is almost always done as an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll go home the same day, the Mayo Clinic says. Given that this is still technically surgery, you’ll probably want to take the day off from work ahead of time, Dr. Wolff says.
