Who hasn’t dreaded a trip to the dentist, for the removal of wisdom teeth? Chances are, many of us have! But what are wisdom teeth, and why do they often need to be removed? Here’s all you need to know about them.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last of the permanent teeth to grow in. They usually erupt during the late teens or early twenties (often between the ages of 15 and 25), and since wisdom is generally associated with age, the name ‘wisdom teeth’. They are also known as third molars and they are located at the very back of the mouth. Not everyone gets wisdom teeth. There are four wisdom teeth in all — two on top and two at the bottom — but not all may erupt.
Do we need wisdom teeth?
In general, most people do not need wisdom teeth. They are often considered vestigeal –which means that they once served a purpose but over time, no longer do so. It is believed that our ancestors needed them as their diet was tougher, with more raw and hard components, and the wisdom teeth then would have been useful to grind food. However, with modern cooked food, the use of utensils and our jaws becoming smaller through evolutionary changes, they may no longer serve a useful purpose.
Why do wisdom teeth cause problems?
Wisdom teeth cause problems primarily because there often isn’t enough room in the mouth for them. This means that they can get trapped underneath your gums or bone tissue — a condition known as impacted wisdom teeth — and this in turn, can cause problems including pain, gum disease, tooth decay, infections, cavities and damage to nearby teeth. Since they are located right at the back of the mouth, they may be hard to clean, and this also, may lead to problems.
Wisdom teeth can be partially or fully impacted. Partially impacted wisdom teeth are visible, as they have erupted to some degree, while fully impacted wisdom teeth are completely buried underneath the gums.
Signs and symptoms
If the wisdom teeth are growing normally, they can generally be left alone. But if they are misaligned, growing improperly or at the wrong angle, or they are impacted, they may have to be removed. Impacted wisdom teeth are a very common problem.
There may not always be symptoms due to impacted wisdom teeth. Some symptoms that may be experienced include: pain in the jaw or face, swollen, red or bleeding gums, bad breath, food getting stuck, difficulty opening the mouth all the way, an unpleasant taste in the mouth or an infection in the mouth.
Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause complications such as cysts (fluid-filled sacs that build up around the tooth), tumours, tooth decay, jaw and gum disease and dental abscesses.
Diagnosis and treatment
Dentists or oral surgeons will examine your mouth to check for impacted wisdom teeth. Dental x-rays may be required.
When it comes to non-symptom causing impacted wisdom teeth, some dental experts believe that they should be removed anyway, especially when patients are young, as it’s often hard to clean wisdom teeth properly, removing them prevents future problems, and the surgery is generally safe and well-tolerated in young people. Others, however, believe that they may not cause problems in the future and it is not therefore, necessary to undergo a surgical procedure and that conservative management is better, with regular check-ups to monitor the teeth.
If, however, the impacted wisdom teeth are causing infections or dental damage, extraction may be recommended.
What does extraction involve?
Surgery involves going under local or general anaesthesia. The dental or oral surgeon will make a cut in the gum, over the tooth, remove connective tissue, move bone, if any, that is blocking access to the tooth and then remove the impacted tooth. The tooth may be removed in one piece or more. The gum is incision is then stitched and closed. Generally, these procedures are performed as out-patient services and patients can go home the same day. It is important to follow all instructions given by your healthcare provider following the surgery, in order to ensure a complete recovery.
Oral hygiene
Practicing good oral hygiene is essential not just for healthy teeth and gums, but for overall health too. Regular dental check-ups must also be undertaken. Good oral hygiene includes:
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Brushing your teeth at least twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush
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Flossing, to remove food, debris and plaque, at least once daily
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Brushing your tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper
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Cutting down on sugar intake
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Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol
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Having regular dental check-ups
Published – December 16, 2025 10:02 pm IST