Do You Need Wisdom Teeth Removed? Signs to Watch For

If the back of your jaw has been aching, or you keep noticing a sore spot you can't quite reach with your toothbrush, you might be wondering whether it's time to deal with your wisdom teeth. It's one of the most common questions we hear at Two Rocks Dental Care. The honest answer is that not every wisdom tooth needs to come out, but some definitely do, and knowing the difference starts with understanding what's going on back there.

This guide walks you through the usual signs, what causes the trouble in the first place, and what your options look like if removal turns out to be the right call for you.

What are wisdom teeth and why do they cause problems?

Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to come through, usually turning up in your late teens or early twenties. Most people have four, one in each corner of the mouth, though some people have fewer.

They normally come through in your late teens or early twenties. By the time they arrive, your jaw has already finished growing, so there often isn't quite enough room for them. That's when things can get tricky.

Some wisdom teeth do not come through fully and get stuck against other teeth or bone, which often leaves a flap of gum over the tooth. Others grow in at an angle, or only partly break through the gum. Wisdom teeth in your lower jaw take longer to come through and are more likely to be impacted, which makes repeated infections more likely.

Signs your wisdom teeth might need attention

Every mouth is different, but a few patterns come up again and again. None of these on their own means you definitely need wisdom teeth removal, but they're worth getting checked:

• Dull ache or sharp pain at the very back of your jaw
• Swelling or redness in the gum behind your last molar
• A bad taste or breath that doesn't go away with brushing
• Difficulty opening your mouth fully, or jaw stiffness
• Food that keeps getting trapped in the same spot, no matter how carefully you clean
• Your back teeth feeling crowded or your bite feeling slightly different

If you notice any of these, it's worth booking a check-up rather than waiting to see if it settles on its own. Problems with wisdom teeth tend to come and go, quiet for a while and then flaring up again, which can make it tempting to put off dealing with it.

When wisdom teeth are usually left alone

Plenty of wisdom teeth never cause any bother at all. If yours have come through straight, sit in a position you can clean properly, and aren't pushing on anything else, there's often no reason to remove them.

In these cases we simply keep an eye on them at your regular check-ups and hygiene visits. If you'd like to stay on top of your general dental health while we watch how your wisdom teeth are developing, our general dentistry and check-ups are a good place to start.

When removal is usually the better option

There are a few situations where taking the tooth out tends to be the safer path. A wisdom tooth may need to be removed for one or more of a number of reasons. These generally include repeated infections around the tooth, decay that's too far back to fill properly, a cyst forming near an impacted tooth, or damage building up in the molar sitting next to it.

Wisdom teeth can sometimes cause serious problems, and removing a wisdom tooth is usually a safe and effective way to prevent your symptoms from coming back. If removal keeps getting put off and the tooth keeps causing trouble, your symptoms may get worse or come back, and you may be at risk of getting a serious, life-threatening infection. That's rare, but it's the reason dentists don't like to leave a clearly problematic wisdom tooth sitting there indefinitely.

How we assess your wisdom teeth

A proper assessment starts with a look in your mouth and a chat about what you've been noticing. From there, an X-ray gives us the full picture of what's happening under the gum.

At Two Rocks Dental Care we take an OPG, a panoramic X-ray that shows your whole jaw in one image, right here at the practice. That means you don't need a separate trip somewhere else just to get the imaging done before we can talk through your options.

Once we can see the position of the tooth, its roots, and how close it sits to nerves or your sinus, we'll talk you through what we're seeing. We explain the pros and cons of each path, whether that's monitoring, a simple extraction, or a referral, so you're the one making the final call.

What happens if removal is needed

Most upper wisdom teeth can be removed easily under a local anaesthetic, while lower wisdom teeth can be more difficult to remove. Many straightforward cases can be handled right here in the chair. You can read more about how we remove wisdom teeth here in the chair when the tooth and its position allow for it.

For more complex impactions, we'll talk with you about a referral to an oral surgeon. We'll always explain why, and what the referral involves, before sending you anywhere.

Looking after yourself afterwards

However your extraction happens, a little soreness and swelling in the days afterwards is normal. Follow the instructions you're given, stick to soft food for a few days, and avoid smoking or using a straw, since both can disturb the healing clot in the socket.

For pain relief, follow the directions on the pack or ask your pharmacist what's suitable for you. If pain gets noticeably worse a couple of days after it should be settling, or you notice a bad taste and an empty-feeling socket, give us a call so we can check it.

Seek urgent care at a hospital emergency department if you develop spreading facial swelling, a fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding that won't stop with firm pressure. These situations are uncommon, but they're the ones to act on straight away rather than wait out.

Frequently asked questions

Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?

No. Plenty of wisdom teeth come through straight, sit in a cleanable spot, and never cause any trouble. Removal is usually only recommended when a tooth is painful, repeatedly infected, decayed, or damaging the tooth next to it.

How do I know if my wisdom tooth is impacted?

You can't always tell just by feel. An impacted tooth is one that's blocked from coming through properly by bone, gum, or another tooth, and it usually needs an X-ray to confirm. That's exactly what an OPG at our practice is designed to show.

Can wisdom teeth cause pain even without infection?

Yes. Pressure from a tooth trying to push through, or crowding against your other molars, can cause a dull ache even when there's no obvious infection. It's still worth getting checked, since the underlying cause can progress quietly.

Is it normal for wisdom tooth symptoms to come and go?

It's actually quite common. Pain and swelling can settle down for weeks or months before flaring up again. That pattern on its own is a good reason to get it looked at rather than waiting for the next flare-up.

Will I need a referral to an oral surgeon?

Not always. Many straightforward cases are managed in the chair. More complex impactions, or teeth sitting close to a nerve, are the ones we'd usually discuss referring on, always explaining why first.

If you've been putting up with soreness at the back of your jaw, or you just haven't had your wisdom teeth checked in a while, there's no need to drive down to Joondalup for it. Two Rocks Dental Care is right here for Two Rocks, Yanchep and the rest of Perth's northern coast, inside the Jupiter Health Two Rocks Medical Centre at 6 Constellation Entrance, with its own dental entrance and parking on site. Give us a call on (08) 9502 9040, or choose a time online to have your wisdom teeth assessed properly.