Wisdom Teeth Removal: Do You Really Need It? | Two Rocks

Got a dull ache at the back of your jaw that just won't settle? Or maybe you've never had any trouble at all, and you're wondering if your wisdom teeth are secretly causing problems you can't see. Either way, you're asking the right question. At Two Rocks Dental Care, wisdom teeth removal is one of the things locals from Two Rocks, Yanchep and right up Perth's northern coast ask us about most often, and the honest answer is: it depends on your mouth.

Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. Some sit quietly in the back of the jaw for years without causing a single issue. Others cause pain, swelling or decay that keeps coming back until the tooth is removed. This article walks you through the real signs worth watching for, so you know when it's time to book an assessment.

What are wisdom teeth, anyway?

Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come through, right at the back of your mouth. Wisdom teeth are the molars that come through last and furthest back in your mouth, usually in your late teens or early 20s. Most people get four of them, two on top and two on the bottom, though some people have more, fewer, or even none at all.

By the time these teeth try to come through, your jaw has usually finished growing. That means there's often not enough room left for them, which is where the trouble can start.

Signs your wisdom teeth might need attention

Here are the signs we most often hear about from patients:

• A dull ache or pressure at the back of the jaw that won't go away
• Swollen, red or tender gums around the back molars
• A bad taste or smell that doesn't clear up with brushing
• Pain or difficulty when opening your mouth wide or chewing
• Swelling that comes and goes, sometimes alongside a mild fever
• Food that keeps getting stuck in the same spot at the back of your mouth

Early signs may include pain or pressure at the back of the mouth, swollen or irritated gums, jaw stiffness, bad breath, or discomfort near neighbouring teeth, and even mild or recurring symptoms are worth checking. Problems don't always show up as obvious pain straight away. Sometimes they build slowly in the background before you notice anything is wrong.

Why wisdom teeth cause trouble in the first place

Most problems come down to space and access. When a wisdom tooth doesn't have room to come through properly, it can grow in at an angle, or only partly break through the gum. Dentists call this an impacted tooth.

Some wisdom teeth only partially erupt, coming in at an angle due to a lack of room in the mouth and getting stuck against nearby teeth, bone or gum, which is called impaction and can cause problems from pain and infection to cysts and ulcers, and can also make the tooth very difficult to brush, meaning food and bacteria can build up and cause decay. The spot is hard to see and even harder to clean properly with a toothbrush, which is exactly why problems tend to return again and again until the tooth is dealt with.

When removal is usually recommended

Every mouth is different, and we always look at your situation individually rather than following a one-size-fits-all rule. That said, there are a few common reasons dentists recommend taking a wisdom tooth out.

Repeated pain or infection

Your dentist may advise you to have your wisdom teeth removed if you're experiencing repeated infections and/or pain, you have tooth decay in the area or are at risk of developing it, there's damage to other teeth around your wisdom teeth, or you have a cyst or tumour near or around the tooth. If this sounds familiar, especially if it's been happening more than once, it's worth getting it checked rather than waiting it out.

Decay that can't be reached or fixed

Because the back of the mouth is so hard to clean, decay often creeps in without much warning. If it's gone too far for a filling to help, removal may be the more sensible option.

Crowding or pressure on other teeth

If a wisdom tooth is pushing against the tooth next to it, it can cause pain and, over time, damage that tooth too. This is one of the reasons dentists like to keep an eye on wisdom teeth through your late teens and twenties, well before symptoms show up.

When it's fine to just keep watching

Not every wisdom tooth needs to go. Not all wisdom teeth need removal, and removal is usually recommended when the teeth are painful, repeatedly infected, decayed, damaging the tooth in front, or too difficult to clean and maintain, while monitoring is reasonable when the teeth are quiet, healthy and easy to keep clean. If your wisdom teeth have come through fully, sit in a good position and you can clean around them easily, there may be nothing to do but keep an eye on them at your regular check-ups.

How we check your wisdom teeth

A proper look starts with an exam in the chair, but because wisdom teeth often sit below the gum line or behind other teeth, we also need to see what's happening underneath. 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.

This X-ray lets us see the position of the tooth, how the roots are shaped, and how close it sits to nerves or your sinuses. From there, we talk you through what we're seeing and lay out your options honestly, including the pros and cons of each, so you're the one making the final call.

If a tooth does need to come out, we remove many wisdom teeth here in the chair under local anaesthetic when it's suitable for your situation. For more complex cases, such as teeth with awkward root shapes or deep impaction, we'll talk with you about a referral to an oral surgeon.

What about the pain, before and after?

If you're dealing with discomfort right now, simple pain relief can help in the short term. Follow the directions on the pack, or ask your pharmacist what's suitable for you. Rinsing gently with warm, salty water can also ease irritated gum tissue.

If you notice spreading facial swelling, a fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding that won't stop, that's not something to wait on. Head to a hospital emergency department straight away. For everything else, a dental check-up is the right next step, and you can choose a time online that suits you.

Don't forget the rest of your smile

While you're getting your wisdom teeth checked, it's a good time to stay on top of everything else too. A regular Active Maintenance clean helps keep the rest of your mouth free of the plaque and build-up that can lead to gum trouble, and it's far easier to manage than catching a problem late. If you've also been putting off other issues, like a chipped tooth or something that needs a tooth-coloured filling, a check-up is a good chance to deal with it all in one visit.

Frequently asked questions

At what age do wisdom teeth usually cause problems?

Wisdom teeth usually come through in your late teens or early 20s. This is often when problems first show up, since the jaw has generally stopped growing by then and there may not be enough room for the teeth to come through properly.

Can I leave a wisdom tooth alone if it doesn't hurt?

Sometimes, yes. If the tooth has come through fully, sits in a good position and you can clean around it easily, it may be fine to simply monitor it at your regular check-ups rather than remove it straight away.

Does wisdom tooth removal always need a hospital visit?

Wisdom teeth can be extracted in the dentist's chair with a local anaesthetic or in a hospital, depending on things like the difficulty of removal and the level of impaction. Many straightforward cases can be managed in the chair, while more complex teeth may need a referral to an oral surgeon.

Will my health fund help cover the cost?

That depends on your policy and extras cover, so it's worth checking directly with your fund. As a preferred provider for HBF, HCF and nib, we can process your claim on the spot through HICAPS, and we always give you a written quote with item numbers first so you know what to check with your fund.

What happens if I ignore ongoing wisdom tooth pain?

Infection may keep coming back if the problem tooth isn't removed, and the longer you wait or delay, the more problems and damage that might result to the nearby teeth. It's always better to get it checked early rather than wait for things to get worse.

If you've been putting up with jaw ache, swelling or a nagging feeling that something's not right at the back of your mouth, let's take a proper look. Give Two Rocks Dental Care a call on (08) 9502 9040, or book a check-up online and we'll talk you through exactly what we see and what your options are, honestly and without any pressure.