Wisdom Teeth Removal: Why It's Important and When to Act

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last of your permanent teeth to emerge. They typically appear in your late teens or early 20s, after your other teeth have come in. However, because of this delay, wisdom teeth often become impacted (unable to break through the gums) and can increase the risk of tooth decay or infection. Considering these risks, we typically encourage wisdom teeth removal. 

At SolidSMILES Dental in Lewisville, Texas, Hiral Patel, DDS, has years of experience performing wisdom teeth removal. Keep reading to learn why wisdom teeth can cause problems and when to act to reduce your risk. 

Why wisdom teeth can cause problems

Wisdom teeth increase the risk of oral health problems because they appear years after your other permanent teeth have already settled in and claimed space. Often, there isn’t enough room for wisdom teeth to emerge and grow properly, so they may push against nearby teeth or come in at an angle.

Initially, you might not notice any issues. But as your wisdom teeth continue to emerge, they can cause overcrowding and raise the risk of infection or cyst formation. They’re also harder to reach with a toothbrush or floss, increasing your chance of cavities and gum disease.

Signs it’s time to remove your wisdom teeth

Some people have enough room at the back of their mouth for the wisdom teeth to emerge comfortably. But this is the exception, not the rule. The potential risks of keeping wisdom teeth often outweigh any benefit.

We may recommend wisdom teeth removal if you experience symptoms such as:

• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Bad breath 
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Headaches or sinus pressure

Some people don’t have any noticeable side effects. However, if dental X-rays show that your wisdom teeth are impacted or growing at an angle, we may still recommend removal to prevent future complications.

When and why to act early

Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed, but regular dental checkups and X-rays provide peace of mind and help our team determine the right course of action. We recommend scheduling oral exams and dental cleanings every six months.

If your wisdom teeth begin emerging — or have already done so — we assess their alignment during each visit. This simple check-in helps us identify whether they’re pressing against other teeth or causing problems like overcrowding. 

Taking action early is important because misaligned wisdom teeth can increase the risk of serious issues, including nerve damage, cyst development, and cavities. Research shows that surgical outcomes tend to be better in younger patients. So, if you’re at risk of complications, acting sooner rather than later can help you avoid more complex procedures down the road.

Schedule a wisdom tooth evaluation

If you’re concerned about the alignment of your wisdom teeth or have symptoms like tooth pain or sinus pressure, make an appointment with our caring team. Call SolidSMILES Dental today to schedule a wisdom tooth evaluation or book online.