Wisdom teeth usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25, right at the back of the mouth. If the jaw doesn't have enough room, the tooth gets stuck part-way or grows in at an angle — that's when problems start.
Warning signs
- Pain and swelling at the back of the gums
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Repeated infection of the gum over the tooth
- Decay or pressure on the neighbouring tooth
When removal is advised
- Repeated infections or pain
- Damage to the neighbouring tooth
- When the tooth can't be kept clean
- A cyst or other problem on the X-ray
Care after extraction
Don't rinse for the first 24 hours, eat cold and soft foods, avoid smoking and straws, and take any medicine exactly as your dentist prescribed.
When to see a dentist
If a back tooth hurts or swells, get an X-ray to see whether the wisdom tooth is coming in properly.