By the time your wisdom teeth show up, you’re supposedly “wise” enough…which I’m not sure is accurate. Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a rite of passage in some ways. At least one person in your family would have a memory of getting ice-cream afterwards.

If your wisdom tooth is healthy, growing normally, and easy to keep clean, there may be no reason to remove it. But if it looks like a troublemaker, it may be time to consider taking it out.

What Exactly Is a Wisdom Tooth?

Wisdom teeth are your third molars, the very last teeth at the back of your mouth.

They usually begin coming in during the late teens or early twenties, which is probably where the whole “wisdom” idea came from. By this point, though, your mouth may already be at full capacity.

A wisdom tooth might come in normally, grow at an angle, remain partially covered by gum, or stay completely buried in the jawbone. It can also grow sideways and press against the molar in front of it.

Why Do We Even Have Wisdom Teeth?

Our ancestors generally had tougher, coarser diets that required a lot of chewing. Having an extra set of molars could have been useful for processing foods such as roots, nuts, and other hard or fibrous foods.

Over time, human jaws became smaller while our diets and food preparation changed. That means there may not always be enough room for those third molars to fit comfortably.

They’re like old equipment that your dad keeps “just in case.”

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Cause So Many Problems?

The biggest issue is often the lack of space.

Think back when you were stuffed into a tiny room with three roommates in college. A wisdom tooth that doesn’t have enough room to fully erupt can become impacted, meaning it is blocked from coming into its normal position.

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Do I need to remove all of my wisdom teeth?

If a wisdom tooth has come in properly, is healthy, doesn’t cause pain or infection, and can be kept clean, your dentist may recommend simply monitoring it. After all, why remove a tooth that is behaving perfectly well?

However, there are several situations where your dentist might recommend removal.

Cavities

Wisdom teeth are way, way back there in the deep caves. Even if you’re an excellent brusher, reaching them can be difficult. When a wisdom tooth is hard to clean, plaque and food can build up, giving cavities an environment to thrive in.

Gum Inflammation and Infection

A partially erupted wisdom tooth can leave a small space between the tooth and the surrounding gum. Food and bacteria can become trapped there, leading to inflammation or infection.

You might notice:

Swelling
Tender or painful gums
Bad breath
An unpleasant taste
Difficulty opening your mouth

If the same area keeps getting inflamed every few months, that’s something worth discussing with your dentist.

Damage to the Neighboring Tooth

Sometimes a wisdom tooth grows toward the molar next to it instead of straight up.

This can make the area difficult to clean and, depending on the position of the wisdom tooth, may contribute to decay or damage to the neighboring tooth.

“But My Wisdom Tooth Doesn’t Hurt!”

Doesn’t matter. Some wisdom teeth can cause problems without giving you much warning. As parents fear children when they are too quiet, your wisdom teeth may cause harm that you didn’t feel.

That’s why your dentist may request an X-ray, to get a better look at the tooth’s position and what is happening around it.

Final Thoughts

Wisdom teeth aren’t automatically bad teeth. If they’re healthy, positioned properly, and easy to keep clean, there may be no reason to remove them.

And if your dentist recommends removal, don’t panic. You may be a little sore afterward, but you may have a perfectly valid excuse to eat ice cream for a few days. But note that the extraction is to prevent a small problem from escalating.

Do You Really Need to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?