Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come through, usually between the ages of 17 and 25, and they almost always arrive with the same question attached: do they have to come out no matter what? The short answer is no. At Semedi Odontología, our dental clinic in El Corte Inglés in Málaga, we explain when it makes sense to remove them, when they can stay and how the decision is made in each case.
Why wisdom teeth cause so many headaches
The problem isn’t usually the tooth itself, but the moment it appears. Because wisdom teeth arrive late, when the rest of your teeth are already in place, they often don’t find enough room in the mouth. That’s where the trouble starts: they come through halfway, get stuck or push against their neighbours.
That’s why there’s no single rule that works for everyone. Some mouths have room for them without any problem and in others every millimetre counts.
When wisdom teeth can stay
Removing them isn’t compulsory. If your wisdom teeth meet these three conditions, the usual thing is to leave them where they are:
- They have come through in the right position, in place and without pressing on the teeth next to them.
- They are healthy, with no decay or other damage.
- You can clean them without difficulty with your daily brushing.
In that case they are just another molar: simply look after them like the rest and keep an eye on them at your check-ups.
When removing wisdom teeth is recommended
Extraction is considered when the tooth stops being just another tooth and starts causing problems. These are the situations in which it is recommended:
- They never fully come through. They stay trapped in the bone or the gum and never take their place.
- They cause recurring pain or infections. If the discomfort keeps coming back, the tooth is causing trouble.
- They push against or damage the tooth next to them. Here, extraction protects the neighbouring tooth.
- They have decay or are impossible to clean properly. Being so far back, sometimes the brush can’t reach and the tooth becomes a source of problems.
Check-up and X-ray: how the decision is made
To know which group your wisdom teeth fall into, looking in the mirror isn’t enough. You need a check-up and an X-ray. With it we can see their position and whether they are going to cause trouble or can stay put.
With that information, your dentist explains which option makes most sense in your case: leaving them and monitoring them, or considering extraction.
Wisdom teeth extraction under local anaesthetic
It’s the most frequently asked question, and the answer is reassuring: the extraction itself doesn’t hurt, because it is done under local anaesthetic.
Afterwards it is normal to feel some discomfort and swelling for a few days. This is managed with the instructions and medication your dentist prescribes, so you don’t go through the recovery in the dark.
Your check-up at Semedi Odontología, in El Corte Inglés in Málaga
If you feel discomfort at the back of your mouth or simply want to know how your wisdom teeth are coming along, the most sensible thing is to clear up your doubts with a check-up. We assess each case calmly before deciding anything, and we only consider extraction when it is truly needed.
Frequently asked questions about wisdom teeth
If a wisdom tooth doesn’t hurt, do I have to have it removed?
Not necessarily. Pain isn’t the only criterion: what matters is whether it is well positioned, healthy and whether you can clean it. A tooth that doesn’t bother you but is trapped or pressing on the one next to it may also need extraction. That’s why the decision is made with a check-up and an X-ray.
Do all four have to come out at once?
Not necessarily. The criteria are applied to each tooth separately: one may be perfectly positioned while another is stuck in the gum. The check-up assesses each tooth.
What if I’m over 25 and they still haven’t come through?
They usually come through between the ages of 17 and 25, but every mouth goes at its own pace. If they haven’t appeared, the X-ray shows where they are and whether they are trapped in the bone, which is what helps you decide with your dentist.
