Wisdom teeth are the upper and lower third molars found at the very back of your mouth. These are usually the last teeth to appear. If you are one of those people who commonly need to have them removed, our dentists can help.

What are wisdom teeth?

Most children have 28 of their 32 permanent teeth by age 13. The final teeth – known as wisdom teeth after the time they become visible in the mouth – usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25.

Why do we remove wisdom teeth?

For some people, wisdom teeth appear in the mouth with little or no concerns. For others, wisdom teeth may cause complications and need to be removed. Some of these reasons include: 

• There is no room left in the jaw to fit them in completely.

• One or more of your wisdom teeth are stuck (impacted) against nearby teeth or bone.

• Impacted tooth can grow sideways, emerge only part way from the gum or remain trapped entirely beneath the gum and jaw bone.

• Wisdom teeth may grow too far, causing damage to the cheek and gums.

• You may need to remove wisdom teeth to make more space for other teeth, for example if you have overcrowding.

Pain or swelling in the area are often the first signs of trouble. Food and bacteria can become trapped under the gum and cause infection. When there is crowding or partially erupted teeth, proper brushing and flossing is difficult. This can lead to tooth decay.

Should I have my wisdom teeth removed?

You may need to have an x ray or other scans to confirm if your wisdom teeth are likely to appear without issues. If you already have pain or other symptoms, ask your dentist or orthodontist if you should have your wisdom teeth removed.

In most cases, our dentists will be able to remove your wisdom teeth in our surgery using local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable. For more complex procedures (eg if your wisdom teeth are impacted) we may refer you to see an oral surgeon who may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed in hospital.

Aftercare and recovery

We will provide you with information about how to care for your mouth after the procedure. This will include: 

• How to clean your teeth taking care to avoid any stitches.

• What type of foods to eat to help soothe any soreness.  

• How quickly you should return to normal activities.

• Any signs of complications or symptoms that you may have an infection.

Some minor facial swelling is to be expected after having your wisdom teeth removed but this will settle after a few days. We will check your teeth and gums a few days after your procedure to ensure everything is healing well. The extraction site should be fully healed within three to four weeks.