When should wisdom teeth be checked, and do they need to come out?

Wisdom teeth usually come through between the ages of 17 and 21, and Dr Davies normally assesses them between 18 and 21. X-rays taken at check-ups let a dentist follow them over time. A wisdom tooth that comes through properly and causes no problems does not need to come out.

In short

• Wisdom teeth usually come through between the ages of 17 and 21, so a 17-year-old can have them.
• Dr Davies normally assesses wisdom teeth between the ages of 18 and 21, and X-rays at check-ups let their development be followed.
• A wisdom tooth that has come through properly and causes no problems does not need to come out.
• Pain, swelling, a bad taste, a sore gum or decay mean a check is needed sooner.
• Only an examination and an X-ray can show whether a particular wisdom tooth should be removed.

This article is part of the extractions and wisdom teeth information on this site for patients in Cape Town.

At what age do wisdom teeth come through, and can you get them at 17?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through, at the back of the mouth. The South African Dental Association (SADA) and the American Dental Association say they usually appear between the ages of 17 and 21. The NHS in the United Kingdom says they usually start in the teens or early twenties and can cause problems at any age. So a 17-year-old can have them.

How can a dentist keep an eye on wisdom teeth?

A dentist looks at your mouth and uses X-rays to check how your wisdom teeth are positioned. Dr Davies takes X-rays at a general check-up every 12 to 18 months, so the development of the wisdom teeth can be followed over time. She normally assesses them between 18 and 21, which fits the usual age at which they come through. How often should you go to the dentist? explains how often to book a check-up.

Do wisdom teeth need to come out?

Not always. The NHS says a wisdom tooth that is not causing problems is usually left where it is and watched at routine check-ups. A dentist may advise removal when a tooth is blocked by another tooth or partly covered by gum. Removal may also be advised when a tooth causes gum infection, trapped food, decay or gum disease. SADA adds that some dentists recommend removing a wisdom tooth before it has fully come through, to prevent problems. The decision depends on the tooth, not on a set age. SADA says everyone’s mouth is different, and only a dentist can decide.

Simple extractions, including wisdom teeth, are done at the practice under local anaesthetic. A more complicated extraction is referred to a maxillofacial and oral surgeon, after Dr Davies, as the general dentist, has assessed it. See Who removes wisdom teeth, a dentist or an oral surgeon? for more on that choice, and the extractions and wisdom teeth page for what removal involves.

Which signs mean a wisdom tooth should be checked sooner?

A little discomfort is common when a wisdom tooth comes through. Do not wait for your next check-up if you notice:

• pain that is strong or keeps coming back
• swelling of the gum, cheek or jaw
• a bad taste in your mouth
• a red, sore gum over a tooth that has only partly come through
• food that keeps getting stuck at the back, or a tooth that looks decayed

The article on wisdom tooth pain explains what helps while you wait to be seen. If you are in pain now, see the dental emergency guidance.

What can a parent do?

• Keep check-ups regular, because the examinations and X-rays happen then. When should a child first see a dentist? covers how that starts.
• Ask your teenager to tell you about pain, swelling or a bad taste.
• Encourage careful cleaning at the back of the mouth. The American Dental Association advises flossing around the wisdom teeth.

When should I contact a dentist, and when should I go to a hospital emergency unit?

See a dentist as soon as you can if toothache lasts more than two days or does not ease with painkillers. Do the same if it comes with a high temperature, a red gum, a bad taste or a swollen cheek or jaw. Go to a hospital emergency unit instead if the area around your eye or neck is swollen. Go there too if swelling in your mouth or neck makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak. Do not drive yourself. Ask someone to drive you or call an ambulance. The dental emergency guidance and the article on facial swelling from a tooth explain these signs.

How do I reach Dr Davies?

To arrange a wisdom tooth check, call Dr Davies directly on her own mobile, which is shown on this page. Dr Davies treats adults and children at BRS Dental, 12th floor of The Felix, 58 Strand Street, in the Cape Town city centre. The practice is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 17:00 and on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00. This page gives general information and does not replace an examination.