4 Signs It's Time for Wisdom Tooth Removal

Quick, what’s the common name for your third set of molars?

For those of you who didn’t go to dental school, your third set of molars is commonly known as your wisdom teeth. They usually don’t appear in your mouth until ages 17-21, although they can show up earlier or later.

But don’t get too attached to them. It’s common for dentists or oral surgeons to want to remove wisdom teeth as soon as they come in — a procedure experienced by about 5 million people in the United States each year. 

But how do you know if you should have your wisdom teeth removed? At Smile Design Manhattan in New York City, we remove plenty of wisdom teeth quickly and painlessly each year. Here are four signs we frequently see that tell us it’s time for wisdom tooth removal.

1. Jaw pain

The most obvious sign is pain in the back of your mouth where that set of molars comes in. If you consistently feel pain when eating, brushing your teeth, talking, or even doing nothing, it’s time to see your dentist. The same goes if you notice abnormal sensitivity in the area.

2. Swollen gums

When wisdom teeth come in, they often make your gums feel swollen, tight, irritated, and inflamed. They can feel sore to the touch, making brushing and flossing difficult.

This kind of swelling often doesn’t go away, because your wisdom teeth may be moving in the wrong direction. That means they’re not breaking through your gums correctly, which means the swelling and pain might continue if the teeth aren’t removed.

3. Crowded teeth

The problem with wisdom teeth is they’re typically larger than other teeth, so many mouths don’t have room for them. If not removed, wisdom teeth can pressure the teeth beside them, causing them to move and leading to crooked teeth.

Once we remove your wisdom teeth, the rest of your teeth have room to stay straight.

4. Cysts in your mouth

If your wisdom teeth come in and cause issues you ignore, they may eventually kick things up a notch to get your attention — cysts develop around your wisdom teeth. 

These fluid-filled sacs can damage and pose problems for the rest of your teeth, causing pain, tenderness, and inflammation.

If you’re noticing these signs, let us help. Our team at Smile Design Manhattan has the experience and skill to extract your wisdom teeth safely. To book an appointment, call our Midtown West office at 646-278-4579 or use our online scheduler today.