Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to come through, usually appearing in the late teens or early twenties. For some people, they grow without causing issues. For others, they can lead to discomfort, infection, or pressure on nearby teeth.
Knowing the early signs that your wisdom teeth may need assessment can help you decide when to see a dentist for wisdom teeth before problems become more serious.
Let’s learn more about it through this blog, as we explain the common warning signs, why a wisdom teeth check up matters, and when wisdom teeth removal or wisdom teeth extraction may be discussed.
Why Wisdom Teeth Are More Likely to Cause Issues
Wisdom teeth are more likely to cause problems because they erupt later than all other adult teeth, usually between the late teens and early twenties. By this time, the jaw has often stopped growing, which means there may not be enough space for these teeth to come through properly.
When space is limited, wisdom teeth may:
- Grow at an angle toward the neighbouring tooth
- Only partially breaks through the gum
- Remain fully trapped beneath the gum or jawbone
Because of those positions, food particles and bacteria can easily collect around partially erupted teeth, which also increases the risk of gum inflammation and infection. These positions can create areas that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush or floss.
Wisdom teeth that are angled or impacted can also place pressure on nearby teeth or irritate the surrounding gum tissue over time. In some cases, problems develop slowly and without obvious pain at first.
Because of these risks, dentists often recommend monitoring wisdom teeth even when there are no clear symptoms. Regular assessments help identify changes early and allow your dentist to decide whether continued observation, preventive care, or further treatment is appropriate.
Now that we understand why wisdom teeth are more likely to develop issues, let’s look at the early signs to watch for when your wisdom teeth need assessment.
Early Signs You Need to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Assessed
Persistent or Repeating Pain at the Back of the Mouth
One of the earliest wisdom tooth pain symptoms is discomfort at the back of the jaw. However, this kind of pain may be subtle. Some patients often describe the pain as dull, pressure-like, or achy rather than sharp.
It may:
- Come and go over weeks or months
- Flare up when chewing
- Spread toward the ear or jaw
Ongoing pain is often a sign that the tooth is struggling to erupt properly and should be assessed before it worsens.
Swollen or Irritated Gums Around a Wisdom Tooth
Swollen gums around a wisdom tooth can indicate irritation caused by trapped food or bacteria. This often happens when the tooth has only partially erupted.
Check your wisdom teeth if you have:
- Red or puffy gum tissue
- Bleeding when brushing near the area
- Tenderness when touching the gum
The area where the wisdom teeth sit is difficult to clean, which is why inflammation can return repeatedly without professional care.
Signs of Wisdom Tooth Infection (Pericoronitis)
When bacteria build up under the gum flap covering a partially erupted wisdom tooth, it can lead to wisdom tooth infection (pericoronitis).
The signs you may need to look out for include:
- Increasing pain or swelling
- A bad taste or discharge
- Difficulty chewing
- Feeling unwell in more advanced cases
With early dental assessment, the signs of pericoronitis may be reduced and the risk of infection spreading to nearby tissues.
Jaw Stiffness or Difficulty Opening the Mouth
Jaw stiffness and wisdom teeth issues often occur together when inflammation affects the surrounding muscles or joints. In some cases, this can lead to difficulty opening the mouth or lockjaw (trismus).
This stiffness may:
- Make eating uncomfortable
- Cause tension when speaking
- Signal deeper inflammation that needs attention
If you feel that you have restricted jaw movement, it’s best to have it checked and assessed by a dentist to work on the symptoms while it’s still early.
Ongoing Bad Breath or Unpleasant Taste
Persistent bad breath and wisdom teeth problems may be linked when bacteria accumulate around hard-to-reach wisdom teeth. So, make sure you’re able to reach the wisdom teeth areas at the back of your mouth when your wisdom teeth are already growing.
However, if brushing and mouthwash don’t help, it may be due to:
- Food trapped beneath the gum
- Plaque build-up around a partially erupted tooth
- Early infection
That’s why it’s best to check in with a dentist.
Pressure or Discomfort Near Other Teeth
As wisdom teeth try to erupt, they may place pressure on neighbouring teeth, especially if they are angled or impacted.
This pressure can cause:
- Discomfort near the back molars
- A tight or crowded feeling
- Occasional jaw soreness
Not everyone experiences tooth movement. However, if you feel that there is already pressure, this is one reason dentists recommend monitoring wisdom teeth early on.
Does Everyone Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Now that we already know the signs when it’s best to get wisdom teeth assessments, does everyone need to have their wisdom teeth removed? While there are many people who get their wisdom teeth removed, not everyone needs wisdom teeth removal.
Some wisdom teeth erupt fully, sit in a healthy position, and can be cleaned like any other tooth. Because of that, it’s easier to maintain with brushing and flossing, which then keeps these wisdom teeth healthy.
With a dental assessment, your dentist will have to check:
- Your symptoms
- Tooth position
- Infection risk
- Impact on surrounding teeth
Like any type of dental treatment, wisdom teeth extraction should be based on individual need, and not routine removal.
Early Assessment Can Prevent Bigger Problems
Recognising the early signs you need to get your wisdom teeth removed allows problems to be addressed before pain or infection escalates. In many cases, early assessment means simpler management and better long-term outcomes.
If you’re experiencing symptoms or would like a professional opinion, MySolutions Dental Clinic provides wisdom teeth check-ups and extractions in Crows Nest, NSW.
Book a consultation with our team to check if you need a wisdom teeth extraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the early signs that my wisdom teeth need assessment?
Early signs may include pain or pressure at the back of the mouth, swollen or irritated gums, jaw stiffness, bad breath, or discomfort near neighbouring teeth. Even mild or recurring symptoms are worth checking.
2. When should I see a dentist for wisdom teeth?
You should book a wisdom teeth check up if you notice ongoing pain, repeated gum swelling, difficulty opening your mouth, or signs of infection. An assessment helps determine whether monitoring or treatment is needed.
3. Do wisdom teeth always need to be removed?
No. Not everyone needs wisdom teeth removal. Some wisdom teeth erupt fully, sit in a healthy position, and can be cleaned properly. Removal is usually considered only if there is a risk of infection, damage, or ongoing discomfort.
4. What causes wisdom teeth to become impacted?
Wisdom teeth can become impacted when there is not enough space in the jaw. This may cause them to grow at an angle, stay partially under the gum, or remain trapped in the jawbone.
5. What is wisdom tooth infection (pericoronitis)?
Pericoronitis is an infection that can occur when bacteria collect under the gum flap of a partially erupted wisdom tooth. Symptoms may include swelling, pain, bad taste, and difficulty chewing.
6. Can wisdom teeth cause jaw stiffness or difficulty opening the mouth?
Yes. Inflammation around wisdom teeth can affect nearby muscles and joints, sometimes leading to jaw stiffness or difficulty opening the mouth (trismus). This should be assessed by a dentist.
7. How are wisdom teeth assessed by a dentist?
Assessment usually includes a clinical examination and a wisdom teeth X-ray assessment. X-rays help show tooth position, angle, and proximity to nerves and nearby teeth.
8. What happens if wisdom teeth problems are left untreated?
If left untreated, wisdom teeth issues can progress slowly and may lead to infection, increased pain, or damage to surrounding teeth. Early assessment often allows for simpler management.
9. How do dentists decide if wisdom teeth extraction is needed?
Dentists will have to consider your symptoms, tooth position, infection risk, and impact on neighbouring teeth. That’s why decisions about wisdom teeth extraction should always be based on individual clinical need.
