A wisdom tooth, also known as a third molar or an “eight”, can be a completely trouble-free tooth \u2013 or a source of repeated inflammation, pain or problems with the neighbouring second molar. Sometimes you do not even know you have one until it shows up on an X-ray at a routine check-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is often the moment the question arises: does a wisdom tooth have to be extracted, or can it stay?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mere fact that it is a wisdom tooth is not in itself a reason for extraction. What matters most is its position, the condition of the surrounding tissues and whether it can be cleaned properly and kept healthy in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the wisdom tooth stands in line, plays its part in the bite and can be cleaned properly, there is no reason to remove it preventively. Regular hygiene and check-ups are enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of its position right at the back, dental plaque builds up on a wisdom tooth easily. If you can keep it healthy in the long term, it can stay. With repeated tooth decay or insufficient hygiene, extraction may be the better option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bacteria and food debris get trapped under the gum that covers part of the tooth. This can lead to repeated inflammation. Antibiotics will calm the acute trouble but do not remove its cause, which is why extraction is usually recommended when the inflammation keeps coming back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A poorly positioned wisdom tooth can threaten the neighbouring second molar by causing decay or damaging its root. With lower wisdom teeth, the relationship to the nerve that supplies feeling to the lip and chin is also important. We therefore assess the tooth’s position using an X-ray. If the wisdom tooth threatens the surrounding teeth or tissues, we will recommend removing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some symptoms suggest that simply watching the problem is not the right approach. Book an appointment with a dentist especially if you have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of all the damage a problematic wisdom tooth can cause, decay on the neighbouring second molar is particularly unpleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the wisdom tooth grows towards the second molar, a narrow space forms between them that is very difficult to clean. Bacteria and food debris can build up there, and decay then develops in a place you practically cannot reach with normal brushing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In that situation, the tooth at risk is precisely the one that could otherwise have served without problems for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a wisdom tooth needs to be removed, the patient’s age can also play a role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With advancing age, bone gradually hardens and healing after extraction can be slower. In younger patients, moreover, the roots of wisdom teeth are often not yet fully developed, which can make their removal easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That does not mean, however, that all wisdom teeth should be extracted preventively at a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your dentist recommends removing a wisdom tooth that is not bothering you at all, ask what exactly the X-ray shows. If it reveals a problem or a risk of damage to the neighbouring tooth or surrounding tissues, it may be wise to deal with the wisdom tooth before it starts causing trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there is no problem, the best approach may simply be to monitor the tooth regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An erupted, functional and easily cleaned wisdom tooth therefore does not automatically have to come out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the extraction, much depends on how complicated the removal was and how quickly the wound heals. A few basic rules, though, apply almost always:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How the procedure works, whether it hurts and how long healing takes is covered in detail on our tooth extraction<\/a> page. The removal of awkwardly positioned wisdom teeth belongs to the field of oral surgery<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No. If the wisdom tooth has erupted properly, is functional and can be cleaned well, it can stay in your mouth for life. Removal is considered mainly when it causes repeated trouble or threatens the neighbouring tooth or surrounding tissues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common cause is a partially erupted wisdom tooth. Part of the gum remains over the tooth, creating a space underneath that is hard to clean. Bacteria and food debris build up there and the gum can become repeatedly inflamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the extraction is indicated, it can be easier to carry out at a younger age. In younger patients the roots of wisdom teeth are often not yet fully developed and the bone may be less dense. But this does not mean every healthy wisdom tooth needs to be removed preventively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually not. A wisdom tooth contributes less to chewing than the other molars, so a replacement is not normally made after its removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The warning signs are above all pain, repeated gum inflammation, swelling, painful or limited mouth opening, or trouble with the neighbouring tooth. Some problematic wisdom teeth, however, cause no symptoms at all and are only revealed by an X-ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A wisdom tooth does not have to come out just because it is a wisdom tooth. What matters is its position, its condition and above all whether it can be cleaned properly and kept healthy in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An erupted wisdom tooth that bites correctly and that you can clean well can stay in your mouth. On the other hand, a partially erupted wisdom tooth with repeated inflammation, or one that is damaging the neighbouring second molar, is a reason to act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not sure whether your wisdom tooth needs to come out? Book an appointment with us in \u010cesk\u00e9 Bud\u011bjovice. If you have an X-ray, bring it with you. We will look at the exact position of your wisdom teeth and decide together whether it should be removed or simply monitored.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Does a wisdom tooth always need extracting? Position, condition and cleanability decide. Learn when it can stay, when it must go and what to expect after.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1873,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[71],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tooth-extraction"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1871"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1876,"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1871\/revisions\/1876"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1873"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zubnipececb.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does a wisdom tooth always have to be extracted?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why does the gum over my wisdom tooth keep hurting?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is it better to have a wisdom tooth extracted at a younger age?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Does a wisdom tooth need to be replaced after extraction?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How do I know something is wrong with my wisdom tooth?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n