Up to 85% of third molars never erupt normally, making wisdom tooth removal one of the most common oral surgeries today. Whether they’re trapped beneath the gums or emerging at awkward angles, wisdom teeth can wreak havoc on your smile if left unchecked. In this post, we’ll explore:
What wisdom teeth are and why they create problems
Six evidence-based reasons dentists recommend removal
When you might safely keep them, per ADA and NICE guidelines
Why early extraction (ages 15–22) is easier and safer
Transparent cost ranges and financing options
Next steps: book your free X-ray & consult
Table of contents
Introduction: What are Wisdom Teeth?
1. Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Damage Nearby Molars
2. Infection and Gum Disease (Pericoronitis)
3. Cysts, Tumors, and Bone Loss
4. Crowding Myth vs. Reality
5. Chronic Pain, Swelling, and Jaw Stiffness
6. Hard-to-Reach Teeth Mean Higher Cavity Risk
7. Why Experts Now Say Not to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth
8. Why Early Removal (Ages 15–22) Is Easier and Safer
9. What Does Wisdom-Tooth Removal Cost?
Introduction: What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, typically emerge between ages 17 and 25, long after the rest of your adult teeth have settled in. Evolution hasn’t caught up with our shrinking jaws, so these latecomers often lack space and proper alignment.
When wisdom teeth become impacted, infected, or misaligned, they can damage neighboring teeth, lead to chronic pain, and cause serious oral health issues. Removing them prevents small problems from ballooning into expensive, complicated treatments.
Wisdom Teeth Pain and Symptoms
1. Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Damage Nearby Molars
When a wisdom tooth can’t fully emerge, it presses against the second molar’s root, causing:
Root resorption (wearing away of the neighboring tooth’s root)
Decay in the contact area that’s impossible to clean
Jaw aches and pain in your temple or ear
There are four impaction types: vertical, mesioangular, horizontal, and distoangular. Each has its own risks. A 2019 study found that impacted third molars (horizontal and mesioangular) were more likely to result in root resorption in neighboring second molars. Early wisdom teeth removal can preserve your healthy molars and prevent complex restorative work later.
2. Wisdom Teeth Infection and Gum Disease (Pericoronitis)
Partially erupted wisdom teeth create a flap of gum tissue called an operculum. Food and bacteria collect beneath it, leading to pericoronitis, an infection marked by:
Swollen, tender gums around the tooth
Bad breath and a foul taste in your mouth
Difficulty opening your jaw (trismus)
Left untreated, pericoronitis can spread to surrounding tissues and even into the jawbone. Wisdom teeth cause 95% of pericoronitis infections.
3. Cysts, Tumors, and Bone Loss
A wisdom tooth follicle sometimes fills with fluid, forming a dentigerous cyst. Over time, this cyst:
Erodes jawbone, weakening the support for adjacent teeth
Can evolve into rare tumors, requiring more extensive surgery
May damage nerves, leading to numbness or tingling
Cyst formation affects roughly 5.3% of impacted wisdom teeth. Removing them early eliminates the risk of jaw fractures and aggressive pathology.
4. Crowding: Myth vs Reality
It’s a common belief that wisdom teeth push other teeth out of place, causing crowding. And while it makes intuitive sense, it’s not always the case. Below is a quick “Myth vs. Reality” comparison to clear up the confusion:
| MYTH | FACT |
Wisdom teeth exert forward pressure, shifting all other teeth. | There’s no significant link between the eruption of third molars and anterior tooth movement or crowding. |
Removing wisdom teeth prevents orthodontic relapse. | Orthodontic relapse, when teeth drift back to their original position after orthodontic treatment like braces, is influenced by many factors (age, gum health, original tooth alignment), not the presence or absence of third molars. |
If you keep wisdom teeth, your straight smile will revert. | Once braces or aligners have finished their work, relapse can occur regardless of wisdom teeth. Retainers and good hygiene are the true safeguards. |
Wisdom teeth “push” because they erupt later than other molars. | Third molars erupt into a jaw that’s already fully occupied; they lack the space to move other teeth and instead may become impacted themselves. |
2. Wisdom Teeth Pain, Swelling, and Jaw Stiffness
Impacting wisdom teeth can inflame the surrounding bone and soft tissue, causing:
Persistent dull ache that worsens with chewing
Swelling around the jaw, face, and neck
Nerve pressure
Headaches
Trismus (inability to fully open the mouth)
These symptoms may come and go but often worsen over time. Removal provides lasting relief and prevents complications like infection tracking into facial spaces.
2. Hard-to-Reach Teeth Mean Higher Cavity Risk
Wisdom teeth sit at the back of the mouth, making them inherently difficult to clean. These molars have a higher incidence of cavities and gum inflammation compared to other teeth. Around 30% to 60% of individuals with impacted wisdom teeth have an extraction due to disease. By removing them, you simplify oral hygiene and reduce the risk of decay that can spread to healthy teeth.
Why Experts Now Say Not to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth
Not all wisdom teeth require removal. According to ADA and NICE guidelines, fully erupted, symptom-free wisdom teeth that are properly aligned, free of decay or gum disease, and easily cleaned with routine brushing and flossing can be monitored with:
Annual panoramic X-rays
Diligent hygiene
Routine dental exams
A simple watch-and-wait approach reduces unnecessary surgery and focuses care where it’s needed.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Side Effects
Having your wisdom teeth extracted can prevent the issues mentioned above but patients can sometimes experience problems as a result of this procedure. A wisdom tooth extraction that goes totally as planned can cause pain and swelling in the days following the procedure, but some patients also experience less common side effects such as the following:
Dry socket: When the blood clot covering the socket after extraction dislodges, or never develops. This postoperative complication can be painful and cause delayed healing.
Infection: Although it’s rare, any dental extraction could cause an infection if it does not heal correctly. Patients should look out for symptoms like worsening pain and swelling, or a bad taste or odor.
Nerve damage: In rare cases, wisdom teeth removal can cause nerve damage, leading to numbness and tingling in the mouth, tongue or chin – this tends to be temporary.
Sinus problems: Removing upper wisdom teeth can sometimes affect your sinuses, causing pain and pressure in this area, or leading to an infection. Sometimes if the tooth’s roots were very long, the extraction can cause a gap to be left between the mouth and the sinuses. Patients should not blow their noses, use a straw, or spit forcefully for two weeks to help prevent sinus issues.
Why Early Removal (Ages 15–22) Is Easier and Safer
Younger jaws have less dense bone and incomplete root development, which means:
Shorter procedures
Lower risk of nerve injury
Faster healing and less post operative discomfort
Delaying extraction into your late twenties or beyond can result in longer surgeries, increased swelling, and higher complication rates.
| FACTOR | EARLY REMOVAL (15-22) | DELAYED REMOVAL (>LATE 20s) |
JAWBONE DENSITY | Softer, more malleable bone; easier surgical access | Denser bone requires more force and time to extract |
ROOT DEVELOPMENT | Roots are incomplete; minimal root-tip proximity to nerves | Fully formed roots; increased risk of nerve irritation |
SURGICAL COMPLEXITY | Shorter, simpler procedure (often under 30 minutes) | Longer, more involved procedure (45–90 minutes) |
ANESTHESIA NEEDS | Local anesthesia is often sufficient; lighter sedation options | Greater likelihood of IV sedation or general anesthesia |
HEALING TIME | Faster soft-tissue healing; swelling peaks ~48 hours | Slower tissue recovery: swelling may peak ~72 hours |
COMPLICATION RATE | Lower risk of dry socket, nerve injury, and infection | Higher risk of complications and prolonged recovery |
OVERALL PATIENT COMFORT | Less postoperative pain and quicker return to activities | More discomfort, longer downtime, and larger bruising |
Early removal takes advantage of natural developmental windows, making the process smoother and recovery quicker.
How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
In the U.S., removal fees range from $250 to $2,500 per tooth. Factors include:
Type of impaction (simple vs. surgical)
Anesthesia choice (local vs. IV sedation)
Provider expertise and geographic location
There are also different ways to cover the costs including:
Dental insurance plans cover simple extractions but may only partially cover surgical cases.
Flexible payment plans through Affordable Dentures & Implants financing.
Unsure About Your Wisdom Teeth? Book a Free X-Ray & Consult.
Don’t leave your oral health to chance. Schedule a free, no-obligation X-ray and consultation today. Our experienced team will review your images, discuss your options, and help you make an evidence-based decision that protects your smile for years to come.
Call: 1-800-DENTURE
FAQs
How long does wisdom teeth removal take?
A simple extraction might take a few minutes, but a surgical extraction might take up to 40 minutes.
How long does it take for wisdom teeth to heal?
You should be almost totally recovered from the procedure in two weeks, and fully recovered in four weeks. If you had a surgical extraction you may need one to three days off work.
How much is wisdom teeth removal?
A simple extraction might cost a few hundred dollars but a surgical extraction could cost up to two thousand dollars. Insurance and financing options are available at Affordable Dentures & Implants to help make this treatment more accessible.
Is wisdom teeth removal a surgery?
Only if the wisdom tooth is partly below the gumline. Otherwise, it’s a simple extraction, like any other tooth that is fully erupted.
What are impacted wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are impacted if they are partly below the gumline, and are unable to fully erupt into the mouth, in some cases because they are blocked by other teeth. They can be harder to remove if they are impacted as the dentist might have to make an incision in the gum to extract the tooth.
Does wisdom teeth removal hurt?
The extraction itself shouldn’t hurt as you will be given local anesthesia (with sedation an option for nervous patients) but some pain and discomfort is to be expected in the first few days while you recover.
How long does pain last after wisdom teeth pulled?
Pain usually peaks on the third day after the extraction, with some pain and swelling on the first and second day. You can use an ice pack for the first 48 hours, and a warm compress after that to help with pain and swelling, as well as Tylenol or another pain relief product.
Do wisdom teeth have to be removed?
Wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed. Your dentist will advise you on whether your wisdom teeth are causing issues or may do in the future. If they are causing you pain, damaging neighboring teeth or have become infected, extraction might be necessary.
What to eat after wisdom teeth removal
Stick to liquids on the first day like yogurts, smoothies and apple sauce, then move on to soft foods like scrambled egg and avocado for the next few days. By Day 4 you can have soft rice and steamed vegetables. Our guide on what to eat after this procedure goes into more detail.
Can I brush my teeth after wisdom teeth removal?
Wait at least 24 hours before you brush your teeth. After that, you should not brush directly on the extraction site for around first week – brush around it very gently. Your dentist will give you personalized after care instructions.
When can I use mouthwash after wisdom tooth extraction?
24 hours after your extraction, you can start using a saltwater rinse. This will help keep the site clean and reduce swelling. Be careful not to spit vigorously as this could lead to dry socket.
When can I smoke after wisdom tooth extraction?
Don’t smoke for the first 5-7 days as this is the period when you are most vulnerable to developing painful dry socket. The longer you can avoid smoking the better, as it can slow down your healing.
When can I drink alcohol after wisdom tooth extraction?
Avoid drinking alcohol for 72 hours. Alcohol might dissolve the blood clot that forms to protect the extraction site, and it can also slow your healing.
How soon can you talk after wisdom teeth removal?
You might feel more comfortable if you keep your conversations brief for the first 24 hours, as if you have had a surgical extraction, you might be feeling sore. Talking a lot and moving your mouth within the first 48 hours might also cause dry socket.
How to prepare for wisdom teeth removal
Take time off work if necessary, and buy some soft food to eat while you recover. Don’t drink alcohol within 24 hours of your procedure, and avoid tobacco for 48 hours.
How to sleep after removing wisdom teeth
Sleeping with your head elevated on an extra pillow for the first night can reduce swelling and prevent blood pooling at the extraction site. It might help to take some pain relief if you are finding it hard to sleep because of discomfort or pain, while you are recovering from wisdom teeth extraction.
Does insurance cover wisdom teeth removal?
Simple extractions are often covered by dental insurance plans, but surgical extractions may be only partly covered. These more complicated procedures are often covered up to 50%.
Does Medicaid cover wisdom teeth removal?
If your wisdom tooth extraction is considered medically necessary, it may be covered by Medicaid, but elective extractions in which you could get by without removing the tooth or teeth are generally not covered.