What happens if I don't get my wisdom teeth removed?
The short answer
It depends on the teeth. Many people keep healthy wisdom teeth for life. But if a tooth is already causing problems, like infections or decay on the tooth next to it, those usually keep coming back or get worse.
What can happen over time
- Nothing, for many people, especially when the teeth have come in fully and can be cleaned.
- Gum infections around a partly erupted tooth, which tend to come back.
- Decay or bone loss on the back of the molar in front, which can be hard to repair. That molar does far more of your chewing than a wisdom tooth, so protecting it is often the main reason for removal.
- Rarely, a cyst that damages bone or nearby teeth.
- Harder removal later. If they do need to come out later in life, pain, discomfort, and complications after surgery are more likely than in your late teens or twenties.
For the bigger question of whether healthy, pain-free wisdom teeth should come out at all, see My wisdom teeth don't hurt. Do they need to come out?
If you decide to keep them
That's your choice to make. Keep them clean, especially the gum around them, and have them checked with X-rays now and then. Get seen promptly if the gum behind your last molar gets swollen, sore, or tastes bad. Facial swelling, fever, or trouble opening your mouth needs urgent care. Trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling that's spreading, is an emergency: go to an emergency room.
Questions to ask
- Which of my wisdom teeth are most likely to cause problems?
- How often should we check them with X-rays?
- What signs mean I should come in right away?
- If we keep them for now, what would make you recommend removing them later?
- Before we schedule, can I get my cost in writing? (A predetermination if I'm using insurance, or a good faith estimate if I'm paying myself.)
When a second opinion makes sense
Reasonable if you're told removal is urgent but you have no symptoms and can't see a problem on the X-ray.