Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come in, usually in late teens or early twenties. Some people barely notice them. Others get swelling, pain, food trapping and repeated infections.
If a wisdom tooth grows straight, fully comes out, and you can clean around it well, you may not need to remove it. Mild, short-lived discomfort while it erupts can often be managed with pain relief and proper brushing/rinsing.
Problems start when the tooth is impacted—growing at an angle, half covered by gum, or stuck against the tooth in front. Food gets trapped, gums swell, and you may have pain while chewing or opening your mouth. Bad breath and a bad taste in that area are common.
In such cases, dentists sometimes suggest removal, especially if infections keep coming back, the tooth is damaging the neighbour, or cleaning is impossible.
You can sometimes “wait and watch” if pain is rare, X-rays look okay, and cleaning is manageable. But if you’re repeatedly on antibiotics or can’t chew properly on that side, extraction is often the more permanent solution.
Only an in-person dental exam and X-ray can tell you what’s best. Ignoring serious wisdom tooth symptoms for months usually makes things harder, not easier.