04/08/2026
Let's talk wisdom teeth.
They're the last adult teeth to come through, usually between 18 and 25, and by then there's often not enough room for them, which is why they become ‘impacted’: stuck half in the mouth, half under the gum.
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to infection, pain, gum disease, decay, ulcers and cysts. The only way to properly assess them is an X-ray, which shows exactly where each tooth sits and how close it is to nearby nerves.
Not every wisdom tooth needs removing, but if yours is impacted, decayed, or causing repeated infections, it's worth discussing extraction with your dentist. This can be done by a general dentist or specialist, with sedation options available for more involved cases.