When Should Wisdom Teeth Come Out?
Plenty of people keep their wisdom teeth for life, but certain symptoms mean it’s time to have them checked. Watch for:
- An aching or stiff jaw
- Red, swollen or tender gums at the back of your mouth
- Teeth that feel crowded or are starting to shift
- Headaches that seem to start near your jaw
When a wisdom tooth is trapped under the gum or only partly through, it can lead to infection, cysts and damage to the teeth beside it. An exam and X-ray show exactly what’s happening, so you know whether to act now or just keep an eye on it.
Wisdom Tooth Issues We Handle
Wisdom teeth cause trouble in different ways. Here are the problems we see most often in West University Place:
- Impacted or partially erupted teeth
- Gum infections around the tooth (pericoronitis)
- Jaw swelling, soreness or trouble opening wide
- Neighboring teeth that are crowded or pushed out of place
- Cysts or bone damage near the tooth
- Persistent bad breath or a sour taste
- Sudden, severe pain that needs urgent removal
A Careful, Experienced Team for West U Patients
Need Help Today? Ask About Same-Day Visits
You don’t have to put up with a throbbing jaw for a week. We offer same-day and walk-in visits, so you can have your wisdom teeth examined right away and, if it makes sense, treated without a long delay.


