Wisdom teeth. Just the word alone can make some people wince: swollen chipmunk cheeks, ice packs, soup-only diets. Maybe you’ve heard horror stories from friends about painful surgeries. It’s no wonder so many people ask themselves: “Do they really have to come out? Or can they just stay back there?”
In this article, I’ll explain why we even have wisdom teeth, when they can cause problems — and when they don’t. Most importantly: when it actually makes sense to remove them.
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
They’re called “wisdom” teeth because they usually appear late — between the ages of 16 and 25. In the past, people believed you were already “wise” at that age. Today we know: the teeth don’t make you wise, but they sure give you some life experience. 😉
The real reason we have wisdom teeth goes far back into human evolution. Our ancestors ate a very different diet: tough, fibrous plants and raw meat, with no knives or cooking pots. A third set of molars was worth its weight in gold.
But times have changed. Today we eat softer foods, our jaws have become smaller, and often there simply isn’t enough room for wisdom teeth anymore.
Do Wisdom Teeth Always Have to Be Removed?
Not necessarily. Many wisdom teeth grow in normally, are straight, and stay healthy. In these cases, you can usually keep them.
When Can Wisdom Teeth Stay?
- When they’re healthy, without cavities or infections.
- When there’s enough room for them to come in fully.
- When they’re not pushing or shifting other teeth.
- When they’re deeply embedded in the jaw without causing harm — and removal would be riskier than leaving them.
Fun fact: Around 20 % of people don’t develop any wisdom teeth at all. If they’re not visible on your X-ray, you don’t need to worry about them.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Come Out?
For many people, there’s not enough space in the jaw. Wisdom teeth then grow in at an angle, get stuck in the bone, or cause pain.
You should consider removal if:
🚨 Your gums become repeatedly inflamed.
🚨 You have severe pain as they come in.
🚨 They’re pushing neighboring teeth out of position.
🚨 It’s harder to clean them, leading to cavities — either on the wisdom teeth themselves or on the teeth in front of them.
🚨 Cysts or other abnormal changes develop.
🚨 You’re undergoing orthodontic treatment that could be affected by the wisdom teeth.
A typical issue is a tooth that only partially erupts (“partially impacted”), leaving a flap of gum where bacteria can collect — this can lead to a painful infection called “pericoronitis.”
How Does Removal Work?
It sounds unpleasant, but it’s usually not as bad as you think.
If your dentist or oral surgeon recommends removing wisdom teeth, it’s typically done as an outpatient procedure.
If you visit one of our LifeDent practices in Lucerne, Volketswil, Bülach, Winterthur, or Neukirch, here’s what you can expect:
Before removal, we often take a 3D scan (CBCT) to see the exact position of the wisdom teeth and their proximity to important nerves. Then you’ll be numbed with a local anesthetic (or general anesthesia, if you prefer), and you can go home afterward.
The procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Whether all four teeth are removed at once or in two appointments depends on your situation and your preference.
How to Support Healing After Removal
Your jaw will be a bit tender for a few days, but you can speed up recovery with these tips:
- Apply cold packs to reduce swelling.
- Eat soft, lukewarm foods like mashed potatoes, soup, or pasta.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, and very hot or spicy foods — they delay healing.
- Pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol can help (follow the dosage instructions).
- Take it easy for a few days — no sports, sauna, or stress.
- If you develop renewed pain after 4–5 days, along with swelling or bad breath, come back to the practice — it could be an infection.
Our Tip: Get Regular Checkups
Wisdom teeth aren’t ticking time bombs — but they can become one if ignored. Regular checkups are important to see how they’re developing.
The best time to remove them is before age 25, when the roots aren’t fully formed and the procedure is usually easier.
We’re happy to advise you in any of our LifeDent practices in Lucerne, Volketswil, Bülach, Winterthur, or Neukirch to see whether action is needed in your case.