Have you been dealing with a painful wisdom tooth? Sometimes, the pain reaches a point where you might start wishing for the tooth to fall out. Or perhaps you want to avoid undergoing wisdom tooth surgery. Either way, if you’ve been wondering, “Can a wisdom tooth fall out on its own?”. In most cases, no. Wisdom teeth rarely fall out on their own. Carry on reading to learn more.
At What Age Do Wisdom Teeth Appear?
The usual age window during which most people get their wisdom teeth is from 17 to 25. It’s not necessary that all of your wisdom teeth erupt in this timeframe. Sometimes, a wisdom tooth may remain fully impacted and may never come out.
Normally, you can tell when a wisdom tooth is about to appear. You’ll likely feel pressure or pain in the back of your mouth. You may also feel that your gums in that area feel tender.
If your wisdom tooth only erupts halfway or at an odd angle, it can cause complications later on.
Can a Wisdom Tooth Fall Out on Its Own?
Most of the teens and adults who get their wisdom teeth suffer from some issues related to them. It could be pain, infection, difficulty eating, or something else. When that happens, people wish for the tooth to just fall out naturally.
Unfortunately, wisdom teeth rarely fall out on their own. Firstly, that’s because wisdom teeth are a type of adult teeth, not baby teeth. Once they grow in, they don’t fall out at a later stage.
Another reason is that wisdom teeth, like the rest of your adult teeth, are held in place with gums and jawbone support.
In very rare cases, a wisdom tooth may fall out if you have severe bone loss because of gum disease. Otherwise, usually a wisdom tooth stays in place, even if it is decayed or infected.
When Should You Consider Getting Your Wisdom Tooth Extracted?
If your wisdom tooth is causing you trouble, waiting for it to fall out on its own won’t work. You’ll have to consult a dentist for wisdom tooth extraction in these situations:
Pain in the back of your mouth
Mild pain when a third molar is about to erupt lasts a few days. If you have been having intense pain in the back of your mouth, seek dental care immediately.
Gum swelling
Gums around partially erupted wisdom teeth often become red and swollen. Before you develop a severe gum infection, it’s wise to consider extraction.
Infection or abscess
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms near an infected tooth. This is a serious indication that you need to get your third molar removed.
Damage to your other teeth
Cavities or infection from a wisdom tooth can spread to your surrounding teeth. It might be best to pull the wisdom tooth out to save your other teeth.
Final Words
Wisdom teeth rarely fall out naturally. If you have been experiencing painful symptoms because of your wisdom teeth, it’s time to think about tooth extraction and consult our dental experts at Hickerson Dental & Associates right away. Call us at (713) 782-3123 to book your appointment today.