Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Removed?
With age comes wisdom. Specifically, wisdom teeth.
Your mouth goes through many changes in your lifetime. One major dental milestone that usually takes place between the ages of 17 and 21 is the appearance of your third molars. Historically, these teeth have been called wisdom teeth because they come through at a more mature age.
No. Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the back of the mouth, and not all of them need removal. The decision depends on their position, their health, their effect on neighboring teeth, and whether they can be cleaned and monitored.
What does an impacted wisdom tooth mean?
An impacted tooth has not fully come in to a usable position. Examination and appropriate imaging show its position and how it relates to nearby teeth, nerves and bone. Some impacted teeth cause few noticeable symptoms, so how a tooth feels is only part of the assessment.
When might a wisdom tooth need removal?
Reasons can include decay that can't reasonably be restored, repeated infection, damage to a neighboring tooth, gum disease or a cyst. Other dental treatment planning may also affect the decision. Discuss the expected benefit, alternatives, risks and recovery with the clinician who will perform the procedure.
Can I keep healthy wisdom teeth?
Sometimes. Teeth that stay need cleaning and ongoing monitoring. Ask how to reach the area with your brush and an interdental cleaner, and mention food trapping, swelling or difficulty opening your mouth. A dental examination can help tell a wisdom-tooth problem apart from other causes of pain.
Should taste changes determine whether I remove a wisdom tooth?
No. One study reported changes in taste after wisdom tooth removal, and you can read our summary of that taste research. A finding like that doesn't establish that removal is needed for you. The decision should rest on the tooth's health, the examination findings, and the benefits and risks of the proposed treatment. Tell your clinician about any existing taste changes, numbness or concerns before deciding.
What symptoms should prompt a call?
Call for increasing pain, swelling or trouble opening your mouth. Rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, or other severe symptoms need urgent medical attention. Our emergency dental care page explains how to contact the office about a dental problem.
Where can you discuss wisdom teeth in Jacksonville?
Our office is on Hendricks Avenue near San Marco. An examination can identify the problem and the appropriate next steps, including referral when needed. Bring recent dental X-rays if you have them. Contact our office at 904-398-1549 to discuss your concerns.
Sources
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Wisdom teeth.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.
How to Tell If You Grind Your Teeth at Night
Teeth grinding is a problem that affects nearly one in ten individuals, yet many of us don’t even realize we’re doing it. And that’s a problem given just how harmful it can be to our health. Here’s how to find out if you grind your teeth when you sleep—and why it’s something you shouldn’t ignore.
Most people who grind their teeth at night don't know they do it. The usual clues are a sleeping partner who hears grinding, a sore or tired jaw or a dull headache when you wake up, and flattened, chipped or cracked teeth that your dentist notices. None of these proves you grind, because other problems cause the same symptoms, so a dental examination is the way to confirm it and rule out other causes.
What signs suggest you grind your teeth while you sleep?
Signs you might notice in the morning:
A sore, tight or tired jaw, or aching in the muscles of the cheeks and temples
A dull headache, often around the temples
Teeth that feel sore or sensitive when you first wake
Tender spots along the cheek or the edge of the tongue where it presses against your teeth
Signs in your teeth and dental work:
Front teeth that look shorter, flatter or more even than they used to
Small chips along the biting edges
Fillings or crowns that break or come loose more often than you'd expect
New sensitivity to cold
Signs other people notice:
A partner or family member hears grinding or clicking during the night
Many cases are mild. Grinding becomes a problem when it is frequent or forceful enough to wear teeth, break dental work or cause jaw pain.
What else can cause the same symptoms?
Jaw pain, headaches and sensitive teeth have many possible causes. A cracked tooth, a cavity, gum recession, a sinus problem or a jaw joint disorder can feel similar. This is why I'd rather examine your teeth and jaw than have you assume the cause. If a tooth hurts when you bite, that deserves its own evaluation.
Should you mention snoring or poor sleep?
Yes. Grinding during sleep sometimes occurs alongside snoring or other sleep problems. If you snore loudly, wake up gasping or feel tired despite a full night in bed, talk with your physician as well as your dentist. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research notes that a sleep study may be recommended in some cases of night-time grinding.
What can you do before your visit?
Ask the person you share a room with whether they've heard grinding.
Keep a short record of when you wake with jaw soreness or headaches and what was going on the day before.
Notice evening habits. Caffeine and alcohol are both linked with grinding, and so are smoking and some medications.
Don't stop a prescribed medication because you think it's causing grinding. Talk with your prescriber first.
Over-the-counter guards are widely sold. A guard that doesn't fit well can be uncomfortable or change how your teeth meet, so it's worth having your teeth and bite checked first.
What happens at a dental examination for grinding?
I look at wear patterns on your teeth, check your fillings and crowns, feel the jaw muscles and joints, and ask when your symptoms happen. Together that helps show whether grinding is likely, how much damage there is and whether protection makes sense. Our companion article explains what bruxism is and whether a night guard helps. You can also try our quick self-check for teeth grinding.
Where can you get grinding symptoms checked in Jacksonville?
Our office is at 3675 Hendricks Avenue, near San Marco. Read about our teeth grinding treatment in Jacksonville, including custom night guards and Botox for jaw and facial pain, learn what happens during a comprehensive dental exam, or contact the office at 904-398-1549 to arrange a visit.
Sources
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Bruxism. Last reviewed March 2025, retrieved 2026-10-06.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.