Wisdom teeth tend to make themselves known in your late teens or twenties, usually right when you're busy with everything else. A bit of soreness at the back of your mouth is easy to put off checking, especially when it comes and goes. Here's what's actually worth paying attention to.
What the early signs usually look like
Mild tenderness or swelling behind your last molar, jaw stiffness, an odd taste, or trouble opening comfortably. None of these on their own mean something serious is happening, but they're worth mentioning at your next check-up rather than waiting for real pain.
Why "wait until it hurts" isn't the best plan
Wisdom teeth without enough room to come through properly can press on the tooth next to them or lead to infection around the gum covering them. Catching this early generally means more options than catching it once it's swollen and painful.
What a check actually involves
Mostly a look, and sometimes an X-ray to see the angle and position of the teeth. Plenty of people have wisdom teeth that need nothing done at all, being checked isn't the same as being told you need them out.
Not sure if it's time to get yours checked?
Dental Health Week (3–9 August) is focused this year on exactly this, for people in their late teens and twenties, so it's a fitting time to get it looked at if it's been on your mind. I'm Dr Justin Lee, a general dentist at Pacific Smiles Dental Belconnen, if something's been nagging at the back of your mouth, book a check-up and we'll take a look together.