Fact Check: Can Wisdom Tooth cause Cancer?

An instagram reel claims that Wisdom tooth Causes Cancer. The claim by the user is Misleading.

Claim

An Instagram reel posted by the user _discoverwithgunjan_, claims that wisdom tooth can cause cancer. The caption of the reel states "When wisdom teeth bring more pain than wisdom. Time to face the ache, the drama, and the extraction. Let’s talk teeth!"

The speaker in the reel says "Wisdom teeth are currently a problem faced by about 95% of females. What happens is that the tooth gets stuck in the mouth because the size of the tooth is large, and the jaw isn’t able to accommodate it. So, part of the tooth remains covered by the gums, and part of it is visible in the mouth. When a patient with a wisdom tooth issue comes in and we tell them it needs to be removed, they often respond, “But this is the first time it’s happened.” However, the reality is, if it’s happened now, it will happen again in two months. The upper wisdom tooth usually grows toward the cheek. The lower wisdom tooth is often partially embedded and tends to grow toward the tongue—most of the time it pushes toward the back. So, when you close your mouth, your cheek gets caught between the teeth while chewing. This causes a sore in the cheek, which is known as cheek biting. Trying to avoid this cheek biting, which has been happening for a long time, eventually leads to a sore in the cheek. That sore can turn white, and that white patch can potentially develop into a cancerous growth. Therefore, the best treatment for a problematic wisdom tooth is to have it removed when it starts causing pain. As the saying goes, “No stick, no drumbeat” – meaning, if there's no wisdom tooth, there won’t be any problems."

The reel has 13028 likes and can be accessed here. 

Fact Check

The claim that wisdom teeth are linked to oral cancer is misleading, as there is no scientific or clinical evidence to support such a direct  connection, while there might be an indirect link in some cases. The user's claim is misleading as it implies a definite link which is not true and can create fear among people.  It is important to note that not all wisdom teeth require extraction. Those that have erupted normally into the oral cavity typically do not pose any issues. However, when there is insufficient space for the teeth to emerge properly, they may cause problems such as cavities, swelling, or the formation of cysts. Complications like chronic inflammation or cysts related to impacted wisdom teeth should be monitored because in rare cases, it may increase the risk of cancer overtime in some cases. 

What is wisdom tooth?

Wisdom teeth are the last tooth to erupt in the oral cavity. They are the third and final set of molars that emerge at the very back of the mouth, with one positioned at the end of each row of teeth. These teeth typically develop between the ages of 18 and 24, although in some individuals they may never fully erupt or appear at all.

What problems can wisdom tooth cause?

Wisdom teeth are often considered “troublemakers” because many people’s jaws are too small to accommodate them, a mismatch that can be traced back to our ancestors, who had larger jaws and needed more teeth to chew a tougher diet. In modern humans, this lack of space can lead to partial eruption, impaction, or misalignment, potentially causing pain, swelling, and inflammation. However, it is important to note that not all wisdom teeth cause problems.

What happens when wisdom tooth fail to erupt?

When wisdom tooth fail to fully emerge from the gums or remain partially hidden, they usually don’t cause issues. However, in some individuals, this can result in pain, gum swelling, or inflammation. These teeth may also press against neighboring teeth, potentially leading to damage or a higher risk of tooth decay. Similarly, when wisdom teeth do break through, they sometimes grow in without any problems if there’s enough room. But in other cases, they may erupt at an angle, crowd surrounding teeth, or trigger infections and other dental complications.

When to get wisdom tooth removed?

Wisdom tooth management typically involves careful monitoring, but removal is recommended when certain complications arise. A wisdom tooth should generally be extracted if it causes dental pain, contributes to poor oral hygiene, or leads to infection or periodontal (gum) disease. Extraction is also advised when the tooth develops cavities, is associated with cysts, tumors, or other pathological conditions, or causes damage to adjacent teeth.

What causes oral cancer?

Oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the back of the throat. Oral cancers can develop on the tongue, on the tissue lining the mouth and gums, under the tongue, at the base of the tongue, and the area of the throat at the back of the mouth. It primarily affects individuals over the age of 40 and is more than twice as common in men as in women. The leading causes of oral cancer include tobacco use in all forms (such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and snuff), heavy alcohol consumption, and especially the combination of both, which significantly increases the risk. Additionally, infection with the human papillomavirus (particularly HPV type 16) has been strongly linked to throat cancers, and its prevalence has been rising. Other contributing factors include prolonged sun exposure, which increases the risk of lip cancer; poor nutrition and inherited genetic mutations that predispose individuals to cancers of the mouth and middle throat.

Can wisdom tooth cause cancer?

Wisdom tooth can lead to various dental problems, such as impaction, infections, and cysts. However, none of these issues are themselves cancerous, nor is there any direct evidence that impacted or infected wisdom teeth can transform into cancer.

Having said that, a study published in International Journal of Preventive medicine mentions that chronic inflammation is a known factor in carcinogenesis. However, Long-term infections or irritation in the mouth may contribute to changes in cells over time—but this is a general mechanism and not specific to wisdom teeth. The study does not highlight any role of wisdom teeth in the development of oral cancer.

A study published in the Journal of Stomatology, oral and Maxillofacial Surgery conducted a literature analysis and revealed the presence of only few case reports on the topic. The study therefore suggested a lack of evidence on the correlation between tooth impaction and the onset of oral cancer.

A systematic review published in BMJ Clinical Evidence mentioned the outcomes of wisdom tooth management that included both potential dental problems and risks from extraction. The authors mention that if left untreated, wisdom teeth may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, pain, crowding of front teeth, damage to nearby teeth or fillings, cysts or tumors, infections like facial cellulitis, and may eventually require removal. On the other hand, extraction can cause complications such as pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, dry socket, jaw stiffness, nerve injury, damage to nearby teeth and sinus problems.

A study by Piemonte et al. suggests that chronic mechanical irritation may contribute to oral cancer, especially in those with existing risk factors. Addressing dental or prosthetic causes of irritation could help reduce this risk. However, more research is needed, as current evidence remains limited.

There is no scientific evidence to support the fact that wisdom tooth can directly cause cancer. Although, there is no direct link between wisdom tooth and cancer, complications from wisdom teeth, such as chronic infections or cysts, should be monitored and treated. Also, it is known that chronic inflammation is a recognized contributor to cancer development. While persistent irritation in the mouth can potentially lead to cellular changes over time, this is a broad mechanism and not unique to wisdom teeth. Current research does not identify wisdom teeth as having any direct role in causing oral cancer. Hence a balanced approach is required rather than categorically assuming that every wisdom teeth not removed will lead to cancer. 

Dr Nandita Mohan, MDS, Pedodontist, Sanjeevan Hospital, Delhi, said, "While complications from impacted wisdom teeth—such as infections or tissue overgrowth—are common, linking these issues directly to oral cancer is not supported by robust clinical data. Most problems related to wisdom teeth are mechanical or inflammatory in nature and can be effectively managed with routine dental care. Malignancies in the oral cavity are typically associated with established risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and HPV infection—not the presence of third molars. Although chronic irritation or inflammation may play a supportive role in cancer development, this association is non-specific and applies broadly across various tissues. The role of wisdom teeth in this context remains minimal. Any suspicious lesion around a wisdom tooth site should be evaluated carefully, but extraction should be based on clinical need, not fear of cancer. Education around this topic is important to prevent misinformation and promote evidence-based decision-making in dental care."

Dr Sujata, BDS, Dental Surgeon, Sanjeevan Hospital, Delhi, said, "There is currently no scientific evidence to support the claim that wisdom teeth directly cause cancer. While impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can lead to localized issues such as pericoronitis (gum inflammation), cysts, or infection, these complications are not inherently cancerous. In rare instances, certain cysts or lesions around impacted teeth—like dentigerous cysts or keratocystic odontogenic tumors—can undergo malignant transformation, but such cases are extremely uncommon. The broader scientific understanding indicates that chronic inflammation can contribute to carcinogenesis; however, this is a general risk factor and not specific to wisdom teeth. As a dental professional, I emphasize that the presence of wisdom teeth should be assessed based on clinical symptoms and radiographic findings, not on unfounded fears about cancer. Regular dental checkups and early intervention in case of abnormal changes are key to maintaining oral health."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Wisdom tooth that are fully erupted in oral cavity usually do not cause any problem. While impacted wisdom tooth can cause various problems like pain, swelling, dental caries etc., these conditions are relatively common and typically managed through monitoring or surgical extraction when necessary. There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that wisdom tooth can directly cause cancer. Although chronic irritation in the mouth can, over time, lead to cellular changes, this is a broad process and not specific to wisdom teeth. Current research does not suggest that wisdom teeth play a direct role in the development of oral cancer. 

Hence, the claim that wisdom tooth can cause cancer is overexaggerating the claim and is Misleading.