Most wisdom tooth pain settles within a few days with careful cleaning and ordinary painkillers, and a wisdom tooth that is not causing problems does not need to come out. Removal is usually recommended when the same tooth keeps getting infected, when it is decayed, or when it is damaging the tooth in front. This guide explains how to tell the difference, what you can do at home, and what removal involves at The Tooth Spa in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.
Why do wisdom teeth hurt?
Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to arrive, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. By then there is often not enough room for them, so they come through at an angle or only part of the way. A tooth that is stuck like this is called impacted.
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1Flap of gumSits over a partly erupted tooth. When it becomes infected this is called pericoronitis.
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2Impacted wisdom toothStuck at an angle because there is not enough room for it.
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3The tooth in frontCan be affected by decay or gum disease around the wisdom tooth.
The most common cause of pain is pericoronitis, an infection of the flap of gum that sits over a partly erupted tooth. Food and bacteria collect under the flap, and the gum becomes sore and swollen. You might notice:
- a dull ache at the very back of the jaw, often spreading towards the ear
- red, puffy gum behind the last tooth
- a bad taste, or bad breath
- pain when you bite, because the swollen gum is caught by the tooth above
- difficulty opening your mouth fully
Wisdom teeth can also hurt because they have decayed. They are hard to reach with a toothbrush, so decay and gum disease are common, and they can affect the neighbouring tooth as well.
What you can do at home
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1Keep the area clean. Brush right to the back, even if it is tender. A small-headed or single-tuft brush helps.
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2Rinse with warm salt water several times a day. Use half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
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3Use an antiseptic mouthwash. A pharmacist can advise on a short course of a chlorhexidine mouthwash.
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4Take pain relief you would normally use, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the instructions on the packet.
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5Eat soft food and chew on the other side for a few days.
If the pain is no better after two or three days, or it keeps returning, book an appointment. Our post on easing toothache at night has more tips for getting some sleep in the meantime.
When wisdom tooth pain is urgent
If your wisdom tooth pain is getting worse, contact us first. We offer same-day emergency appointments and will do our best to see you that day.
Contact us the same day if you have:
- swelling in your cheek or jaw
- a high temperature, or you feel generally unwell
- difficulty opening your mouth
- severe pain that painkillers are not controlling
How to reach us
- Call 0113 262 5545
- Message us on WhatsApp on 07739 659343
- Book online
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if swelling is making it difficult to breathe or swallow, or is spreading down your neck or up towards your eye. If we are closed and you need urgent advice, call NHS 111.
Remove or wait? How dentists decide
UK guidance from NICE is that healthy wisdom teeth should not be removed just in case, even if they are impacted. Every operation carries some risk, so there needs to be a reason. Your dentist will examine the tooth and take an X-ray before giving you a recommendation.
| Removal is usually advised if | Waiting is usually reasonable if |
|---|---|
| You have had pericoronitis more than once, or one severe episode | This is the first, mild flare-up and it settles with cleaning |
| The wisdom tooth is decayed and cannot be filled | The tooth is still coming through and has room to do so |
| It is causing decay or gum disease in the tooth in front | The tooth is fully buried and causing no symptoms |
| There is an abscess or a cyst around the tooth | An X-ray shows no decay, cyst or damage to the next tooth |
If you wait, the tooth is checked at your routine examinations so that any change is picked up early.
What does wisdom tooth removal involve?
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1Assessment. An examination and X-ray. For some lower wisdom teeth we recommend a 3D CBCT scan to show exactly how close the roots are to the nerve in the jaw. We have a CBCT scanner in the practice.
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2A discussion of your options. Including the benefits and risks of removal and of leaving the tooth, and a written estimate.
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3The procedure. The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. You will feel pressure but should not feel pain. Upper wisdom teeth are often removed in a few minutes. Lower ones may need a small opening in the gum and the tooth removing in sections, and a stitch or two afterwards.
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4Going home. You will leave with written aftercare instructions and a number to call if you are worried.
If the thought of an extraction makes you anxious, tell us. Dr Mostafa Mansour, who trained in maxillofacial surgery at Leeds General Infirmary, is qualified to provide IV sedation at the practice, and we can discuss whether it would be suitable for you.
We have two oral surgeons within the practice, Dr Mostafa Mansour and Dr Ahmer Imtiaz, and Dr Mansour in particular has extensive experience in wisdom tooth removal. If your extraction is complex, we may refer you to one of them, and very complex cases may be referred to a hospital oral surgery department.
Recovery and aftercare
Expect some soreness, swelling and stiffness for three to seven days. Most people take a day or two off work after a surgical extraction.
- Do not rinse, spit forcefully or drink through a straw for the first 24 hours.
- From the next day, rinse gently with warm salt water after meals.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol and strenuous exercise for at least 24 to 48 hours.
- Eat soft food and keep brushing your other teeth as normal.
The complication we see most often is dry socket, where the blood clot is lost from the socket. It causes a throbbing pain that starts two to four days after the extraction. It is treatable, so ring us if this happens. With lower wisdom teeth there is also a small risk of numbness or tingling in the lip, chin or tongue. It is usually temporary and, rarely, permanent. Your dentist will explain your own level of risk before you decide.
How much does wisdom tooth removal cost in Leeds?
| Treatment | Private fee | Dental plan fee |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency consultation | £59 | From £47.20 |
| Simple extraction | From £176 | From £140.80 |
| Wisdom tooth surgical extraction | From £385 | From £308 |
| CBCT scan, selected teeth (if needed) | £110 | Not applicable |
Fees are correct at the time of writing. Our fees page has the current price list, and you will be given the cost for your own treatment before it begins.
How long does wisdom tooth pain last?
Will antibiotics fix it?
Do all four wisdom teeth have to come out?
Can I have my wisdom tooth removed on the same day?
Wisdom tooth pain in Leeds? Get it checked
Call 0113 262 5545 or contact us to book. We are at 47 Potternewton Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3LW, with free parking and evening and Saturday appointments. You can read more on our wisdom teeth page.
This article is general information and not a substitute for an examination and advice from a dentist. Clinically reviewed by Dr Ahmer Imtiaz, Principal Dentist (GDC 272118).