Why might you need wisdom teeth removal?

Wisdom teeth don’t need to be extracted if they erupt fully, have enough room, can be easily cleaned, and don’t cause any pain. However, many people experience problems when their wisdom teeth start to grow in (usually as a teenager or young adult).

Growing wisdom teeth can cause extreme discomfort in day-to-day life. What starts as mild gum irritation can quickly become a constant ache in your jaw that makes it hard to concentrate, and even causes pain in other areas of your face and head.

In addition, impacted wisdom teeth (teeth that have only partially grown through the gum) can lead to long-term dental problems, such as abscesses, cysts, and damage to other teeth.

Removing troublesome wisdom teeth will eliminate your jaw pain and prevent you from developing other, more serious dental problems.

Wisdom tooth removal FAQs

Discover more about the wisdom tooth removal process in these frequently asked questions.

The wisdom tooth extraction procedure itself won’t hurt, as it’s always performed under local or general anaesthetic. If you opt for local anaesthetic, you may feel a slight sting as the anaesthetic is injected.

After the anaesthetic wears off, you’re likely to feel some discomfort in your jaw as your gum heals. Most patients agree this pain can be managed at home with over-the-counter painkillers and cold compresses to reduce swelling.

Pain after wisdom tooth removal can last up to a week, but normally starts to decrease after 3-4 days. In the meantime, you can use ibuprofen and other painkillers to manage any soreness.

Your consultant will advise you on any preparation you need to do before your wisdom tooth extraction procedure. This might include:

  • Not eating or drinking for a certain amount of time before the procedure.
  • Stopping smoking for a certain amount of time before the procedure.
  • Stocking up on soft foods you can eat during recovery.
  • Arranging for someone to drive you home after the procedure (you won’t be able to drive if you’ve had a sedative or general anaesthetic).

Wisdom tooth removal is a very common procedure. Our skilled dental surgeons carry out hundreds of wisdom tooth extractions every year without complications.

However, as with any surgery, there are some risks to be aware of, including:

  • Dry socket — This happens when blood doesn’t clot in the gum or the clotted blood becomes dislodged, leading to toothache. Speak to your consultant if you think you might have dry socket.
  • Infection — There’s a small risk of infection after surgery. Follow your aftercare advice closely to avoid this.
  • Bleeding and swelling — These are expected side effects of wisdom tooth removal, and your team will help you manage these.

It depends on your recovery time, how you feel after the surgery and the nature of your job. Many people feel happy to return to work after one or two days, while others may take up to a week off work to recover.

Wisdom teeth removal costs

Flexible Payment Options to Suit You

Payment Plans

Spread the cost of your medical treatment over several months with our finance options and medical payment plans. This is ideal for patients seeking the speed and comfort of private healthcare without significant upfront payments.

Self-pay

Use our self-payment options to get prompt care with the consultant of your choice. Patients looking for fast, efficient treatment without private health insurance are welcome to pay for treatment before their procedure.

Private Medical Insurance

We welcome patients with private medical insurance from approved insurers, including Bupa, AXA, Aviva, and many more. Find out how to claim for your treatment with private health insurance to get optimum care and comfort.

Private medical insurance we accept

Learn more about wisdom tooth extraction

Find out more about the wisdom tooth extraction process, including recovery FAQs.

It takes around 1-2 weeks to fully recover after you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed. During this time, we recommend getting plenty of rest, using over-the-counter painkillers to manage any soreness, and sticking to soft foods for as long as you need to.

Most patients can brush their teeth as normal 2-3 days after their wisdom tooth surgery, depending on whether the swelling and bruising have gone down. If you’re unsure if it’s safe to brush your teeth again, check with your consultant.

You can eat as soon as an hour after surgery. But you’re advised to stick to liquids and soft foods you don’t need to chew for at least the first 24 hours. This includes smoothies, yoghurts, milkshakes, jelly, and warm (not hot) soup.

After 2-3 days, you can introduce other firmer foods like scrambled eggs, salmon, and pasta.

You should avoid grains like rice and quinoa, as well as acidic, alcoholic, and crunchy foods, for at least a week after your procedure.

Wisdom teeth removal surgery can cause inflammation and pressure around the remaining teeth, causing increased sensitivity or even pain. You might also find that other habits (such as clenching or grinding your teeth after surgery) add to this discomfort.

It’s normal for your whole mouth to feel sore after your wisdom teeth have been removed. This type of surgery can impact other teeth temporarily, so in most cases, any discomfort will ease after a few days. If you’re concerned, contact your consultant.

If they’re not causing pain or dental problems, leaving your wisdom teeth in place is usually safe. You only need to have them removed if they’re causing pain or affecting your oral health.

If your wisdom teeth become sore or problematic and you don’t get them removed, it could lead to more severe pain, gum infections and inflammation, jaw damage, and sinus problems.

Patient Reviews