Dental emergency? Here’s what to do and who to call
Dentist Disaster

Pain & emergencies

Wisdom teeth problems

See a dentist soon2 treatment options

Wisdom teeth that are stuck or only part-way through can cause pain, swelling and infections. When they need removing - and when they don't.

How urgent is it? See a dentist soon

See a dentist if the area is painful or swollen. Seek urgent help (dentist or NHS 111) if you have spreading swelling, a high temperature or feel unwell; go to A&E if swelling affects your breathing or swallowing.

When to call 999, NHS 111 or your dentist

What it is

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through, usually between the late teens and mid-twenties, although they can cause problems at any age. Some people have four, some fewer and some none at all.

Problems usually happen when there is not enough room for a wisdom tooth to come through fully. It may be stuck against the tooth in front (impacted) or partly covered by gum, trapping food and bacteria. This can lead to a painful gum infection called pericoronitis, decay, gum disease, a cyst or an abscess.

Wisdom teeth that are healthy, fully through and easy to clean usually do not need to come out, and trouble-free teeth are normally left and monitored at check-ups. If a wisdom tooth keeps causing problems, it can be removed on the NHS when clinically necessary.

Signs and causes

Common signs

  • Sore, swollen or tender gum at the back of the mouth
  • Difficulty opening your mouth fully
  • Pain when chewing
  • A bad taste or bad breath
  • Swelling of the face or jaw

Usual causes

  • Not enough space in the jaw for the tooth to come through
  • A tooth growing at an angle and becoming impacted
  • Food and plaque trapped under gum partly covering the tooth
  • Decay in a partly erupted tooth or the tooth in front

Ways to fix it

The options a dentist may discuss with you, and when each one tends to be used. Which one suits you depends on an examination.

  1. Daily oral hygiene

    Mild, occasional soreness: careful cleaning with a small-headed or single-tufted brush and warm salt-water rinses.

    Available on the NHSHome care

  2. Wisdom tooth removal

    Repeated infections, pain, decay, cysts, or a tooth damaging the one in front.

    Available on the NHSSurgical

What you can do now

  • Clean around the area carefully with a small-headed or single-tufted toothbrush
  • Rinse with warm salt water
  • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, following the pack instructions
  • Eat soft foods while the area is sore

Preventing it

  • Keep the back of the mouth as clean as possible, especially around a partly erupted tooth
  • Attend check-ups so your dentist can monitor wisdom teeth with X-rays where needed

Common questions

Do all wisdom teeth need to come out?

No. Healthy wisdom teeth that are fully through and easy to clean usually do not need to be removed. They are normally left and monitored if they are not causing problems.

How much does wisdom tooth removal cost on the NHS?

When done by an NHS dentist in England it is a Band 2 treatment (£76.60 from April 2026) unless you are exempt. The NHS says there is no charge if you are referred to a hospital for NHS treatment.

What is pericoronitis?

It is an infection of the gum around a wisdom tooth that is only partly through, usually because food and plaque get trapped under the gum.

Products that may help at home

These support good daily care; they don’t replace treatment from a dentist. Some links may be affiliate links.

TePe Compact Tuft

A single-tuft brush for precision cleaning where a normal brush struggles – around brackets, along the gumline, crowded teeth…

Features & who it suits

Sources we used

Checked September 2026. Guidance changes, so always follow the advice of your own dental team. About our sources.