Wisdom Teeth

Recovery time varies from person to person and depends on how straightforward the removal is. Typically, you might experience some swelling and tenderness for the first few days. This can usually be managed effectively with over-the-counter pain relief, as recommended by your dentist. Many patients find they can get back to their normal activities quite quickly after the procedure.

If your wisdom tooth isn’t causing you any pain or discomfort, then often there’s no need to take it out. Sometimes, infections can be managed with antibiotics, and even if a tooth is a little stuck (impacted), we can often just keep a close eye on it during your regular dental check-ups. However, if problems keep occurring, or if the impacted tooth is making it difficult to keep your other teeth clean, we might advise removal as the best long-term solution.

We always use a local anaesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the wisdom tooth removal, so you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure. You might feel a bit of pressure as we gently loosen the tooth, but this won’t be painful and is usually over quite quickly.

The time it takes can vary, from just a few minutes to around half an hour, depending on how complex the situation is. Your dentist will be able to give you a better idea of the expected timeframe during your initial consultation.

Yes, for a little while after your wisdom tooth removal, it’s best to steer clear of hard, chewy, or very acidic foods. These could potentially get stuck in the extraction site and cause discomfort or increase the risk of infection. We usually recommend sticking to soft foods and making sure you drink plenty of fluids in the initial period. Your dentist will give you detailed aftercare advice, including how long you can expect your recovery to take.