Wisdom tooth pain usually starts at the very back of the mouth and can quickly become severe, making it difficult to eat, sleep or even open your mouth properly. It is often caused by an infection around a partially erupted tooth. Our emergency dentist in Daventry can assess the tooth, relieve the pain and explain what needs to happen next.
Need urgent help? Call 01327 577023 or request an appointment. Emergency appointments in Daventry from £65 — see our fees.
Symptoms of a wisdom tooth problem
- Aching or throbbing pain at the back of the jaw, often on one side
- Red, swollen or bleeding gum over a partly erupted tooth
- A bad taste or bad breath that will not go away
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully (trismus)
- Pain when swallowing, or swelling of the cheek and jaw
- Earache or headache on the same side
Pericoronitis: the usual culprit
When a wisdom tooth only partially breaks through the gum, a flap of tissue is left over the top. Food and bacteria collect underneath it and the gum becomes infected — this is called pericoronitis. It is the most common reason people in their late teens and twenties end up needing an emergency dentist. It typically flares up, settles a little, then returns worse, so it is worth dealing with properly rather than waiting for it to pass.
How wisdom tooth pain is treated
At your emergency appointment the dentist will examine the area and usually take an X-ray to see the position of the tooth and its roots. Immediate treatment focuses on relieving the pain: cleaning and irrigating under the gum flap, and prescribing antibiotics if the infection has spread. Once the acute problem has settled, the options are to keep the tooth and manage it with careful cleaning, or to have it removed. Straightforward wisdom teeth can often be removed at the practice; deeply impacted ones may need a referral to an oral surgeon.
Self-care while you wait
- Rinse with warm salty water several times a day, especially after eating
- Use over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the packet
- Clean gently around the tooth with a small-headed or single-tufted brush
- Stick to softer food and chew on the other side
- Use a cold compress on the outside of the face for swelling
Call 999 or go to A&E if you develop spreading facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or you cannot open your mouth more than a couple of centimetres alongside a fever.
We help patients across Daventry, Long Buckby, Crick, Braunston, Weedon Bec, Kilsby, Norton, Badby, Staverton and the wider NN11 area.
Frequently asked questions
Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?
No. Wisdom teeth that are healthy, fully erupted, in the right position and can be kept clean do not need removing. Removal is recommended when a tooth repeatedly causes infection, decay, damage to the neighbouring tooth, or cysts.
How long does wisdom tooth pain last?
An episode of pericoronitis may ease within a week or two, but it very commonly comes back. Because the underlying cause — the gum flap over the tooth — is still there, most people get repeated flare-ups until the tooth is treated or removed.
Can I get a wisdom tooth taken out on the same day?
Sometimes. If the tooth is accessible and the infection is not acute, a straightforward extraction may be possible at the emergency visit. Impacted or difficult teeth are usually treated once the infection has settled, or referred to an oral surgeon.
Do antibiotics fix wisdom tooth pain?
Antibiotics can settle a spreading infection, but they do not fix the cause. Cleaning under the gum, and in many cases removing the tooth, is what stops the problem coming back.
What does emergency wisdom tooth treatment cost in Daventry?
The emergency appointment starts from £65, including assessment, X-rays where needed and immediate pain relief. The cost of any extraction or further treatment is explained clearly beforehand.
Need urgent help? Call 01327 577023 or request an appointment. Emergency appointments in Daventry from £65 — see our fees.
