Wisdom teeth usually come through between the late teens and mid-twenties, and for many people they arrive without trouble. For others there isn’t enough room, and the tooth comes through partly, at an angle, or not at all. Here’s how to tell when wisdom tooth pain needs a dentist, what you can do in the meantime, and what treatment involves at North Ryde Dentistry.
Common signs of a problem wisdom tooth
- pain or tenderness at the back of the mouth
- swollen, red gum over a partly erupted tooth
- a bad taste or smell from that area
- pain when opening wide or chewing
- food getting trapped behind the back teeth
A partly erupted wisdom tooth can trap food and bacteria under the gum, causing an infection called pericoronitis. It often flares up, settles, and flares up again.
When to be seen urgently
Call us the same day if you have swelling in your face or jaw, pain that keeps you awake, or difficulty opening your mouth. Go to a hospital emergency department or call 000 if swelling is spreading, you have a fever with swelling, or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
What you can do until you’re seen
- Rinse gently with warm salty water after meals.
- Keep the area clean with a soft toothbrush.
- Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the packet.
- Use a cold compress on your cheek for swelling.
What happens at your appointment
Your dentist will examine the area and take an x-ray to see the position of the tooth and its roots. If you’re in pain, an emergency appointment with an exam and OPG x-ray starts at $195. Sometimes the first step is cleaning the area and managing infection; removal may be planned once things have settled.
If removal is recommended, tooth extraction at North Ryde Dentistry, including wisdom teeth, ranges from $200 to $600 per tooth. Many wisdom teeth can be removed at the practice. Deeply impacted teeth, or teeth close to the nerve, may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Your dentist will explain the options, risks and cost before any treatment.
Getting here
We’re at 64 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, opposite Macquarie Centre and three minutes’ walk from Macquarie University Metro, with free parking on site. We’re open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturday 8:30am to 4pm.
Read more about wisdom teeth removal in North Ryde, or call (02) 8090 1102 or book online.