Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth often need removal when they’re impacted, coming through at an angle, partially erupted, or repeatedly causing pain, swelling, infection, or food trapping. Even if you’re not in constant pain, wisdom teeth can still create issues by being difficult to clean and irritating the gums at the back of the mouth. At Beyond Infinity Dental, we generally recommend addressing problematic wisdom teeth as soon as issues are identified, rather than waiting until the pain worsens.

No. Some wisdom teeth erupt fully, sit in a good position, and can be cleaned properly—these may not require removal. The key is whether they’re causing (or likely to cause) problems such as repeated infections, gum swelling, decay, crowding pressure, or pain. Your dentist will look at symptoms, oral exam findings, and X-rays to determine whether monitoring is appropriate or whether removal is the safer option.

Common signs include pain at the back of the jaw, swollen or bleeding gums around the wisdom tooth, bad breath/taste, difficulty opening your mouth, headaches or jaw tension, and recurring infections. Some patients notice food packing at the back of the mouth, or soreness that flares up every few weeks. If you’re getting repeated symptoms, it’s worth booking an assessment before it escalates into a more painful infection.

Wisdom teeth removal shouldn’t be painful during the procedure because your dentist will numb the area. After the extraction, it’s normal to experience some tenderness, swelling, and mild discomfort for a few days as this is part of healing. Most people manage well with the aftercare plan provided by their dentist. If you’re anxious about dental treatment, ask about comfort options such as sleep dentistry during your consultation so the approach matches your needs and the complexity of your case.

For the first couple of days, choose soft, easy-to-chew foods like yoghurt, soups (warm, not hot), mashed vegetables, scrambled eggs, pasta, and smoothies (avoid straws early on if advised). As comfort improves, you can gradually return to your usual diet. Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, or very hot foods initially, as they can irritate the extraction site. Good hydration helps too so sip water regularly.

It depends on whether the tooth is erupted or impacted. Simple extractions are usually quicker, while impacted teeth can take longer and may be surgical. Your dentist can estimate time after reviewing your X-rays. Recovery is typically a few days, with swelling often peaking around day 2–3. Take it easy for 24–48 hours, follow aftercare instructions, and call your dentist if pain worsens after initially improving.

Wisdom teeth removal is common, but it is still a surgical procedure and carries risks such as swelling, infection, bleeding, dry socket, and (in some cases) nerve-related numbness or sinus involvement depending on tooth position. Your dentist will explain risks relevant to your specific X-rays and medical history.