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Looking for a caring and professional dental practice? We’re excited to welcome new patients to our clinic! Whether you’re due for a check-up, need treatment, or are looking to enhance your smile, our friendly team is here to help.
Contact us today to book your first appointment—we look forward to meeting you!

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are molars which are the last adult teeth to develop in the mouth. Most people have four wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth — 1 in each corner.

They usually start to appear in gums in late teens, early twenties, but it can also be quite common to appear later. By this time, there are already 28 adult teeth in the mouth and so the development of wisdom teeth can often be impacted by restricted space, causing problems as they grow. Wisdom teeth can sometimes emerge at an angle or get stuck and only partially emerge. Teeth that grow through like this are known as impacted.

When to see a Dental Health Private Dental Clinic dentist

Impacted wisdom teeth don't always cause symptoms. However, when an impacted wisdom tooth becomes infected, damages other teeth or causes other dental problems, you may experience some of these signs or symptoms:

Red or swollen gums
Tender or bleeding gums
Jaw pain
Swelling around the jaw
Bad breath
An unpleasant taste in your mouth
Difficulty opening your mouth

As with any teeth problems, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms it's important to book an appointment at Dental Health Private Dental Clinic to see a dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for routine dental health review.

What can I do to help relieve the discomfort of wisdom teeth?

A mouthwash of medium-hot water with a teaspoonful of salt will help to reduce gum soreness and inflammation. Swish the salt water around the tooth, trying to get into the areas your toothbrush cannot reach. Do this several times a day.

An antibacterial mouthwash containing chlorhexidine can also reduce the inflammation. Pain-relieving tablets such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be useful in the short term, but talk to us at Dental Health Private Dental Clinic if the pain continues.

Why are wisdom teeth removed?

If your wisdom teeth are impacted but not causing any problems, you don't usually need to be remove them. This is because there's no proven benefit of doing this and it carries the risk of complications.

Sometimes, wisdom teeth that have become impacted or haven't fully broken through the surface of the gum can cause dental problems. Food and bacteria can get trapped around the edge of the wisdom teeth, causing a build-up of plaque, which can lead to several problems in the mouth:

  • Damage to other teeth. If the wisdom tooth pushes against the second molar, it may damage the second molar or increase the risk of infection in that area. This pressure can also cause problems with crowding of the other teeth or require orthodontic treatment to straighten other teeth.
  • Cysts. The wisdom tooth develops in a sac within the jawbone. The sac can fill with fluid, forming a cyst that can damage the jawbone, teeth and nerves.
  • Decay. Partially impacted wisdom teeth appear to be at higher risk of tooth decay than other teeth. This probably occurs because wisdom teeth are harder to clean and because food and bacteria get easily trapped between the gum and a partially erupted tooth.
  • Gum disease. The difficulty cleaning impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth increases the risk of developing a painful, inflammatory gum disease in that area.

Many of these problems can be treated with antibiotics, antiseptic mouthwash and a good oral hygiene regime.

Wisdom teeth removal is very common, but usually only recommended when other treatments haven't worked.

How are wisdom teeth removed?

If your Dental Health Private Dental Clinic dentist recommends removing your wisdom teeth, they'll take an X-ray of your mouth to help them determine who should carry out the procedure. Your dentist may remove your wisdom teeth, or they may refer you to a specialist surgeon for hospital treatment.

Before the operation, we’ll fully explain the procedure to you.

A local anaesthetic injection is usually given to numb the area around the tooth. You'll feel some pressure just before the tooth is removed, as your dentist or oral surgeon needs to widen the tooth socket by rocking the tooth back and forth.

A small cut in the gum is sometimes necessary, and the tooth may need to be cut into smaller pieces before it's removed.

It takes anything from a few minutes to 20 minutes, or sometimes even longer, to remove a wisdom tooth.

After your wisdom teeth have been removed, you may have swelling and discomfort, both inside and outside your mouth. Occasionally, some mild bruising is also visible. This is usually improves after 3 days, but it can take up to 2 weeks. If this continues for longer, or progresses, please get in touch with the team at Dental Health Private Dental Clinic as soon as possible.

Prevention

You can't keep an impaction from occurring but keeping your regular dental appointments for cleaning and reviews enables your dentist to monitor the growth and emergence of your wisdom teeth. Regularly updated dental X-rays may indicate impacted wisdom teeth before any symptoms develop.

If you have any concerns about your wisdom teeth, or are experiencing any pain, give us a call on 02380 473 612.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Dental Health Private Dental Clinic. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

Patient reviews

550 Reviews

5.0

26th July 2025

Friendly, professional and competent team.

25th July 2025

The staff are always lovely, courteous and efficient

24th July 2025

All the staff were friendly and competent

24th July 2025

I've been with this practice for a few years now and it is light years ahead of any other practice I have been to in my adult life. Friendly people who put you at ease. Exactly what you want in such circumstances. Thank you guys

20th July 2025

I was nervous but James put me at ease and made sure I was OK and comfortable through the appointment. He answered all my questions

19th July 2025

I was happy with the friendly atmosphere which put me at ease. And the relaxed way the dentist made me feel. I used to be very anxious but since going to my dentist of a few years, I am not.

TN

Tiffany Noy

The Dental Health Private Dental Clinic has been nothing short of amazing with my teenager, who has a deep seated phobia of dentists. Every member of staff is so welcoming and thoughtful. The dentist my teen sees takes everything at their pace, so they feel and know they are in control of what happens to them in the dentists chair. Right from our very first visit, it was abundantly clear that their aim was to see my teen for who they are and work with them, gaining their trust and ultimately getting them a step closer to easing that abject fear of visiting, and allowing a dentist to help care for their dental health.

GC

Gina Cooper

Yes very friendly and professional

18th July 2025

Everyone was very friendly, and caring. They considered my needs and made sure I was comfortable and felt safe.

SH

Sue Holbrook

I am very happy to go to that dentist.He is very knowledgeable kind and friendly as are everyone else that works there. I would recommend it very highly.

JW

Julie Ward

Excellent service at this practice . Extremely friendly and put me at ease .

AP

Adam Prioletti

I used to see johann at a previous practice, his care was top notch, recently found him again online and glad I did. Professional prompt service and such a pleasure to have a checkup with him knowing I’m in solid hands

5th July 2025

Been there many years. Lovely team and §ve§r§y§ o§r of§e§s§soon§al.

4th July 2025

There is a very relaxed atmosphere from the moment you walk through the door. All staff and clinicians are very welcoming and explain everything clearly. Thank you for making my visit a pleasurable one.

2nd July 2025

every one was helpful

27th June 2025

Very pleasant and helpful staff at reception. Very helpful hygienist. Extremely pleasant and kind dentist who put me at my ease.

RC

Robert Cartwright

I use Johanne and his assistant Stephanie for my dental care — they are both excellent. Very professional, friendly, and always take the time to explain things clearly. I always feel well looked after and in good hands. Highly recommended.

13th June 2025

All staff very welcoming. Excellent service.

7th June 2025

Extraction was performed really well, with plenty of explanation of what would happen, and updates as the procedure progressed. Also, very supportive nurse.

D

dgreatz

Have been coming here for hygiene appointments for a couple of years now and Janet has been so good and does a great job. She has a calming manner that helps to ease the nerves of having dental work. 5*

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