Publisher: Benefits of Keeping Wisdom Teeth. General educational information; this article has not been reviewed by a licensed dental professional.
The number of days a tooth has hurt does not identify the cause. Pain before removal and pain after surgery need different context. This page cannot tell you that discomfort is harmless eruption or diagnose an infection from a symptom chart.
Before a tooth has been removed
Ask a dentist to assess new or persistent wisdom-tooth pain. Record when it began, whether it is changing and whether there are other symptoms. An examination may be needed to identify the tooth or nearby structure responsible.
After removal
NHS guidance describes pain and swelling during recovery, sometimes lasting up to two weeks. That is a general description rather than a deadline for normal recovery. Use your treating team’s instructions and contact them if the course differs from what they told you to expect.
Changes that need help
Contact a dentist promptly for severe or worsening pain and swelling, bleeding that does not stop, or pain with a bad taste, fever or feeling unwell. Difficulty breathing or swallowing needs emergency medical attention through your local emergency service.
What to report when you call
- Whether the tooth is still present or was recently removed.
- The date of the procedure, if applicable.
- How the pain and swelling have changed.
- Bleeding, fever, bad taste or other symptoms.
- What your treating team advised and what you have taken.
What this article does not prescribe
The earlier version supplied fixed eruption cycles and a symptom table that could be mistaken for diagnosis. Those have been removed. This page does not recommend antibiotics, medication doses or home treatment of an infection.
Our appointment-preparation guide can help organize information for the clinician.
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