Wisdom tooth pain: symptoms and when to get urgent help

Wisdom tooth symptoms can overlap with toothache, gum infection, jaw problems and dental abscess. Assessment is needed if symptoms are severe, worsening or keep coming back.

• Pain around a partly erupted tooth at the back of the mouth.
• Swollen, red or tender gum around the tooth.
• Food trapping or difficulty cleaning around the wisdom tooth.
• Unpleasant taste, bad breath or fluid from the gum area.
• Pain when biting, chewing or opening the mouth.
• Facial swelling, fever, tiredness or feeling unwell.

1. 1Brush gently around the area with a soft toothbrush, without forcing the gum.
2. 2Rinse after food if you can do so safely. Adults may use warm salty water; children should not try this if there is a risk they may swallow it.
3. 3Choose soft foods and avoid chewing on the painful side if this triggers symptoms.
4. 4Avoid very hot, very cold or sweet foods and drinks if they worsen pain.
5. 5Use pain relief only if it is suitable for you and follow the packet instructions. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.
6. 6Arrange dental assessment if pain lasts, keeps returning, or is linked with swelling, bad taste, fever or limited mouth opening.

• Do not press, cut or poke the gum over the wisdom tooth.
• Do not place aspirin or any other medicine directly on the gum or tooth.
• Do not use leftover prescription medicines or someone else's medicine.
• Do not ignore facial swelling, fever, bad taste, worsening pain or difficulty opening the mouth.
• Do not wait for a routine check-up if symptoms suggest infection or are affecting normal activities.

Urgent dental care may be needed when wisdom tooth pain suggests infection, spreading swelling, limited mouth opening, systemic illness or pain that is not controlled with suitable self-care.

• Severe or worsening pain at the back of the mouth.
• Swelling around the gum, cheek or jaw.
• Bad taste, pus, fever, nausea, fatigue or feeling generally unwell.
• Difficulty opening the mouth or discomfort when swallowing.
• Pain affecting sleep, eating or daily activities.
• Repeated flare-ups around the same wisdom tooth.

If you cannot access your own dentist and need urgent help, use NHS 111 or 111 online. NHS 111 can advise the next step but does not guarantee an appointment.

• Difficulty breathing, swallowing saliva or speaking.
• Severe swelling of the mouth, throat, neck or around the eye.
• Confusion, extreme drowsiness, collapse or signs of severe illness.
• Serious injury to the face or jaw.
• Heavy mouth bleeding that will not stop.

A dentist may examine the wisdom tooth, gum flap, neighbouring tooth, bite, jaw movement and nearby tissues. They may take an X-ray to check the tooth position.

Depending on assessment, care may include cleaning trapped debris, treating inflammation or infection, adjusting a biting tooth that is traumatising the gum, monitoring the tooth, removing the wisdom tooth, or referring you for specialist care.