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Oral surgery: having a tooth taken out
Sometimes a tooth needs to come out. Wisdom teeth are a common reason. A dentist or a specialist can do it.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. It does not replace a check by a dentist or doctor. If you are worried, contact a dental professional.
Why wisdom teeth may need to come out
Wisdom teeth come in late, often in the teens or early 20s. If there is not enough space, they can get stuck. This can cause:
- Pain and swelling.
- Gum infection.
- Food getting stuck, tooth decay or gum disease.
- An abscess.
If a wisdom tooth causes no problems, it is usually left alone and checked at your normal visits.
What happens
- You usually get a numbing injection, so it does not hurt.
- Some people also get medicine to relax, or are put to sleep, if the tooth is hard to remove or they are very anxious.
- It often takes only a few minutes, and not more than 40 minutes.
- Most people go home the same day.
Afterwards
- Some pain and swelling is normal for up to 2 weeks. It should start to improve after 1 or 2 days.
- Eat soft food. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed.
- If it bleeds, press on the area with a clean cloth for at least 10 minutes.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol while it heals.
Get urgent help if
- Bleeding that does not stop.
- Pain and swelling that is severe or getting worse, and painkillers do not help.
- Pain with a bad taste, a high temperature, or feeling unwell.
Ask for an urgent dentist appointment.
⚠ Get emergency help now if you have
- Swelling near your eye, or in your neck.
- Swelling that makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak.
- You cannot open your mouth, or there is a lot of swelling inside it.
Call your local emergency number or go to an emergency department now. Do not drive yourself.
Related: All dental treatments
Sources
Paraphrased in plain words. Links checked and accessed 21 Oct 2026.
- NHS (UK). “Wisdom tooth removal”. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/wisdom-tooth-removal/ (accessed 21 Oct 2026).
- NHS (UK). “Dental abscess”. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dental-abscess/ (accessed 21 Oct 2026).