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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 Durban Dental Centre 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 Durban Dental Centre 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 Durban Dental Centre 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 Durban Dental Centre 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 Durban Dental Centre 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 01892 652377.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Durban Dental Centre. 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

862 Reviews

5.0
DC

Deborah C

A great dentist. Have tried other dentist closer to home but prefer the Durban. Lovely helpful staff and great Hygenist.

11th August 2025

Mr A Sim and Kirsty were absolutely brilliant attentive and caring

5th August 2025

I have been using this practice for about 30 years and will continue to do so

2nd August 2025

Lovely reception staff tho sometimes quite pressedCheerful and helpful dental nursesNot being rushed through

JP

J Penn

I see Ashley at Durban Dental and he is superb. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him. His knowledge and clinical skills seem top notch. He offers practical and sound advice, without pushing unnecessary treatments. He gives confidence and is calm and patient. I find the whole team welcoming and very professional. Highly recommended.

31st July 2025

I am a nervous patient but I have every confidence in my dentist. This has changed my whole outlook in coming to the dentist. Also the treatment and results are excellent . The patience and time taken to insure the tooth is smooth after the filling and fits the gap correctly is extraordinary . A very happy patient .

31st July 2025

A very competent dentist who kept me informed throughout the procedure.

18th July 2025

I was experiencing problems with my general health that affected my next step forward with dental treatment. The dentist was extremely understanding and patient coming up with a solution and produced a denture that has been extremely successful.

16th July 2025

Everything was explained as the treatment progressed and I was asked repeatedly if I was okay during the whole process.

10th July 2025

The helpfulness and courtesy of all the staff.

3rd July 2025

All the staff were very kind and helpful.

29th June 2025

Very professional

27th June 2025

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27th June 2025

Courteous, professional, understanding treatment.

10th June 2025

Since being referred to Ashley Sim for the making of a denture, he has been super efficient and kindness itself. Dentists are not my favourite people due to past experiences and all the staff at Durbans have been very understanding.

KL

Katrina Levett

I can't thank Dr Ruth, Dental Nurse EJ and Hygienist Anda enough for their kindness, care and compassion, following my recent extensive dental treatment. I can now smile with confidence. I would highly recommend each of them, and I feel I have found the perfect practice for me. Thank you so much.

KK

Kirsty Kirkness-O'Boyle

Saw Dr Ruth and dental nurse EJ, fantastic and calm service. Kids felt relaxed and well looked after. Their patient is their main priority and they are focussed on well being.

31st May 2025

I am a nervous patient and my dentist explained the procedure for me and gave me the option for him to stop if I needed . ..I felt more in control.

IC

Ian Clabby

Friendly and professional. Ruth and E-J are a great team

21st May 2025

Experienced & helpful staff in a very well organised dental practice. Convenient Parking and close to town center.

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