한국어 
简体中文 SYMPTOM · WISDOM TOOTH
My wisdom tooth hurts
Why is the area around my wisdom tooth swollen and painful, and does it have to come out?
The short answer
Why is the area around my wisdom tooth swollen and painful, and does it have to come out?
Most wisdom tooth pain is pericoronitis, which occurs when food and bacteria get trapped under the gum covering a partly erupted wisdom tooth. In the acute phase it is calmed with cleaning and medication, and extraction is recommended for wisdom teeth that cause repeated inflammation or cause cavities or bone loss in the neighboring molar. On the other hand, a wisdom tooth that has come in straight, can be cleaned well and causes no problems does not need to be removed. We check the distance to the nerve canal with a panoramic X-ray, and CT when needed, and then decide on the extraction method and timing.
When a wisdom tooth hurts, what are the common causes?
- 01
Pericoronitis Glossary (Korean) →
Inflammation under the gum flap. The area behind the back molars swells, it hurts to swallow and opening the mouth becomes uncomfortable.
- 02
Cavity in the wisdom tooth
Being at the very back where a toothbrush does not reach, it gets cavities easily, and by the time they are found they are often already deep.
- 03
Damage to the neighboring molar Glossary (Korean) →
When a sideways wisdom tooth presses on the root of the molar in front, that tooth develops a cavity or bone loss. In these cases the molar in front is more of a problem than the wisdom tooth.
- 04
Eruption pain
Pain from the wisdom tooth pushing through the gum as it comes in sometimes settles after a few days.
- 05
Cyst
Rarely, a fluid-filled sac forms around an impacted wisdom tooth and dissolves bone. It is found on a panoramic X-ray without any pain.
Come in right away, without putting it off, if
- Your cheek is swollen and you have a fever, or you cannot open your mouth wider than two fingers’ width
- It is hard to swallow, or the swelling extends to your neck — seek care immediately
- The inflammation has come back two or more times
- The molar in front has also started to be sensitive or painful
Call us during opening hours 02-877-2867 · If swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, go to an emergency room first.
How does Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon check it?
- 1
A panoramic X-ray shows the direction of the wisdom tooth, how impacted it is, the shape of its roots, and its relationship to the lower jaw nerve canal and the upper jaw maxillary sinus.
- 2
If it appears to overlap the nerve canal, 3D CT checks the actual distance to assess the risk of nerve injury.
- 3
If there is acute inflammation, it is first calmed with cleaning and prescriptions, and the extraction is scheduled after the inflammation has settled.
- 4
We explain the difficulty of the extraction (simple or complex impaction), the expected recovery period and precautions, and set it for a day when your schedule has some room.
How our equipment works is explained on the equipment page.
Which treatment does it lead to?
- Wisdom tooth extraction → Repeated inflammation, cavities, damage to the neighboring tooth, cysts. Impacted wisdom teeth close to the nerve are planned based on CT.
- Cavity treatment for the molar in front → A cavity in the molar in front caused by the wisdom tooth is treated together with the extraction.
What can I do at home before my appointment?
- When it is swollen and painful, rinse 2–3 times a day with warm salt water, and clean all the way behind the wisdom tooth with a soft toothbrush or a single-tuft toothbrush.
- For 24 hours after extraction, avoid straws, smoking, strenuous exercise and hot food. If the blood clot comes off, the pain becomes severe with dry socket.
- After extraction, it is normal for swelling to peak on day 2–3 and then go down; pain that newly gets worse after day 4 needs to be seen.
- Take prescribed medication for the full period.
Frequently asked questions
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Q1. Do wisdom teeth always have to be removed?
No. A wisdom tooth that has come in straight, can be cleaned well and has no cavities or inflammation is left in place and monitored at regular check-ups. Extraction is recommended for wisdom teeth that cause repeated inflammation or damage the neighboring tooth, and impacted wisdom teeth that cannot be cleaned.
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Q2. I heard my lip can go numb after a lower wisdom tooth extraction. Is that true?
If the lower jaw nerve canal and the wisdom tooth roots are close, a temporary change in sensation can occur after extraction, and rarely it lasts a long time. That is why, if they appear to overlap on the panoramic X-ray, we check the distance with CT, and if the risk is high, we consider methods such as leaving part of the root. We explain the degree of risk at the consultation.
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Q3. How many days of rest do I need after extraction?
After a simple extraction, daily activities are possible on the same day; an impacted wisdom tooth brings 2–3 days of swelling and discomfort, so it is best to avoid important plans. Stitches are removed at around 1 week.
References
※ This page is for general information and does not replace a diagnosis. Causes and treatment differ from person to person, and treatment can have side effects. Last reviewed 2026-09-11 · Director Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry)
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