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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 Cedar Dental Care 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 Cedar Dental Care to see a dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for a 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 Cedar Dental Care 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 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 Cedar Dental Care 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 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 Cedar Dental Care 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 01635 867979.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

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

1669 Reviews

5.0

19th June 2025

I have been a patient for 25 years,this speaks volumes for there service given to me over the years

19th June 2025

Abigail Dundas has been my dentist for quite a few years and also looked after my kids when they were at home, I have always had complete confidence and trust in her professionally she is always super friendly which makes each visit very pleasant. The practice is always well equiped, clean, efficient and the staff are friendly, professional and courteous.

19th June 2025

Greeted with a friendly acknowledgment on arrival Rav as always professional his nurse was friendly too

19th June 2025

Reception friendly and checked me in knowing who I was - very professional. The dentist very good, explaining further treatment needed and how we are going to do next appointment taking into consideration problems that could arise from Hyperacusis. I left the dentist happy and ready for the next appointment. Assistant very friendly and supportive. Very pleased with the care I received and support. Thank you.

18th June 2025

all the staff, both receptionists and clinicians exceptionally helpful, kind and courteous. couldn't have better attention

17th June 2025

Reception staff are welcoming, checking in is easy and quick. Waiting area is big, with nice seating, toys for children and tv for viewing.Abbie, our dentist is always so friendly, offers advice when needed and reassurance. My children and I have always felt so comfortable with Abbie.Booking appointments is effortless, it’s always easy to get an appointment at a time that suits. Practice is bright, clean, tidy and welcoming. Would highly recommend.

16th June 2025

As a new patient I was made to feel welcome and comfortable. I was listened to when talking about my dental history. I was also given a thorough assessment by the dentist.

15th June 2025

The ladies on reception are always so positive and helpful and friendly.

15th June 2025

All of the staff are highly professional, friendly and efficient. I don't ever enjoy going to the dentist but everyone makes the experience as calm and gentle as it can be, thank you

14th June 2025

No pain whatsoever after treatment unlike before.

14th June 2025

Every member of the cedar team are attentive and make the whole experience of visiting the dentist a pleasure, even when you are having more invasive treatments

13th June 2025

I have always been satisfied with my treatment with Cedar Dental Practice.

MP

mike pack

We’ve been going to Cedar Dental in Thatcham for years, and after talking up the dentists to my friend yesterday, I wanted to write a review. The team’s communication for appointments is great, and the setup is welcoming, but our dentist Rav is just brilliant! He’s incredibly easy to talk to, professional, and seems to genuinely care about his patients. What stands out most is how fantastic he is with our daughter—Rav has a special way of making every visit engaging and positive, turning what could be a daunting experience into something she “almost” looks forward to! I can’t recommend Rav and Cedar Dental highly enough!

12th June 2025

Everyone is so efficient in there job

12th June 2025

No problems with anything

11th June 2025

Being a nervous patient I always feel very comfortable at Cedar Dental, brilliant staff, friendly & welcoming

11th June 2025

The receptionists were very welcoming and friendly. I saw Mr Patel who was also very friendly and informative.

8th June 2025

Professional and friendly

7th June 2025

All the staff inspire confidence and calm . Rav our dentist always makes my grandchildren feel completely at ease . They trust him as do I

6th June 2025

Welcoming and friendly receptionist and dentist. Proficient and efficient treatment. Respectful staff.

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