That dull ache right at the back of your jaw, the one that's worse when you chew, isn't always a cavity. If a wisdom tooth is pushing up sideways or the gum over it is swollen, painkillers only buy you a few more days. At Care Plus Dental Clinic in Sector 8, Sanpada, Dr. Divya Vitkar hears this story on repeat: someone who's been chewing on one side for weeks. Here's what actually decides whether that tooth needs to come out.
The signs that point to a wisdom tooth, not just a bad day
Wisdom teeth usually arrive between 17 and 25, right at the back where there's often not enough room left for them. When one gets stuck against the tooth in front, or only partly breaks through the gum, it traps food and bacteria under the flap of gum covering it.
That trapped bacteria is what causes most of the pain, not the tooth itself. Left alone, the infection tends to flare up again and again rather than settle on its own, which is why the same ache keeps coming back every few weeks.
- Pain or swelling at the very back of the jaw, often on one side
- A bad taste or smell that returns even after brushing
- Difficulty opening your mouth all the way
- A swollen, tender flap of gum behind your last molar
- Pain that spreads towards your ear or jaw joint
Simple extraction or surgical removal: what decides it
Not every wisdom tooth needs surgery. One that has come through straight and sits fully above the gum can often be removed the same way any other tooth is: numbed and lifted out in a single short visit.
An impacted tooth, still under the gum or angled into the tooth next to it, needs a surgical approach instead. That means a small opening in the gum, and sometimes a little bone reshaping, to free the tooth safely. Dr. Vitkar holds Basic Life Support certification from D.Y. Patil University alongside training in Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice, exactly the kind of preparation a surgical extraction calls for.
An X-ray beforehand shows which situation applies to you, including how close the roots sit to a nerve. That gets decided before you're in the chair, not worked out during the appointment.
What wisdom tooth removal costs in Sanpada
A straightforward extraction starts from around ₹1,000 in the Navi Mumbai area. A surgical removal for an impacted tooth starts from around ₹5,000, since it takes longer and needs more planning beforehand.
What moves the number from there is how impacted the tooth is, whether teeth on both sides need treating, and any imaging beyond a standard X-ray. Exact pricing depends on case complexity, and you'll get a real figure once Dr. Vitkar has actually examined the tooth, not before.
Recovery: what the first week actually looks like
Swelling usually peaks around the second day and eases from there. Most people manage the first few days with the pain relief they're prescribed, plus cold, soft food.
Simple extractions settle fastest, often close to normal within a couple of days. Surgical removals take longer: expect most of a week before you're comfortably eating on that side again.
The instructions that matter most are for the first 24 hours: no rinsing, spitting, smoking or drinking through a straw. Any of these can dislodge the clot protecting the socket, and that leads to a dry socket, which is genuinely more painful than the extraction itself.
Call the clinic if bleeding hasn't settled by the next day, or if pain sharply worsens after day three rather than easing. That pattern isn't normal healing and is worth having checked.
When you don't need to do anything about it
Not every wisdom tooth is a problem. One that has come through straight, meets the tooth opposite it, and that you can clean properly usually causes no trouble at all.
If yours isn't hurting, isn't swollen, and a toothbrush can actually reach it, there's no reason to have it removed just because it exists. Dr. Vitkar will say so plainly if an X-ray shows nothing worth acting on.
Frequently asked questions
Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?
No. A wisdom tooth that has erupted fully, meets its opposite tooth, and can be kept clean usually causes no problems and can stay exactly where it is. Removal is for teeth that are impacted, repeatedly infected, or damaging the tooth beside them.
How painful is a wisdom tooth extraction?
The area is fully numbed before anything starts, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure itself. Afterwards, soreness for a few days is normal and is managed with the pain relief you're prescribed.
How many days off work do I actually need?
A simple extraction rarely needs more than a day. A surgical removal for an impacted tooth usually needs two to three days, more if your work is physically demanding. Dr. Vitkar will give you a realistic estimate based on your own case.
What is a dry socket, and how do I avoid one?
It's when the blood clot protecting the socket comes away too early, exposing the bone underneath, and it's genuinely painful. Avoiding rinsing, spitting, smoking and straws for the first 24 hours is what prevents it.
Will I need stitches afterwards?
Simple extractions often don't need any. Surgical removals usually get a few dissolvable stitches to help the gum heal cleanly, and that's explained before the procedure so nothing about it comes as a surprise.
Can an infected wisdom tooth wait until my next check-up?
If there's swelling, spreading pain, or trouble opening your mouth, don't wait. Those signs point to an infection that can worsen quickly, and it's worth being seen sooner than your next routine visit.
If a wisdom tooth has been bothering you for more than a few days, book a visit at Care Plus Dental Clinic, Shop no. 17, Tricity Montview, Sector 8, Sanpada. You can also read more about Dr. Divya Vitkar's training and credentials, or browse the clinic's full range of treatments, including the surgical extraction options covered above.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Impacted Wisdom Teeth; American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: Wisdom Teeth.