It’s early spring in Sydney, and my hay fever is flaring with all the pollen around Parramatta Park. My lower right wisdom tooth has been aching intermittently, with the pain intensifying when I chew anything cold. A GP said it’s probably partially erupted and suggested I see an oral surgeon, but appointments at Westmead are weeks out. I’m juggling a new job in the CBD and can’t afford long downtime if it’s not urgent. With the NRL finals coming up, weekends are busy with family plans. How do I tell if I should book Wisdom Tooth Removal immediately or try antibiotics, salt rinses, and monitoring for a bit longer?

Totally get the dilemma. I had a partially erupted lower wisdom tooth playing up last spring in Sydney—sore with cold food, on-off tenderness, and a grumpy gum. What helped me decide was watching for infection signs (bad taste, swelling that keeps growing, fever, trouble opening my mouth). My GP said antibiotics only make sense if there’s a confirmed infection; otherwise, saltwater rinses, alternating paracetamol/ibuprofen (as directed), and a soft diet helped calm things while I booked a consultation. I also asked about downtime and the wisdom tooth extraction cost . So I could plan my leave. For a second opinion, I rang Blue Mountains Dental & Implant Centre—they weren’t pushy, and they explained options clearly, including when it’s fine to wait a few weeks. If your pain spikes or swelling increases, I’d bring it to your attention rather than ride it out.