Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief: Effective Ways to Manage Discomfort
Contents
Around 22.6% of the worldwide population doesn’t have wisdom teeth, but the remaining part experiences their eruption between 17 and 21 years. The process is often accompanied by jaw ache and gum sensitivity, which induces people to look for things to help wisdom tooth pain go away. Our experts share actionable techniques to use at home to diminish the discomfort caused by third molars. However, you should understand that these remedies are temporary and book a dental appointment to prevent possible complications.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Cause Pain?
Wisdom teeth eruption rarely goes seamlessly. The jaw of an average person usually doesn’t provide enough space for them to grow in the correct position. This causes pain that affects the adjacent teeth and potential problems such as crowding, crookedness, and incomplete eruption. Even if you had your teeth straightened with braces or clear aligners, the newly arrived third molars can spoil the result. Thus, it’s vital to ask a dentist for a professional evaluation of your dental X-rays and potential tooth extraction.
Home Remedies for Immediate Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief
If you seek how to help wisdom tooth pain cease, consider these temporary solutions. They won’t replace professional treatment, but can help you endure the time till you see a dentist.
- Salt Water Rinses and Cold Compresses
Salt has antibacterial properties, which places a salty solution among effective wisdom tooth pain home remedies. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of lukewarm water, rinse your mouth for a minute, and spit it out. Repeat as needed throughout the day. This homemade mouthwash can alleviate the discomfort from swollen gums and promote wound healing.
Cold compresses applied to the problematic area can provide a numbing effect and relief. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and press it to your cheek for 15–20 minutes. Repeat the procedure several times a day to reduce swelling around the troublesome wisdom teeth.
- Natural Remedies: Clove Oil and Garlic
Clove essential oil is another natural remedy for wisdom tooth pain due to its antiseptic and anesthetic properties. Pour several drops on a cotton bud and apply gently to the affected area. Don’t use this technique if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Garlic paste can help reduce inflammation and fight infection. Grind a clove of garlic into a paste and apply it to the affected area. Rinse your mouth with water after several minutes.
- Over-the-Counter Solutions
Many people use pain relievers like ibuprofen to temporarily get rid of wisdom tooth pain. However, you shouldn’t do it without talking to your dentist first. While over-the-counter pills can diminish the throbbing sensation, this is not a durable solution.
You can also ask a pharmacist to recommend an over-the-counter gel with benzocaine. It can help lessen irritation and calm sore gums.
When Wisdom Tooth Pain Becomes Serious
Wisdom tooth pain can be a sign of infection caused by bacterial buildup. If untreated, it can spread through the mouth to the upper respiratory tract. Though rarely, it can also cause sepsis. Other common dental problems that are associated with wisdom tooth pain include:
- Cysts. If a tooth becomes impacted, a sac in the jawbone where it develops can fill with fluid and form a cyst.
- Dental abscesses. Since wisdom teeth are located at the back of the mouth, they are usually problematic to clean. Plaque buildup can result in a dental abscess, which is considered an emergency in dentistry.
These warning signs indicate that you should seek professional dental care as soon as possible.
When to See a Dentist for Extraction
Sometimes it’s reasonable to consider wisdom tooth extraction: positioning of third molars may negatively affect the adjacent teeth and dental row. We recommend visiting a dentist to examine the painful tooth and getting professional treatment in the following cases:
- Intense fever, redness, or swelling;
- Pain doesn’t subside with any home wisdom tooth pain remedy;
- Opening your mouth and chewing becomes problematic;
- A pus in the mouth;
- Metallic taste in the oral cavity.
The last two symptoms may indicate infection, so you shouldn’t ignore them. The earlier you see a dental practitioner, the better. A doctor can take dental X-rays to detect the reason for the ongoing pain and assess whether there is enough space for your wisdom teeth to erupt without complications.
When third molars grow at an incorrect angle, tooth extraction is the only way to save your smile from impaction. In other cases, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat an infection and provide wisdom tooth pain relief.
Conclusion
Wisdom teeth may cause numerous problems: from cavities and gum disease to cysts and bite misalignment. Their eruption is usually marked by intense, ongoing pain, which is a clear indicator to visit a dentist for all-encompassing mouth evaluation.
Several home remedies can provide short-term relief from persistent tooth ache, such as salt water rinses, cold compresses, clove oil, and garlic paste. Over-the-counter options like ibuprofen and gels with benzocaine should be used only after consulting a dentist.
When it comes to wisdom teeth teething, addressing a professional is not a doctor’s whim but a long-term investment in your oral health. Sometimes it’s best to have problematic wisdom teeth extracted rather than deal with the hazardous consequences years later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Tooth Pain
How long does wisdom tooth pain last?
This depends on the cause of the pain. When a wisdom tooth is cutting through the gum, it may last a few days to a week. Gum infection causes repeated pain that can continue for weeks until treated. You should sound an alarm if the pain lasts over a week and arrange a dental visit to check on the reason for discomfort.
How to get a wisdom tooth to stop hurting?
The only credible way to stop wisdom tooth pain is to have them surgically extracted. Third molars usually don’t erupt concurrently, making a person experience discomfort every time a new tooth appears. However, the decision should be taken only in collaboration with a qualified doctor: there is no uniform solution.
Can wisdom tooth pain go away on its own?
When wisdom teeth are properly positioned and undamaged, the pain can go away on its own. Intense and persistent pain can be a marker of infection, so it’s reasonable not to count on good luck and check on the condition of your oral cavity in a dental office.
Is swelling normal when wisdom teeth come in?
Swelling is a common physiological reaction to the eruption process. It can happen for different reasons, but typically, a wisdom tooth pushes through the gum line and irritates the tissue. Sometimes, it is accompanied by inflammation, bleeding, or infection.
Additional Resources
Learn more about the issues with lower wisdom teeth and explore different options for their positioning in a comprehensive leaflet by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
