Everything You Need To Know About Wisdom Teeth
Also called the third molars, wisdom teeth hurt a bit as they come through the gums, even when they’re completely normal. But there are several things that can go wrong as wisdom teeth come in. An x-ray can usually tell what’s happening if it isn’t obvious. When something goes wrong, wisdom tooth pain is the result.
You may need wisdom teeth removal if:
They’re impacted.
One or all wisdom teeth can be trapped under the gums or within the jawbone, which can be very painful. To relieve this wisdom tooth pain permanently, removal is necessary.
They’re coming in at the wrong angle.
When this happens, the wisdom teeth can press against other teeth, threatening to damage them and also causing a lot of pain. Wisdom teeth removal is recommended in this case to save the other teeth and stop the pain.
There’s no place for them.
In some cases, there simply isn’t enough room in your mouth for the extra molars. Removing them is the safest course of action to prevent damage to other teeth and get rid of the wisdom tooth pain.
They’re infected or have cavities.
It can be hard to reach third molars with a toothbrush and floss, meaning that they can become damaged or diseased. Removing them removes the disease or damage and restores a healthy mouth.
Temporary Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief
If you have wisdom tooth pain that you think may be normal or the result of temporary inflammation, there are some actions you can take at home that may help. Keep in mind that many kinds of wisdom tooth pain will not get better until the teeth are removed.
Still, you may want to try the following ideas for temporary pain relief:
Mouth rinse home remedy.
Salt Water Rinse For Wisdom Tooth Pain
Mix 1 cup warm water with 1 teaspoon salt until dissolved. Swish this mixture for about a minute, then spit it out. Don’t swallow it. You can repeat this as often as necessary. This longtime remedy for mouth pain is most effective on irritated gums and oral tissue and can’t help swelling or pain that’s deep within the jaw.
Benzocaine products.
If oral pain from irritated gums is getting in the way of your day, you can temporarily numb the pain with a benzocaine product or other topical anesthetic. These come under the names Oragel or Cepacol lozenges. For the best results, press a dry cloth on the area before use of a gel anesthetic so that as much of the product as possible contacts the area and doesn’t wash away.
Clove oil.
Sometimes regarded as folk medicine, clove oil is proven to work on toothaches, including wisdom tooth pain. The Mayo Clinic even suggests it for the purpose. If you have whole cloves in your pantry, try holding one or several directly on the painful area. You should experience some gentle numbing. For clove oil, apply to the sore area with a cotton swab or ball.
Ibuprofen.
Most over-the-counter pain relievers work on tooth pain, but you may get the best results for wisdom tooth pain with ibuprofen. Read the label to make sure that taking it is okay for you since there’s a bleeding risk, and make sure you don’t exceed the package dosing information unless a doctor or dentist tells you it’s alright.
Remember, any home treatment for wisdom tooth pain is, at best, a temporary measure.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth Removal
After wisdom teeth removal, expect swelling and some bleeding. You must be careful not to hurt your mouth while you’re healing, so you will have to avoid solid foods for a short time. You will also need to avoid coffee, cola, alcohol and hot beverages for a few days. You will probably be told not to brush your teeth for the first day
Most people recover from wisdom teeth removal in 3 or 4 days, although some people require a week or so. You will need to be off work for the first couple of days and perhaps longer. How long recovery takes depends on what was wrong with them. Severely impacted wisdom teeth require a longer healing time after removal.
While you can resume many normal activities the day after wisdom teeth removal, you need to be careful not to dislodge beneficial blood clots in your mouth, so avoiding lifting and exertion is best.
Don’t worry about specific details right now. You can discuss the procedure with your dentist for answers to specific questions. Just remember that for most people, the recovery is quick – and the pain from the removal surgery may be less than you’re experiencing in the first place.
While infection after removal is possible, it’s unlikely if you practice good oral care as recommended by your dentist during recovery.
Is It Time For Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Some of the signs of wisdom tooth problems include:
- jaw pain or tenderness
- swelling or redness of the gums around wisdom teeth
- bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- and more.
Failing to treat wisdom teeth problems can lead to fluid-filled cysts around the tooth, increased risk of dental problems from bacteria and even tumors – all things that can permanently damage the mouth and jaw.
The first step in getting rid of wisdom tooth pain is seeing a dentist. If you’re in the San Diego, California area, see Dr. Paige Woods. Our dental office can schedule an appointment during which you can find out if your discomfort or pain is wisdom tooth pain or something else – and how it can be treated.
For most people with pain from third molars, wisdom teeth removal is the best course of action. But no two people – or mouths – are alike. Let us determine how to treat this and other dental problems you may have so you can have a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.
You deserve to look and feel great. You deserve good dental health. And you don’t deserve wisdom tooth pain.
For a free consultation about your wisdom teeth removal options, call (619) 359-6970