Are you scared of your wisdom tooth dental pain? Here’s a solution. Read to learn how to manage your wisdom tooth pain and ways to tackle wisdom tooth problems.
What is a Wisdom Tooth?
Wisdom teeth, or “third molars,” are the last adult teeth to emerge at the back of your mouth.
Sometimes, wisdom teeth grow without causing any discomfort. But these molars often get trapped in your gums or jawbone and are called impacted wisdom teeth. Such situations can lead to many oral problems, including infections, gum diseases, and cavities. In such cases, many healthcare providers recommend wisdom tooth extractions.
It’s important to note that not everyone develops wisdom teeth. Some people experience wisdom teeth growth, while others do not. Both scenarios are considered variations of what is thought normal.
Location
Wisdom teeth are behind the second molars at the back of your mouth. If a person develops all four wisdom teeth, they’ll have one wisdom tooth in each quadrant of the mouth at the upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right.
Symptoms
When wisdom teeth erupt, they can cause mild discomfort and pain. It becomes hard to brush and even floss your teeth, leading to food accumulation between your teeth and ultimately causing bacterial infections.
If wisdom teeth emerge incorrectly or lack sufficient space to develop, it can cause serious issues such as:
- Jaw pain, swelling, or stiffness
- Swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
- Difficulty in opening mouth or chewing
- Persistent bad breath
Causes
Wisdom teeth usually start making their way out of gums at the age between 7-21. They push through the gums and grow at the back of your mouth. The force of teeth pushing out of the gums can cause severe sensations and pain.
Moreover, adult teeth are already developed, and there’s no room for wisdom teeth to grow. The lack of space behind the mouth causes wisdom teeth to grow at the wrong angle or get trapped in the gums. This situation is called impacted wisdom teeth, making your gums vulnerable.
The teeth don’t emerge appropriately as the skin surface breaks, causing food particles to gather in your gums. The trapped food particles lead to bacterial growth in your mouth, causing several tooth infections:
- Gum disease
- Infections
- Abscesses
- Cysts
Home Remedies
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, swollen gums, and tenderness. Removing them is the best-recommended option. Meanwhile, you can manage the wisdom tooth pain in several ways at home.
Ice Packs
Placing an ice pack on your jaws can be beneficial in two ways. First, it can reduce gum swelling, which often eases pain. Second, it can numb the area, helping with discomfort.
Wrap the ice pack in a clean cloth or a tea towel and place it against your jaw for about 15 minutes. You can repeat the process, taking 15-minute breaks in between, until the pain gets better.
Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater has natural germ-killing properties, so rinsing your mouth with salt water helps reduce bacterial growth.
The pain around the wisdom teeth starts because of bacterial growth in your mouth from trapped food particles. The broken gums develop infections; rinsing your mouth with salt water can help treat the infections and ease your pain.
Mix a few spoons of salt into a glass of warm boiled water. Swirl it around in your mouth for a few minutes when the water cools down, then spit it out. You can rinse this saltwater twice or thrice daily until your pain disappears.
Cloves
Cloves help reduce wisdom tooth pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. A person can use cloves or clove oil to ease the pain.
Using cloves to reduce inflammation, one should:
- Place the clove over the wisdom tooth where it hurts
- Close your jaw, but don’t crush the clove
- Leave it there until the pain disappears, and spit it out
When using clove oil to ease discomfort, one should:
- Dab clove oil on a cotton ball
- Place the cotton ball over the wisdom tooth
- Hold the cotton ball where it hurts and remove it when the pain fades
Both clove oil and cloves are practical solutions to remove wisdom tooth pain.
Teabags
Teabags contain tannins, which hold both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Tannins can kill bacteria in your mouth and reduce gum inflammation, which can prove helpful in wisdom tooth pain management.
To use a teabag, one should soak it in a cup of tea without sugar, milk, or cream and place it in the refrigerator. Once the tea is cold, place the teabag over your wisdom tooth until the pain reduces.
Medical Treatment
Several medical treatments are available to treat wisdom tooth problems and relieve distress.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a medical practice that involves inserting fine needles into the body to reduce pain and discomfort. Recent studies indicate acupuncture might relieve dental pain, including discomfort from impacted wisdom teeth.
Numbing Gel
Dental gel with a numbing effect can help ease gum discomfort and reduce pain. These gels contain benzocaine as the active ingredient that reduces pain.
Apply the gel directly to the sore gums as needed throughout the day. Follow the product instructions carefully. Remember that some individuals may be allergic to benzocaine, so be careful if you suspect any adverse reactions.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a pain-relieving medicine suitable for reducing inflammation in your body.
Taking the right amount of ibuprofen, as directed on the package, can help ease your discomfort. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, including aspirin, can help reduce pain until you can see a dentist for proper treatment.
Conclusion
Hope now you’re aware of all about wisdom tooth pain management. Take care of your oral health and consult professional dentists regarding wisdom teeth extractions. Contact us to learn more about the cost of tooth extractions abroad.
