Teeth play an important part in our daily activities. Apart from serving their primary function of chewing and aiding in the digestive process; they also outline the facial structure and assist in speech. An adult human has 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom tooth which are categorised into 4 types based on the function they perform:
- Incisors – used for cutting
- Canines – used for tearing
- Premolars – used for gnawing
- Molars – used for crushing
There is, however, another set of teeth that emerges last, during the age of 17 -25 and are known as ‘wisdom teeth’.
What is Wisdom Tooth?
Wisdom teeth are also a set of molars that erupt behind the second molars, hence they are also known as third molar teeth. Wisdom teeth may also emerge even during the later years, in the age 40 – 50 and hence known as ‘wisdom teeth’ as they tend to appear during the ‘wisdom years’ of human life.
In general, a person may have all 4 wisdom teeth erupt, two in each jaw. However, more often than not, one of the wisdom teeth may not erupt at all. Sometimes, no tooth may emerge.
What causes wisdom teeth pain?
Wisdom teeth may erupt normally in the course of time and may not cause any problems at all. However, the issues arise when the wisdom teeth do not erupt or if they do, there is some abnormality with it. This can happen due to multiple reasons: lack of space in the oral cavity, overlying bone structure with the wisdom tooth or inverted wisdom tooth. This can lead to a number of problems associated with wisdom teeth, some of which may affect other healthy teeth or may even cause facial pain entirely.
What are the problems associated with wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth that do not emerge properly may cause gaps between the teeth and let food particles to deposit in them, causing infection and cavities in the long run. Such gaps also allow bacterial propagation, further increasing the chances of infection leading to swelling in gums, jaw stiffness, difficulty in opening of the mouth and bad breath.
Symptoms of wisdom tooth pain
Wisdom tooth that emerges partially or is misaligned may cause symptoms such as:
- Pain in the area surrounding the wisdom teeth
- Infection in the bone or gums surrounding the tooth
- Cysts and tumors which develop due to impacted teeth
- Caries which may occur to partially erupted third molar teeth or adjacent teeth
- Periodontal problems like pockets, gum inflammation and infection
Home remedies for wisdom teeth pain
If you are having any of the above symptoms related to wisdom teeth, the ideal solution would be removal of the affected wisdom tooth. However, below are some of the home remedies which can ease the pain:
- Saltwater rinse – Bacterial accumulation in gums during wisdom teeth eruption can cause gum swelling. In order to kill the bacteria and keep gums healthy, rinsing with warm water with dissolved salt can be of great help. Do saltwater rinse 2 or 3 times a day.
- Ice pack – Applying ice pack to the jaw/cheek can reduce swelling as it has a numbing effect on the pain. Apply for 10-15 minutes near the affected area at similar intervals until the pain subsides.
- Clove – Clove has natural properties for curing toothache and can be used in home remedy for wisdom teeth pain. Use a whole clove by pressing it against the affected wisdom tooth and holding it with a closed jaw until the pain reduces. You can also apply a few drops of clove oil on a cotton wool and massaging the affected area gently until relief.
- Aloe Vera – Similar to cloves, aloe vera possesses rich anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which can soothe wisdom teeth pain. Apply aloe vera gel in the affected gums. The cooling effect helps ease the pain.
- Tea tree oil – tea tree oil is being used in mouth washes as it has anti-bacterial properties. This can help kill the bacteria in the wisdom teeth area. Please note that tea tree oil should not be applied directly to the teeth. Instead, mix it with coconut oil and apply on the inflamed gums for pain relief. Make sure to rinse and spit out after this remedy.
The above may work as a temporary relief. In case the pain subsists, the underlying root cause needs to be checked for which medical treatment has to be sought.
Medical treatments for wisdom tooth pain
Wisdom teeth pain can also be treated with several medical treatments. Below are some of the over-the-counter medications:
- Numbing Gel – These gel have an active ingredient called benzocaine which acts as a numbing agent that helps reduce pain. One has to apply the gel in the affected area for it to work. One has to be careful in case of any allergic reactions to benzocaine and consult a doctor if such symptoms arise.
- Ibuprofen – Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter medication for pain relief and can be used as per the recommended dose prescribed. It can also help to reduce inflammation of the gums.
- Aspirin – works as a pain reliever and may help in wisdom teeth pain reduction. One needs to take the recommended dose as per the label or consult a doctor before taking this medication.
Wisdom teeth extractions or removal
If the above remedies do not help, the impacted wisdom tooth has to be removed for a permanent relief. This involves a dental surgery whereby a dentist / dental surgeon would remove the affected tooth.
First, a local anesthesia is injected in the affected area to numb the pain of surgery. Then pressure is applied to the tooth to loosen it from the gum. Sometimes, the tooth may need to be cut into bits using surgical instruments for ease of extraction. The whole procedure may take a few minutes to less than an hour. After extraction, the doctor may prescribe medications to ease the pain which may last up to two weeks.
Preventing wisdom teeth pain
Toothache can be excruciating and wrecks havoc in our day to day functioning. Wisdom teeth pain is similar and requires immediate attention to avoid spreading of infection to the healthy teeth. Even with healthy oral habits, one may end up with wisdom teeth pain due to other factors. However, one can try to prevent the likelihood of pain from gum infection when the wisdom teeth is emerging, by following some of the below:
- Maintain good oral hygiene – general oral hygiene activities like brushing twice daily, flossing and using mouthwash helps reduce bacteria accumulation in the mouth which can cause or exacerbate infection.
- Cut down on sugar intake – Sweet and sugary food items are unhealthy for teeth. These can cause cavities and tooth decay over time.
- Regular dental checkup – See your dentist regularly for proper check-ups and to avoid painful episodes with wisdom teeth coming through.
Conclusion
Wisdom tooth pain may be a minor inconvenience but can quickly develop into a terrible ailment. Oftentimes home remedies such as saltwater rinse, ice packs, clove oil or even over-the-counter medications offer temporary relief. However, if the pain is persistent and becomes severe, medical intervention should be sought. Professional dental treatments include various options that offer lasting solutions to wisdom tooth pain by fixing the underlying issue, including wisdom tooth extraction.
If you’re suffering from wisdom tooth pain and have tried home remedies or medications, but to no avail, it is crucial to consult a dental professional promptly to avoid further complications like infections, cavities or misalignment. Being mindful of oral hygiene and taking proactive steps with regular dental checkups can help prevent future issues.
For professional care and relief from wisdom tooth pain, contact us at Ur’s Toothfully Full Mouth Rehabilitation and Implant Centre. Our dental specialists are available to guide you through the best treatment options tailored to your needs. Don’t let tooth pain disrupt your life – schedule an appointment today!
FAQs:
How do you soothe wisdom teeth pain?
Wisdom teeth pain can be quite excruciating and affects our daily lives. For quick relief, you can follow home remedies like saltwater rinsing, use an ice pack in the swollen area or go for OTC medications like Ibuprofen or apply numbing gel. However, if the pain persists, it is better to consult a medical practitioner or a dentist.
How to tell if a wisdom tooth is infected?
If you are experiencing jaw pain or facial pain emanating from or surrounding the wisdom teeth area, it may be that the wisdom teeth are infected. It may also be accompanied with swollen gums, impacting speech or difficulty in chewing food. Check for other symptoms like cavities, bad breath or stiff jaw which result from infected wisdom teeth.
What age do wisdom teeth stop growing?
Wisdom teeth generally erupt at the start of adulthood, during the age 17 to 25 years. However, it has also been known to appear as late as in the 40s or 50s. In some cases, one or all wisdom teeth may not emerge at all.
How to know if it’s wisdom tooth pain?
If you see an additional set of teeth emerging behind your molars, those are your wisdom teeth emerging. Oftentimes, they do not erupt completely or misalign with other teeth or the bone structure. All these cause wisdom tooth pain. Sometimes, it also leads to the gums swelling or bleeding which can be painful.
How long does wisdom teeth pain last?
Wisdom teeth pain intensity and duration depends upon the underlying causes. In some cases, the pain may subside within a few hours to a day, with simple home remedies if it is only swelling / bleeding of gums due to wisdom teeth eruption. In cases of cavities, cysts or infection, medical intervention would be required for complete pain relief.
Is a painful wisdom tooth an emergency?
Wisdom teeth pain is like any other toothache and can be treated with home remedies. However, it is better to seek medical help if the pain is persistent or if it is likely to develop further complications like cavities, cysts, tumours or infect other healthy teeth. In such scenarios, it should be treated as an emergency.
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