How to Deal with Wisdom Teeth Pain
Wisdom teeth discomfort can start gradually or suddenly, but it’s important to address these toothaches promptly. If your wisdom teeth are bothering you, you should schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon.
Wisdom Teeth Pain Symptoms: What Do They Mean?
Wisdom teeth pain often results from one or more reasons. Depending on the cause of your pain, an oral surgeon can help you determine the next best steps.
- Crowding: One or more wisdom teeth are coming in crooked, usually because there isn’t enough room in your mouth for an additional tooth
- Impaction: One or more wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they have started to emerge from the jawbone but are now stuck part-way
- Infection: One or more wisdom teeth are infected
What Types of Pain do Wisdom Teeth Cause?
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of symptoms including pain in your jaw and face, headaches, ear pain, swelling of the gums, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Jaw Pain
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause swelling in the jaw that can make it sensitive to the touch. If you see noticeable swelling in the jaw region (patients often see this when they look in the mirror), this may be a sign you need your wisdom teeth extracted.
Ear Pain
Because of their proximity to the ear, pain from wisdom teeth coming in, infections, or impacted wisdom teeth can radiate to your ears. Eruption and inflammation can cause pressure to build up which you may feel as ear pain from wisdom teeth.
Swelling of Gums
Wisdom teeth may cause swollen gums due to a condition called pericoronitis. Pericoronitis is a condition often instigated by gum tissue growing over a wisdom tooth that has become impacted and cannot fully erupt.
Home Remedies to Relieve Pain in Wisdom Teeth
Toothaches can be a pain, literally. If you need relief before you can see an oral surgeon, there are a few home remedies to try.
- Over-the-counter Pain Relievers: Take an over-the-counter analgesic to alleviate discomfort. Ibuprofen can be a good choice as it will also reduce swelling and inflammation around the tooth for additional relief.
- Cold Compresses: Apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek to numb the affected area and further reduce swelling. Be sure to wrap the ice pack in a cloth to protect your skin and follow the 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off pattern.
- Saltwater Rinse: Rinse your mouth with a mixture of two teaspoons of salt in eight ounces of water to clean the area around the affected tooth and reduce bacteria.
How Long Does Wisdom Teeth Pain Last?
Pain from wisdom teeth growing in, impaction, or infection can vary in duration. If your pain is related to wisdom teeth coming in, it may last until the tooth fully erupts or is removed. Infections must be addressed promptly to avoid worsening of the infection.
When to See an Oral Surgeon for Wisdom Teeth Pain Relief
If your pain persists or worsens, or if you experience swelling, difficulty swallowing, or signs of infection, contact an oral surgeon immediately. In many cases, wisdom teeth extraction may be the best long-term solution.
Wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure that will eliminate the risk of gum disease from impaction. Wisdom tooth extraction is a common and safe procedure, and depending on the severity of your gum disease, you may need all of your wisdom teeth extracted. Having all 4 wisdom teeth removed at the same time is advantageous and minimizes the need for multiple surgeries and anesthesia sessions, which can actually reduce overall recovery time and stress for our patients.
Although all patients are unique, wisdom tooth recovery time is generally about a week.
We are here to answer any and all questions and guide you through the process. We’ll continue to be available after your procedure, responding to any follow-up questions and ensuring your comfort and wellness through recovery and beyond.
Contact one of our 4 North Jersey oral surgery offices.
We look forward to connecting with you.
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