Wisdom teeth try to push through your gums in your late teens or early twenties. Although they may not cause discomfort at first, you may experience wisdom tooth pain as they grow due to the pressure they place on other teeth and gums.
You can use home remedies to ease the discomfort of your wisdom tooth; however, the only way to fully eliminate wisdom tooth pain is by extraction. When you meet with one of our dentists, you can find out how to relieve wisdom tooth pain and discuss your options for wisdom tooth extraction.
What Causes Wisdom Tooth Pain?
Wisdom teeth are a vestigial body part and are no longer necessary for chewing. This has resulted in the human jaw decreasing in size, leaving less space for the wisdom teeth to emerge.
The lack of room may cause the wisdom teeth to come through the gums at an angle, not erupt and grow abnormally below the gumline, or only partially emerge from the gums. This can cause discomfort from the wisdom teeth pushing on the other teeth. It can also lead to tooth decay and gum inflammation.
Bacteria and food particles may become stuck between the wisdom teeth and the other teeth, resulting in several issues, including:
- Gum disease
- Infections, such as pericoronitis
- Cysts
- Wisdom tooth abscesses
How to Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain: Preventing Wisdom Tooth Pain
If your wisdom teeth erupt, you can do a few things to reduce the chances of gum infection and other dental issues. These are some steps you can take:
Maintain good oral hygiene
Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush is important for healthy gums. Flossing removes food particles and prevents the growth of damaging bacteria. Mouthwash can also wash away food particles and prevent gum disease.
Drink water
After eating, drinking plenty of water can help remove food particles and bacteria from your teeth.
Avoid sticky and sugary food
Sticky food and sweets increase your exposure to sugar. Prolonged tooth exposure to sugar promotes bacterial growth and increases the risk of dental caries. Instead, you can eat high-fibre fruits and vegetables and drink green tea to help clean your teeth and promote a healthy oral microbiome.
Visit your dentist
Check in with your dentist regularly to assess the emergence of your wisdom teeth. Regular dental check-ups include a dentist cleaning your teeth and examination of your teeth and gums. Early detection of issues related to your wisdom teeth can prevent them from becoming more serious.
How to Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain: Home Remedies
You can try some of these at-home remedies to manage and alleviate some of the discomfort from your wisdom teeth.
Cold and hot therapy
You can alternate between cold or hot therapy to manage the wisdom tooth pain. Ice packs on the cheeks can help relieve pain and swelling around impacted wisdom teeth.
Applying a warm compress eases jaw tension and increases blood flow to promote healing. Apply them for 10-15 minutes at a time throughout the day.
Saltwater rinse
Rinse your mouth with a warm saline solution to remove food particles that cause an infection around the wisdom teeth. Use this rinse a few times a day after eating and brushing your teeth.
Using a saline rinse can promote healthy gums and prevent bacteria from growing. In addition, a saltwater rinse has the same anti-inflammatory effects as a 0.12% chlorhexidine solution.
Soft food diet
Wisdom tooth pain can worsen because of the bite force during chewing.
A diet of soft foods can reduce the bite force intensity and protect your wisdom teeth. To find relief for wisdom tooth pain, include soft fruits, soups, smoothies, and yoghurt in your diet.
Although these steps can help with temporarily easing discomfort, if you experience persistent wisdom tooth pain, your dentist may prescribe wisdom teeth extraction.
How to Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain: Wisdom Tooth Removal
At Toothsome, we perform simple and complex wisdom tooth extractions. You need a simple extraction for a fully erupted wisdom tooth that is not obstructed by any major blood vessels or nerves. Your dentist uses a local anaesthetic to numb the affected areas around your wisdom teeth during the procedure. Then they use an elevator tool to loosen the teeth in the socket and forceps to gently remove them.
For more complex wisdom teeth extractions, your dentist makes a small incision in the gum to expose the impacted wisdom teeth. They may section the wisdom teeth into small pieces to remove them.
After extraction, you may experience some discomfort, swelling, and inflammation around your wisdom teeth removal site. After your wisdom teeth removal, your dentist may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and give you instructions to use an ice pack to relieve some discomfort. On average, the discomfort from the surgery should subside within 10 days.
Find Relief for Your Wisdom Tooth Pain at Toothsome
If you experience wisdom tooth pain, home remedies can provide some short-term relief. Schedule a consultation with Dr Willis or Dr Patty Chou at Toothsome Implants Chatswood for an evaluation and discuss how to relieve wisdom tooth pain. The best solution is removal if your wisdom teeth are impacted or causing you discomfort.
Call us today on (02) 9158 6637 to book your appointment.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
