Wisdom Teeth Guide

Symptoms, causes and treatments of wisdom teeth pain

A toothache is one of the worst pains you can ever feel and wisdom tooth pain is not an exception to this. The level of pain felt with toothaches might be as a result of the many nerves present in it and its closeness to the brain.

The Wisdom teeth and pain

A lot of people at a time will be faced with problems that arise as a result of the wisdom teeth, and these problems a lot of times lead to the removal or extraction of the wisdom teeth. This makes it important to have knowledge about wisdom teeth, the pain and when you need to remove them.

Your dentist will help you in making the decision as to when to remove the wisdom teeth after examining your present situation. Some people have persistent wisdom teeth pain while some people will only feel pain when they are chewing or they touch the teeth.

For more information about wisdom teeth and also to see the cost of wisdom teeth extractions, Visit this article, Wisdom Teeth Pain.

Symptoms of wisdom teeth

Different signs come with the growing out of wisdom teeth, like the wisdom teeth jaw pain and the wisdom teeth swelling. The common and persistent symptom is pain and infection. You can also feel pain along your jawbone and the ear if you are growing wisdom teeth.

This sometimes excruciating pain level and irritation makes the removal and extraction of wisdom teeth necessary. The impaction of wisdom teeth is very easy as a result of insufficient space in your mouth or jaw that should have enabled them to sprout like normal teeth. Which makes them come out at wrong angles, causing them to be misaligned in the jaw. If not attended to and treated, the misaligned wisdom teeth can cause damages to your second molars and molars, and they may also crowd the other teeth.

In some cases, you might have impacted wisdom teeth and feel no pain. But if it starts to grow out, you will be at risk of having swelling and pain in the overlying gum. This pain will be felt in the nearby teeth or around the area that is affected, and the pain can stop after a couple of days, weeks or months, only to make a reappearance at a later time. You must sort ways to combat the pain early because if left unattended to, the wisdom teeth pain can escalate.

A wisdom tooth that grows out partially might overtime trap food, tartar and other particles inside it and this may result in the swelling the gum.

Other oral problems that can arise as a result of wisdom tooth impaction include pericoronitis, which is an infection that is characterized by the trapping of food and other particles in the gum and in the impacted tooth, as well as the decaying (a tooth cavity) of the tooth.

The position and misalignment of wisdom teeth make it hard for them to get washed. This usually results in tooth decay, necessitating their extraction or removal.

Other symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth are:



  • Halitosis (bad breath)


  • Bad oral taste


  • Swollen jaw


  • Jaw pain


  • Red gums


  • Tender/bleeding gums


  • Problems with the opening of the mouth etc...

Treatment of wisdom teeth

If you experience any of the mentioned symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, you need to get yourself checked by the dentist. Your dentist will examine and decide if you will need to get surgery or not. The dentist will check the affected areas and conduct an x-ray to ascertain the position of the wisdom teeth and the condition they are in. In highly problematic situations, your dentist will most likely suggest the extraction of the teeth.

Relief for wisdom teeth pain

The pain is excruciating and possibly unbearable for you and you might need to relieve the pain before the date of surgery even if you have decided to get a surgery done. Some things which can help you relieve the pain include:



  • Application of ice chips to the teeth.


  • Using warm salt water to rinse your mouth


  • Using pain killers such as ibuprofen to relieve the pain temporarily.

If however, none of this method worked for you, your dentist will be able to provide something that will be useful for you.

The pain associated with wisdom teeth can be very excruciating. This is why getting early treatment is important for you. You should be aware of the symptoms of the wisdom teeth growth and inform your dentist as early as possible so that you can be medically examined and treated.

For more oral health tips please visit my main oral health website Toothbrushlife.com

Kelly Hancock, RDH
 
Wisdom tooth pain can be an excruciating experience, often stemming from the complex issues these late-erupting molars can cause. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for wisdom tooth pain is crucial for timely intervention and relief.


Understanding Wisdom Tooth Pain​

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. Due to insufficient space in the jaw, they often become impacted, meaning they don't have enough room to emerge properly.1 This can lead to them growing at incorrect angles, becoming misaligned, and causing a host of problems.2 While some individuals with impacted wisdom teeth may experience no pain, the onset of growth can trigger swelling and discomfort.3







Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Pain​

The most common and persistent symptoms of an erupting or impacted wisdom tooth are pain and infection. This discomfort can extend along the jawbone and even into the ear.4




Other notable symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include:

  • Swollen jaw
  • Jaw pain
  • Red gums around the affected area5

  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Unpleasant taste in the mouth
  • Difficulty opening the mouth
  • Pain in nearby teeth or around the affected area, which might subside for days, weeks, or months before recurring.6
If left untreated, a partially erupted wisdom tooth can trap food, tartar, and other particles, leading to gum swelling and oral problems like pericoronitis (an infection of the gum tissue surrounding the impacted tooth) and tooth decay.7 The misalignment of wisdom teeth also makes them difficult to clean, often resulting in cavities and necessitating their removal.8






Causes of Wisdom Tooth Pain​

The primary cause of wisdom tooth pain is impaction, which occurs when there isn't enough space in the mouth for the teeth to erupt normally. This causes them to emerge at wrong angles, leading to misalignment.9 This misalignment can then put pressure on adjacent teeth (second molars), potentially causing damage or crowding.10






Treatment and Pain Relief for Wisdom Teeth​

If you experience any symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, it's essential to consult a dentist. The dentist will conduct an examination, likely including an X-ray, to determine the position and condition of the wisdom teeth.11 In problematic situations, extraction or surgical removal of the wisdom teeth is the most common and often necessary treatment.12





While waiting for surgery or a dental appointment, several methods can help temporarily relieve the pain:

  • Apply ice chips to the affected area.13

  • Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen.14
If these methods prove ineffective, your dentist can provide more targeted relief. Early awareness of symptoms and prompt consultation with a dentist are crucial for effective management and treatment of wisdom tooth pain.15
 
Back
Top