TL;DR
- Wisdom teeth pain may be a cause of concern due to the abnormal eruption of the last or third molars.
- Causes for wisdom teeth pain include impaction, infection and inflammation, tooth decay, cysts, poor oral hygiene, overcrowding, and misalignment
- You may experience:
- Throbbing pain around the third molars involved, puffy gum tissues
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen cheeks and difficulty opening the mouth
- Pus discharge
- Referred pain to the ears and head
- Swelling of the jaw lymph nodes
- Certain home remedies can be helpful until you get proper dental care for wisdom teeth pain. These include:
- Cooling methods using ice bags and cucumber slices
- Saltwater and diluted hydrogen peroxide rinses
- Topical remedies like clove oil, garlic, aloe vera gel, and cucumber
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Daily comfort habits like soft foods, good hydration, and head elevation
Wisdom Teeth Pain Relief: How to Manage at Home?
Wisdom teeth pain relief may be a pressing concern when your third molars emerge improperly, causing sharp pain, swelling around the jaw, and even headaches. Such problems may be caused by issues like impaction or partial eruption of the teeth, which leave food lodged in the crevice and bacterial accumulation, causing infection. In such cases, dental extractions may be necessary to resolve the issue and alleviate discomfort.
However, while waiting for a dental consultation, several home remedies can provide relief. Ice packs, for instance, can reduce swelling and ease pain, while clove oil has a numbing effect that can provide temporary relief. These simple yet effective methods can help you manage the pain until your dentist recommends the appropriate course of action.
Now, let’s explore the common causes and symptoms of wisdom tooth pain, as well as the most effective ways to manage it at home.
What Causes Wisdom Teeth Pain?
Wisdom teeth pain arises because they struggle to fit into the jaw, leading to a range of issues:
- Impaction: Teeth are caught between gums or behind neighboring molars due to a lack of room, leading to pressure, aching, or swelling.
- Pericoronitis: Infection may occur if bacteria are caught in the partially erupted tooth. Pockets are formed where bacteria and food accumulate, resulting in swollen gums with pus around them.
- Eruption pressure: Eruption through tight gum margins causes pain, stiffness, and referred pain around the ears or head.
- Overcrowding and misalignment: When teeth encroach on the roots of neighboring teeth, creating chewing difficulties, pain, or decay.
- Cysts or decay: Sometimes, fluid cysts cause damage to the jawbone or nerves, and trapped particles can create cavities in adjacent teeth.
Wisdom Teeth Pain Symptoms
Wisdom teeth pain often manifests through a range of symptoms that indicate issues with the eruption of the third molars:
- Acute pain in the back of the mouth, often radiating to the ears, temple, or neck
- Red, puffy tissue where the tooth is erupting, with sensitivity to touch, heat, cold, or brushing
- Bleeding gums, particularly during meals or while brushing.
- Difficulty opening the mouth completely (trismus), chewing, or yawning.
- Referred pain suggestive of migraines or signs of an infection.
- Halitosis (bad breath) or metallic taste in the mouth.
- Swelling of the cheeks or jaw area, often worsening if an infection is present.
- Pus drainage from an abscess around the tooth.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the jaw area.
Wisdom Teeth Pain Relief Tips
Here are some wisdom teeth pain relief tips from Osseo Family Dental to help you minimize discomfort from erupting or impacted third molars until professional treatment begins:
Cooling Methods For Rapid Numbness
- Cold compresses: Apply an ice cube or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin cloth to your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes each hour. This helps to numb nerve endings and reduce swelling.
- Cold tea bags: Refrigerate black, peppermint, or chamomile tea bags, then apply them to gum pain for a total of 10-15 minutes; polyphenols in the tea constrict blood vessels, reducing inflammation.
- Frozen cucumber slices: Thinly sliced cucumbers, refrigerate until chilled, then apply them directly to sore areas to calm them with cooling hydration and antioxidants.
Cleansing Rinses to Combat Infections
- Saltwater rinses: Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water, swishing it around in the affected area for 30 to 60 seconds, 3 to 4 times a day, then spitting it out to flush out debris and kill bacteria.
- Cooling: The peppermint tea rinse is very cooling; simply steep a cup of strong peppermint tea, then cool it to lukewarm, then rinse. The solution works as an oral rinse to remove bacteria.
- Diluted hydrogen peroxide solution: Mix equal amounts of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with water, gargle for a brief moment, then spit out. Follow with rinses of just water to remove bacteria.
Topical Remedies for Natural Numbing
- Clove oil: Mix a few drops of clove oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, soak a cotton ball in it, and apply it to the gum tissue for 5-10 minutes to reduce pain. The active compound eugenol will work as an analgesic as well as an antimicrobial agent.
- Garlic: Crush a garlic clove with a pinch of salt to form a paste, then apply it to the skin for a short while before rinsing. This is very effective due to the presence of the antimicrobial agent allicin.
- Aloe vera gel: Apply the pure gel from an aloe vera leaf over the puffy gums to enjoy the soothing after-effect of this natural remedy.
- Turmeric: A turmeric paste is made by mixing turmeric powder with water or mustard oil to form a thick paste, which is applied and washed off after 10 minutes. Curcumin’s role is to reduce inflammation.
Over-the-Counter Pain Control
- Ibuprofen: Take ibuprofen (if appropriate for you) to alleviate pain and swelling, or acetaminophen for pain relief. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label and avoid exceeding the recommended daily dosage.
- Benzocaine gel: A thin layer of benzocaine gel helps treat painful gums by numbing the tissues. Use only as directed.
Daily Comfort Habits
- Switch to soft foods: You can eat yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, soups, or scrambled eggs. But try to chew on the opposite side to keep from further irritating the sore areas.
- Sleep with your head elevated: This can be achieved by using extra pillows to prop up your head, preventing blood flow to the jaw, which cuts overnight pressure and throbbing
- Practice gentle oral care: Brush softly using a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss carefully around the site to avoid further trauma and remove particles
- Stay well hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help saliva flow, which supports the healing process. Do not use straws, as that will create suction.
When to Seek Urgent Care?
While temporary wisdom teeth pain relief measures help manage discomfort, the following red flags demand urgent dental care:
- Throbbing pain persists for 48 hours or more, even with the use of OTC medication such as Ibuprofen.
- When rapid puffiness develops in the area involving the cheeks, eyelids, neck, or the area under the chin.
- A body temperature above 100℉ (38℃) and swollen lymph nodes.
- Problems swallowing or breathing.
- Yellow/white drainage or foul odor from gums.
- Failure to open the mouth completely.
Conclusion
Finding effective wisdom teeth pain relief could make quite a bit of difference until you can get to the dentist. Simple steps, like rinsing with warm salt water, cold compresses, and even over-the-counter pain relievers, can ease any discomfort and prevent irritation until you are able to see your dentist.
If the pain persists or swelling worsens, the solution may be dental extractions to alleviate the problem and restore comfort. At Osseo Family Dental, our caring professionals make sure every procedure is gentle, precise, and focuses on your long-term dental well-being.
Contact our friendly dentist in Osseo, MN, today at (763) 425-2626 to schedule an appointment, or visit us at 30 Central Ave, Osseo, MN 55369. You can also email us at info@osseofamilydental.com.
FAQs
Brush around the painful regions of the wisdom teeth gently, but do not touch the painful area directly, as this might dislodge the debris and irritate the swollen gums further. Brush the regions gently in other places, along with saltwater rinses, to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Pericoronitis is the inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding a partially erupted wisdom tooth, especially the bottom one. Food and bacteria get trapped in pockets around the gum tissue, leading to infection, inflammation, and the formation of pus.
Using too many home remedies simultaneously may cause gum sensitization, allergies, and ingredient interactions, such as excessive use of clove oil, which may irritate gums. Instead, opt for one or two effective remedies.
Home remedies such as salt water and cold compresses for relieving pain due to wisdom teeth are safe if used correctly. These provide temporary relief for symptoms but not for the problem itself, such as an infection. Oils should be diluted and tested for allergies.
Yes, stress can further aggravate pain from wisdom teeth due to clenching of the jaw, leading to grinding that further increases areas of sensitivity. Muscle contraction stimulates the throbbing pain at night.
