What Helps With Wisdom Tooth Pain?

Not everyone has wisdom teeth, and some people have three or fewer. However, when they are present, they often require removal. They tend to grow in at the wrong angle or not break through the gums at all. When your new molars don’t fit naturally or grow incorrectly, they can cause significant throbbing pain and swelling.

Wisdom tooth pain should never be ignored, especially if it’s accompanied by swelling, bad breath, or difficulty opening your jaw. These are often signs of an infection that requires professional treatment. While you wait for your appointment, you can try some safe, effective over-the-counter relief techniques.

Why Are Mine Throbbing?

Yours could be throbbing for several reasons, but they usually come down to a problem that requires treatment.

These back molars cause throbbing pain when they’re impacted, meaning they don’t have the space to erupt properly. If your jaw is too small to accommodate them, they may grow in sideways, which causes them to push into your second molars and throws off tooth alignment.

Sometimes, people develop pericoronitis around their wisdom teeth, causing swelling and throbbing pain. It’s especially common in lower teeth and is caused by bacteria catching between the gum flap of a partially erupted tooth and the tooth itself.

Your aching tooth could also be caused by a cavity. Even when these teeth erupt normally and don’t cause overcrowding issues, they’re still prone to decay because they’re difficult to clean effectively.

How Can I Make Them Stop Hurting?

If yours hurt, schedule an appointment with your dentist or oral surgeon. In most cases, the problem causing the pain can’t be resolved without extraction, antibiotics or other treatments.

• While you wait for your appointment, you can reduce or relieve the pain at home with over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, using the recommended doses in the instructions.
• Rinsing your mouth out with saltwater two to three times per day is also effective at reducing swelling. The salt draws excess fluids from the tissue and kills some of the bacteria that cause infections. You can also apply a cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes every few hours to alleviate discomfort.
• Some people prefer clove oil soaks to alleviate pain. This tried-and-true method involves mixing two to three drops of clove oil into a teaspoon of coconut or olive oil. Soak a cotton ball in and place it over the afflicted tooth. Clove oil contains eugenol, a potent anesthetic and antiseptic, so it’s effective at relieving toothaches.
• You can also try applying a cool, wet teabag to the sore tooth for 10 to 15 minutes. Black tea contains tannins, natural astringents that reduce inflammation.

How Can I Keep Them from Hurting?

If yours have erupted properly, dental hygiene is key to keeping them healthy and pain-free. Follow basic oral hygiene practices, with extra attention to your wisdom teeth, as part of your daily routine. That means brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing daily. Drink water after eating, which washes food particles away from your teeth to help keep them clean. Try to avoid sugary and acidic foods, which can damage your enamel and increase the risk of developing a cavity.

If you have an impacted tooth or recurrent infections, you likely need an extraction to prevent ongoing discomfort.

Does Everyone Need Theirs Removed?

No, not everyone needs an extraction. Some people have theirs grow in correctly without overcrowding. These individuals can usually keep them without issue.

However, you may to remove them if:

• They can’t break through the gumline.
• They’re growing sideways or pushing against neighboring teeth.
• They’re decaying or causing surrounding teeth to decay.
• Your jaw doesn’t have enough space to accommodate a third set of molars without overcrowding.
• You experience frequent infections or pain.

How Does an Oral Surgeon Extract Them?

Your extraction begins with a thorough exam and X-rays. This informs us of the condition of your teeth and how we should approach the extraction. When you schedule with Dr. John Patterson, you get a personalized treatment plan, complete with options for sedation and anesthesia if you’d prefer to sleep through the procedure.

The extraction usually only takes 10 to 20 minutes per tooth. In some cases, we may need to make small incisions to gain access to teeth that have not yet erupted. If necessary, we use self-absorbing stitches so you don’t have to come back for a removal appointment.

Once we’re done, we ensure you’re comfortable with detailed post-surgery instructions and a medication plan.

Expert Tooth Extractions in Chandler, AZ

If you have any concerns about your teeth, you’re welcome to schedule a consultation to discuss whether extraction is recommended or required. Our office is dedicated to your comfort. Contact Dr. John Patterson for expert, compassionate care.