How to Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain

Wisdom teeth can be a real pain, especially when they’re acting up. Here’s how to get some relief.

Wisdom teeth are so-named because they’re the last set of teeth you get, erupting through the gums and at the back of the mouth in your late teens or early 20s. At least it’s hoped you might be a little bit wiser at that stage of your life, but even so, these newfound molars are often not so smart and misalignment and other issues may make it necessary to have them removed.

Before your wisdom teeth even fully come in and are developed, you may experience problems, and they’re usually associated with various levels of tenderness or pain. Many people don’t experience all that much when they’re getting their wisdom teeth, and may only have slight feelings of discomfort when chewing in that area or touching the back of the jaw. But others can have a lot of pain, and it can be unrelenting as the teeth poke through the gums and settle. If you suspect you’re getting wisdom teeth and that’s the cause of the pain in your mouth, it’s important to see your dentist straight away.

Wisdom tooth pain can be due to a number of factors, including the way they grow into the mouth, as sometimes they don’t come up in perfect alignment with the rest of the teeth and the gums but are crooked and don’t fit properly. It can also be the case that as wisdom teeth break through the gum, an infection develops in the area and causes pain. It can all happen suddenly, leaving you wondering what’s going on, or pain can develop gradually and you might think it’s something else.

Professional Help for Wisdom Tooth Pain

If after all that, nothing worked and you still have wisdom tooth pain, you’ll need to see your dentist. They will carefully examine the area as well as possibly take an X-ray to see your wisdom teeth properly. If they’re coming in at an angle and not aligning with your other teeth and gums, your dentist might recommend an extraction.

If everything looks fine, however, your dentist may just prescribe some painkillers to help you deal with the pain, as well as a special mouthwash that will kill bacteria and prevent infections from taking hold as your wisdom teeth are developing. Whatever the case, as with any pain in your mouth, it should be taken seriously. Taking care of your oral health means looking after your overall health, and no pain should be left untreated if it continues over time — especially with wisdom tooth pain.

If you’re having wisdom tooth pain and are not sure what to do about it, contact The James Clinic today and our friendly dentists will be happy to advise. You can be sure of high levels of care and attention at all times, including during an initial examination. Get in touch now.