Wisdom tooth pain is no laughing matter. And when it happens to you, you don’t want to call on your wisdom to figure out how to feel better. You simply want the discomfort to go away. We get it. You’re not alone. An estimated 90% of people have had at least one impacted wisdom tooth, and it’s most likely that they experienced discomfort, too.

In this article, we’ll explain what causes wisdom tooth pain and what you can do to make that pain go away.

Causes of Wisdom Tooth Pain

If wisdom teeth are so common—at least 53% of the general population has them—then why do they hurt? It so happens that there are several causes. And because those wisdom teeth are situated so far in the back of your mouth, these sources of pain and discomfort can often creep up out of nowhere.

Here are some of the most common causes of wisdom tooth discomfort.

• Impacted wisdom teeth: When there’s not enough room in your mouth, wisdom teeth can get stuck during eruption and push against other teeth, causing pain.
• Infection or decay: Wisdom teeth are hard to clean and can easily get cavities or infections, which lead to pain and swelling.
• Cysts or tumors: Fluid-filled sacs or growths can form around wisdom teeth, damaging the jawbone and causing pain.
• Gum disease around the wisdom teeth: Bacteria can build up around wisdom teeth, causing gum disease that leads to sore, swollen gums and pain.

Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Pain

While soreness in the area of those far back molars is the most obvious sign of wisdom tooth pain, there are other symptoms as well. Understanding what to be on the lookout for can help set you on the fast track to tooth pain relief.

Here are the most common signs that you’ve got trouble with your wisdom teeth.

• Swelling and redness around the gums: The gums around the wisdom teeth can become swollen and red if there’s an issue, making it noticeable when you brush or eat.
• Difficulty opening the mouth: If it’s hard to open your mouth wide, or if it hurts when you do, this could be a sign of problems with your wisdom teeth.
• Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste: Ongoing bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth, even after brushing, can be caused by an infection around the wisdom teeth.
• Pain in the jaw or adjacent teeth: Pain that spreads to the jaw or other teeth can indicate that your wisdom teeth are causing pressure or damage.

Home Remedies for Temporary Tooth Pain Relief

No one wants to suffer from a toothache, and seeking tooth pain relief will be at the top of your mind if this happens to you. Thankfully, there are some simple remedies that you can try at home to get you back to normal. However, if these home remedies don’t work and provide some relief within a day or two, it might be an indicator that you need to pay a visit to your Granite City dental office.

Here’s what to try:

• Saltwater rinses: Mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds to reduce swelling and cleanse the area.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Common pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce pain and inflammation. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding dosage. This can be found on the packaging or the manufacturer’s website.
• Cold compresses: Apply a cold pack or a bag of ice wrapped in a towel on the outside of your cheek where you are feeling the pain. This will help reduce swelling and numb the area.
• Clove oil: Apply a tiny amount of clove oil on a cotton ball or swab and apply it to the affected area to numb the pain and reduce discomfort.

When it’s time to see your dentist.

On occasion, those home remedies for tooth pain just aren’t going to cut it. And, there are some situations where a visit to the dentist needs to happen urgently. Here’s when you need to stop trying to manage the pain at home and contact your dental office as soon as possible.

• Persistent pain despite home remedies: If your toothache doesn’t improve after a couple of days of home treatment, it’s time to consult your dentist.
• Signs of infection (fever, swelling, pus): Symptoms like fever of 100° or higher, excessive swelling, or the presence of pus around the tooth are urgent signs of infection.
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing: If a toothache comes with trouble swallowing or breathing, seek immediate dental or medical attention.

Sometimes, the only solution to relieve pain and prevent further problems is professional treatment, which may include the extraction of the wisdom tooth.

Professional Treatment Options

When you come visit us at Metro East Dental Care in Granite City to discuss those pesky wisdom teeth, we’ll take a look at your mouth and propose the best treatment option to prevent oral health risks and help you feel better.

Here is what we may do during your visit.

• Dental evaluation and X-rays: We start with a thorough evaluation and X-rays to assess the severity of your wisdom tooth issue. This helps us understand the exact position of your teeth and the best approach for treatment.
• Possible antibiotic treatment: If an infection is present, we may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the infection and swelling before further treatment.
• Wisdom tooth extraction: Depending on the evaluation, we might recommend removing the problematic wisdom tooth. This procedure will help alleviate pain and prevent future oral health issues.
• Post-extraction care and recovery tips: After the extraction, we’ll provide detailed care instructions and tips to help with an easy and speedy recovery. This includes advice on managing discomfort, what to eat, and how to keep the area clean.

Don’t Suffer from Wisdom Tooth Pain: Metro East Dental Care Can Help

As we said earlier, wisdom tooth pain is no joke. It hurts. You want to feel better. So don’t let that pain persist any longer than it needs to. Request an appointment with Metro East Dental Care in Granite City today. If you are experiencing any of those indicators we shared earlier about when to see your dentist, call us immediately.

We look forward to helping you alleviate that wisdom tooth pain.