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These molars usually appear in the late teens or early twenties of an individual’s life, that is, between the ages of 17 and 25.
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to grow in an individual.
There are usually four wisdom teeth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw, but some people have more, fewer, or even none. Sometimes a wisdom tooth is displaced at an angle and is pushed against the gum or the tooth next to it.
This is called impact, and it can be painful and make the area difficult to keep clean.
The eruption of these teeth causes pain in many people. Let’s take a look at the causes to understand why this happens.
What Causes Wisdom Tooth Pain?
The following are the reasons for wisdom tooth pain:
- Crooked wisdom tooth.
- Wisdom teeth do not fit properly in the mouth.
- An infection around the teeth.
It’s also important to be on the lookout for warning signs of wisdom tooth pain so that you can address the problem right away.
Wisdom teeth problems
When there is not enough room in the jaw for the wisdom teeth, they can be prevented from coming out properly. Brushing these teeth can be difficult.
Food and bacteria can get trapped between the wisdom tooth and the tooth next to it, leading to cavities and gum infections .
Wisdom teeth crowded in the upper jaw often tilt sideways and rub against the cheek. This can cause cheek ulcers and chewing problems.
Symptoms of wisdom tooth infection
Signs of gum infection caused by a wisdom tooth include:
- Inflamed red gum near the wisdom tooth.
- Swelling.
- Pain.
- Pus that comes from the gum.
- Swollen and sore lymph nodes under the jaw.
- Difficulty opening your mouth and swallowing.
- Fever.
- Bad breath.
Some people may show no signs when getting their wisdom teeth. However, if you’re not so lucky, don’t worry. You can ease your pain by using the home remedies listed below.
Treatment for wisdom tooth infection
Wisdom tooth infections can be treated:
- Improving oral hygiene in the area.
- Having a dentist clean the area.
- Sometimes by prescription of antibiotics.
However, the infection can keep coming back if problem teeth are not removed. People who have other health problems, especially people with lower immunity, can get complications from these infections.
Wisdom teeth removal
X-rays will help determine if wisdom teeth can cause problems. Some wisdom teeth do not cause problems and do not need to be removed. Sometimes the dentist or oral surgeon only needs to cut a small part of the gum to help the wisdom tooth come out.
If wisdom teeth need to be removed, a local anesthetic will usually be used, so you won’t feel it. Sometimes if the wisdom teeth are deeply impacted (blocked from entering), or for other medical reasons, a general anesthetic will be offered to the patient.
Because wisdom teeth are large, the hole where the tooth was may be sewn in to help it heal. It is normal for your jaw and gums to be sore, swollen, and bleeding for a few days after a wisdom tooth has been removed.
A possible complication of the extraction of wisdom teeth is a dry cavity (alveolar osteitis), when the area where the tooth comes from does not heal properly. Bad breath and severe socket pain are signs. An oral health professional can successfully treat a dry feed.
Problematic wisdom teeth are best removed early
Wisdom teeth don’t usually cause any pain until they start to hurt, so it’s best to find out if your wisdom teeth are likely to cause problems sooner rather than later.
Wisdom teeth roots are still forming in a teenager, so it is easier to remove them at this age. It can be more complicated if a person waits until later in life, when the roots are fully formed.
Healing Tips After Tooth Extraction
- Take your medications as prescribed.
- Place a gauze pad over the surgical area from time to time to prevent swelling.
- Limit eating, drinking, and even talking for the first few hours after the extraction.
- Do not touch the wound area too often after an extraction, as it could cause bleeding.
- When the bleeding stops, drink plenty of warm or cold fluids to stay hydrated.
- Eat soft foods to avoid straining the surgical area.
- Put ice packs on the surgical area to relieve pain.
- Avoid brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth too stiffly for a couple of days after surgery.
- Avoid vigorous exercise right after surgery.
- Avoid alcohol.
These tips can help your recovery after wisdom tooth extraction. But if you really want to keep that last pair of teeth, apply to the wisdom tooth pain home remedies discussed here.
They will definitely help heal the affected tooth or at least delay its extraction to some extent.
Effective Home Remedies to Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain
- The oil pulling with coconut oil.
- Peanut butter.
- Clove.
- Saltwater.
- Essential oils.
- She.
- Apple cider vinegar.
- Hot or cold compress.
- Listerine.
- Lemon juice and salt.
1. Oil pulling with coconut oil
Will need
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
What you have to do
- Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and shake it in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water.
- You should do it once a day, preferably every morning, before brushing your teeth.
Why does this work?
The oil is a great way to help reduce inflammation and swelling of the gums. Coconut oil has antimicrobial and analgesic properties, which protect the teeth and mouth from oral infections and reduce wisdom tooth pain.
2. Peanut Butter
Will need
- Peanut butter.
What you have to do
- Take some peanut butter on your index finger and apply it directly to the affected tooth.
How often should you do this
You need to do this several times a day because the saliva in your mouth will keep cleaning the peanut butter.
Why does this work?
Peanut butter is made up of roasted peanuts. Peanuts have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties due to the presence of a compound called resveratrol. This is why peanut butter can be used to treat wisdom teeth pain and its symptoms.
3. Cloves
Will need
- Clove or clove oil.
What you have to do
- Take a nail and place it on your wisdom tooth.
- You must bite it so that it does not move away from the tooth.
Alternatively, you can also apply clove oil to the affected tooth and surrounding gums for pain relief.
How often should you do this
You should do this 4 to 5 times a day.
Why does this work?
Clove is a popular spice used to enhance the flavor of various dishes. And it has also been used to treat toothache and accompanying inflammation and swelling due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anesthetic properties.
Therefore, cloves are one of the best options for relieving wisdom teeth pain.
4. Salt water
Will need
- 1-2 teaspoons of table salt.
- 1 glass of warm water.
What you have to do
- Dissolve a teaspoon or two of table salt in a glass of warm water.
- Rinse your mouth with the saline solution for a few minutes.
How often should you do this
Do this twice a day for effective results.
Why does this work?
Salt contains sodium that has been widely used for pain relief. It also has antibacterial properties, making it a great option for treating wisdom teeth pain.
5. Essential oils
Peppermint essential oil
Will need
- 1 teaspoon of peppermint essential oil.
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.
What you have to do
- Mix equal amounts of peppermint essential oil and coconut oil.
- Apply this mixture with your finger on the affected tooth and the surrounding gums.
- Massage gently for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
How often should you do this
Do this 1 to 2 times a day.
Why does this work?
Peppermint oil contains a compound called menthol that has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and relieve wisdom teeth pain.
Tea tree essential oil
Will need
- 1-2 drops of tea tree oil.
What you have to do
- Take a drop or two of tea tree oil and apply it directly on the wisdom tooth.
- Gently massage the tooth and gums for 2 to 3 minutes and then rinse your mouth with warm water.
How often should you do this
You should follow this procedure 1 to 2 times a day.
Why does this work?
Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and has antimicrobial properties that can protect your wisdom teeth from infection. It also has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, making it the perfect remedy for reducing wisdom tooth pain.
6. Garlic
Will need
- 1 or 2 garlic cloves, peeled.
What you have to do
- Chop the garlic cloves.
- Apply the paste to the sore wisdom tooth.
- You can also place a garlic clove directly on the affected tooth and bite into it.
How often should you do this
Do this 2 to 3 times a day until you get relief from the pain.
Why does this work?
Garlic contains a compound called allicin that exhibits anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that make it one of the effective home remedies for wisdom tooth pain.
7. Apple cider vinegar
Will need
- 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- 1 glass of water.
What you have to do
- Add a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and mix well.
- Use this solution to rinse your mouth.
How often should you do this
You can do this 1 to 2 times a day.
Why does this work?
Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties that can protect your teeth and mouth from oral infections. And its anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful in eliminating wisdom tooth pain.
8. Hot or cold compress
Will need
- A hot water bottle or an ice pack.
What you have to do
- Take a hot water bottle or ice pack and place it on the side of the cheek where the wisdom tooth enters.
- Keep the compress for 10 to 15 minutes.
How often should you do this
Repeat this 3 to 4 times a day.
Why does this work?
Hot and cold compresses help relieve pain and swelling. This makes both of them great home remedies for wisdom tooth pain.
9. Listerine
Will need
- Listerine.
What you have to do
- Take some Listerine in a small glass and rinse your mouth for 1 to 2 minutes.
How often should you do this
Do this 2 to 3 times a day, preferably after every meal.
Why does this work?
Listerine contains ingredients like menthol, thymol, and eukalyptol, all of which have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
10. Lemon juice and salt
Will need
- 1/2 lemon.
- A pinch of salt.
- Water.
What you have to do
- Take half a lemon and extract its juice.
- Add a few drops of water to lemon juice to dilute it.
- Add a little salt to the diluted lemon juice and apply it on the affected tooth and surrounding gums.
How often should you do this
Do this every time you experience wisdom tooth pain.
Why does this work?
Lemon has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a natural pain reliever. And as we already know, salt is used to maintain oral health due to its antimicrobial and analgesic properties.
A combination of these two ingredients helps to relieve wisdom tooth pain quite effectively.
Caution
Do not use undiluted lemon juice as it can be too abrasive on your tooth enamel.
These remedies are sure to help you deal with pain and discomfort. However, if nothing seems to be working, you may have to go ahead and have your wisdom tooth removed surgically.
And you may want to keep the following tips in mind to avoid pain and swelling that can arise after the procedure.
