Wisdom Teeth Pain

Have you ever felt a sudden, dull pain at the back of your jaw? Or a pressure pushing against your back molars? If so, your pain is mostly related to your wisdom tooth.

Wisdom teeth pain is one of the most common dental issues, and dealing with it isn’t always simple with at-home solutions; in most cases, a dentist consultation is required as soon as possible.

A third molar (wisdom tooth) is the last tooth to erupt in your mouth; humans have 4 wisdom teeth, one in the back of each quadrant, on the right and left sides of the upper and lower jaws.

Wisdom teeth are the last to erupt, from the age of 17 to 24 years old; that’s why there are some issues related to their late eruption and emergence in the back of the mouth, and usually these dental issues are associated with dental pain.

What does Wisdom Teeth Pain Feel Like?

Wisdom teeth pain varies; it can often feel similar to the teething experienced by infants. The process of the wisdom tooth crown breaking through the gingiva into the oral cavity is associated with slightly swollen, tender, and persistently sore gum until the tooth finally emerges in the oral cavity.

Wisdom teeth pain can also be a dull, throbbing, sharp, intermittent pain that comes and goes. This type of pain often indicates issues like infection, impaction, or even a tooth cavity in the adjacent tooth. 

In other cases, the pain is not easily localised by patients, as it can radiate throughout the face, jaw, ear, or head, and it can cause jaw pain while chewing or even mouth movements. So, a professional clinical diagnosis is important to detect the exact source of pain.  

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Hurt?

Wisdom teeth most commonly have insufficient space in the jaw because of their late eruption. As a result, they can easily become impacted, leading to significant pain. There are many reasons why wisdom teeth hurt, for example: 

1. Teeth Impaction: When there isn’t enough space in the dental arch for it, they become trapped beneath the gum or bone. This abnormal position puts pressure on and pushes against neighbouring teeth, causing dull pain and discomfort, and can develop gum inflammation, gingival pockets beside the third molar and the adjacent ones.
2. Pericoronitis: This literally means inflammation around the tooth crown; this occurs when the third molar becomes partially impacted, leaving a small flap of gum (operculum) over the not erupted part of the crown. This pocket easily traps bacteria, causing localised Inflammation, soreness, and bleeding on brushing or eating due to plaque accumulation around the crown of the wisdom tooth.  
3. Tooth Decay (caries): Due to their far posterior position in the mouth, wisdom teeth are difficult to clean properly with daily brushing and flossing. This significantly increases their vulnerability to decay or even spread to damage the second molar (the neighbouring teeth). 
4. Odontogenic Cysts: In some cases, a fluid sac develops around the impacted molar. If left untreated, the cyst will expand, eroding the surrounding bone and initiating jawbone resorption in this region, damaging the tooth’s root, and potentially reaching the nerves.

Common Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Problems

While some impacted molars remain asymptomatic initially, there are common wisdom tooth pain symptoms that indicate developing issues with your wisdom tooth: 

• Red, swollen, and bleeding gum over the impacted molar (pericoronitis).
• Bad breath (halitosis) and unpleasant sour taste due to trapped food debris and bacteria, which cannot easily be reached and cleaned.
• Markable swelling in the jawline or externally on the face near the affected area, in case of infection.
• Radiating pain extends to cause an earache and temporal headache.
• Pain and difficulty with every mouth movement.
• Jaw stiffness (trismus): the pain and gum inflammation cause painful limited jaw opening.
• In case of infection, wisdom tooth pain can be accompanied by difficulty in swallowing.

How Long Does Wisdom Teeth Pain Last?

The duration of third molar discomfort depends primarily on the underlying cause:

• Normal eruption into the mouth: As third molars break through the gums (typically between ages 17 and 25), mild soreness usually resolves within a few days per eruption cycle.
• After surgical extraction: After wisdom tooth removal, discomfort typically peaks within 48 to 72 hours and steadily resolves over 5 to 7 days.
• Untreated wisdom teeth impaction: Pain caused by impaction or deep decay is ongoing until the tooth receives professional treatment.

If your pain persists for more than 5 to 7 days, or is accompanied by fever or difficulty swallowing, consult a dentist immediately to rule out a severe infection like a dry socket complication.

Tips for At-home wisdom teeth pain relief 

The important question here is how to stop wisdom tooth pain. Fortunately, you can manage and relieve pain at home using the following methods:

1. Saltwater rinse: Mix a small teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water and rinse for 60 seconds to remove bacteria and bring down inflammation.
2. Ice pack: Wrap the ice pack in a clean cloth and apply it against your cheek from the outside for 15 minutes to numb these areas and reduce the swelling. 
3. Natural remedies: Apply clove oil directly in a small amount following your dentist’s instructions to avoid any possible gum inflammation on the affected spot. Because it contains eugenol, it has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation.
4. Over-the-counter-medicine: You can also use OTC medications like:  
   • Topical gel containing benzocaine to directly numb the affected area
   • Ibuprofen for fast dulling of acute pain 
   • Acetaminophen

When should I see a dentist for wisdom teeth pain Relief?

If you have a constant, persistent pain that doesn’t go away with the home remedies. You should definitely schedule a dental appointment;  if you experience any of the following indications:

1. Limited jaw opening (Trismus) and mild stiffness occur due to inflammation of the neighbouring jaw muscles, leading to eating and speaking difficulties. 
2. Damage to Adjacent Teeth: Pressure from an impacted molar causing decay or root resorption on the neighboring second molar. 
3. Localized periodontitis: Deep gum pockets or localized bone loss around the third molar that prevents proper hygiene. 
4. Recurrent Pericoronitis: Repeated infections of the gum flap (operculum) that do not resolve with conservative cleaning. 
5. Chronic Impaction: Lack of sufficient dental arch space, causing the tooth to remain trapped beneath gum or bone tissue.

Professional Treatment of Wisdom Tooth Pain 

Treatment of wisdom tooth pain is eliminating the cause. When wisdom tooth pain can’t be managed at home, this is a significant indicator for more professional procedures at dental clinics. Professional treatments range from:   

• Professional dental cleaning, which removes the trapped food debris and bacteria from the affected area. 
• Adjacent tooth treatment: Restoring any neighbouring teeth that have been damaged or decayed by the wisdom tooth with traditional filling or root canal treatment. 
• Operculum removal (operculectomy), a minor gum surgery similar to gingivectomy, aims to cut out the small flap of the affected gum, making it less prone to infections. 
• Wisdom teeth removal, in case of a poorly diagnosed third molar that can’t be restored by a dental filling.
• Surgical teeth extraction; in case of a partially or fully impacted wisdom tooth that needs significant tooth or bone removal to help the trapped third molar be out of the jaw.

Wisdom Tooth Removal Recovery Instructions that you should follow:

You should stick closely to your surgeon’s instructions to accelerate tissue healing after the extraction, minimize the pain and discomfort, and prevent complications:

1. Dietary control: Stick to soft, cool foods (yogurt, smoothies, warm soups) for the first few days. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sharp foods that can lodge in the extraction site. See the soft foods you can eat after tooth extraction.
2. Avoid smoking in the first few days after extraction, as it significantly increases the risk of getting a dry socket.
3. Avoid blowing or sucking; don’t use a straw or blow too hard for at least 72 hours after the extraction, as these actions can dislodge the blood clot from its place,  exposing underlying nerve tissue or causing infection in the tooth socket.  
4. Oral hygiene maintenance: You should keep brushing and cleaning your mouth gently without any vigorous rinsing or touching the surgical socket directly during the first 24 hours.
5. Take the prescribed medications (analgesics, antibiotics, or both) precisely on the schedule to manage pain and prevent secondary infection. 

Take the first step towards pain relief!
Persistent jaw discomfort should never be ignored. If you are experiencing wisdom tooth pain, take advantage of the free online consultation at Suave Dental Clinic to know what you need initially. Whether it’s an X-ray for a more accurate diagnosis or booking an actual dental appointment for more professional treatments. 

FAQs

Wisdom Teeth Pain

Does wisdom teeth pain go away on its own?

The pain may subside temporarily on its own, but unless the exact cause is treated, the pain will come back more severe in the future. 

Why does wisdom teeth pain come and go?

Wisdom teeth pain comes and goes due to wisdom teeth moving gradually in short eruption bursts. So, when the tooth is actively pushing, you will feel pain. On the other hand, when it pauses, the pain fades out. 
The other reason is that food traps can cause bacterial infections. This bacterial growth causes acute pain. With time, the immune system calms the inflammation or properly gets rid of the bacteria and food debris; the pain goes away until the next flare-up.

How do I know if my wisdom tooth is impacted?

You can’t know by yourself at home. Only a dentist can diagnose impacted wisdom teeth by clinical diagnosis with the aid of OPG X-rays or CBCT 3D scans to know their definite place beneath the gum and bone.

Is wisdom tooth removal painful?

Not usually; you won’t feel pain during the procedure itself, as surgeons use a profound local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia to completely numb the area. Also manage postoperative discomfort with specific medications to ensure a complete pain-free experience.

How long does pain last after wisdom tooth removal?

Normal post-extraction pain and soreness peak within 48 to 72 hours and resolve in 5 to 7 days, whereas Dry Socket (Alveolar Osteitis) extends pain into weeks 1 and 2. 

How to prevent wisdom teeth pain?

You can prevent wisdom teeth pain by regular dental check-ups and X-rays to monitor any possible problems related to the third molar.