Wisdom tooth pain can be an uncomfortable experience, often affecting daily activities like eating and speaking. These third molars that usually appear between ages 17 and 25 can cause significant discomfort due to various reasons, including infection or lack of space in the jaw. Knowing the signs of impacted wisdom teeth can prevent complications and keep the mouth healthy.
Immediate Home Remedies
Removing the wisdom teeth is the best solution to relieve the pain. However, these home remedies will help reduce wisdom tooth pain.
1. Saltwater rinses
Saltwater has natural disinfectant properties, reducing bacteria that cause tooth decay. Dissolve a few tablespoons of salt into boiled water to make a saltwater rinse. Let it cool, rinse it for a few minutes and spit it out.
2. Applying cold compresses
Ice packs can be used for cold compression. Applying ice packs to the jaw can alleviate inflammation and reduce pain. They also have a numbing effect. So, people should hold an ice pack with a tea towel around their jaw for up to 15 minutes. Then, they should take a 15-minute break. Repeat this process until the pain goes away.
Over-the-counter Medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications help to reduce wisdom tooth pain. Also, some medications have anti-inflammatory properties. These are -
Numbing gel: The numbing dental gels contain benzocaine, which soothes the pain and reduces gums.
Ibuprofen: Ibuprofen (Advil) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can reduce wisdom tooth pain. Additionally, it can reduce inflammation of the gums related to wisdom teeth formation.
Acetaminophen: It's a non-anti-inflammatory drug that can reduce pain and fever. However, it can't relieve pain associated with swelling.
Benzocaine: It's a suitable topical numbing medication. However, it has several side effects.
Professional Dental Treatments
It's recommended to see a doctor whenever a person experiences symptoms of wisdom tooth pain. These include -
Jaw pain
Swollen or red gums
Difficulty opening mouth
Unpleasant taste in the mouth
Bleeding gums
Swelling around the jaw
If wisdom teeth cause issues like trapped food, decay or infections, dental surgery may be recommended. A local anaesthetic numbs the area before the surgeon cuts the gum to expose the tooth and bone. If required, the bone is removed, and the tooth is broken into smaller pieces for easier extraction. Finally, the area is cleaned, and the wound is closed with stitches.
Prevention and Management
When an individual's wisdom tooth comes out, they should practice healthy oral hygiene to prevent gum infection. Here are tips for avoiding gum infection.
Brushing the teeth twice a day to maintain oral hygiene.
Using proper mouthwash and flossing reduces bacteria buildup that causes infections.
Reducing sugar intake can prevent wisdom teeth from cavities.
Drinking plenty of water flushes away the bacteria and foods from the gums and teeth.
Using toothpaste and mouthwash containing fluoride can prevent cavities.
Also, people should follow some diet tips to prevent wisdom toothache. These are -
Soft and liquid foods such as oatmeal, soups and broths (not too hot), pudding, smoothies, milkshakes, avocado, mashed banana, smashed vegetables, scrambled eggs, and yoghurt are recommended in a regular diet.
Spicy foods, hot or fizzy drinks, acidic fruit juices, alcohol, and hard or sharp foods such as seeds, chips, and popcorn should be avoided.
Long-term Pain Management
Routine doctor visits help ensure proper oral health, allowing dentists to recommend necessary cleanings or checkups. The dentist will suggest cleanings or visits more often depending on oral health status. If the gums need extra care, the dentist may refer a person to a Periodontist (gum specialist).
Additionally, they should follow these practices for dental health -
Eating a healthy diet with limited sugary foods and drinks.
Replacing toothbrush every 3-4 months.
Tobacco should be avoided.
Brushing the tongue regularly
Myths and Misconceptions About Wisdom Tooth Pain
However, there are some common myths about wisdom tooth pain. Thus, individuals must understand the facts behind these -
1. Myth: Medications can completely cure all wisdom teeth issues.
Fact: Some patients believe wisdom tooth pain goes after taking medications. As the pain relievers and other medicines suggested by the dentist temporarily subside the pain for a few days, people seem to think the pain has gone completely. As a result, they nodded for further treatment, which worsened the situation.
2. Myth: Facial deformity takes place after wisdom tooth removal surgery.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence or any reported cases that a facial deformity occurs after wisdom tooth removal surgery.
Alternative Therapies
Herbal reatments can provide fruitful results in relaxing wisdom tooth pain. These include -
1. Cloves
Clove may work as a topical pain reliever due to its numbing effect. Placing a whole clove on the affected tooth and holding it with the jaw can provide pain relief. Alternatively, a few drops of clove oil are placed on a cotton ball and in the painful area, which can help ease discomfort.
2. Peppermint
People can make peppermint tea and drink it to lessen wisdom tooth pain. Alternatively, they can place a steeped tea bag over the sore tooth or gums. Additionally, they can add menthol to the peppermint tea as a cooling agent.
3. Garlic
Allicin in garlic may reduce oral pain. Specifically, garlic becomes helpful if wisdom tooth pain occurs due to an ulcer development near the erupting tooth. People can use garlic toothpaste, gum and mouth rinses to reduce this issue.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, which is anti-inflammatory. Thus, it helps to reduce pain. Roasted ground turmeric can help to remove dental pain and swelling.
Potential Complications
Again, wisdom tooth pain causes other potential complications. These include -
Damage of other teeth: Pressure from a wisdom tooth on the second molar can cause damage or increase the chance of infection in that area.
Decay: Partially affected wisdom tooth causes cavities. Also, it makes bacteria and foods get trapped easily within the gum and a partially ejected tooth.
Gum disease: As cleaning the partially affected wisdom tooth is difficult, it can lead to painful, inflammatory gum disease. It's known as pericoronitis.
Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs may form within the jawbone, potentially damaging nearby teeth, jawbone, and nerves.
Conclusion
Wisdom tooth pain can be treated with home remedies. However, these can provide short-term relief. Thus, it's recommended to visit a dentist and get their advice. They may suggest OTC medications that become helpful. If the pain is severe, the dentist will recommend a surgical removal of the tooth. Thus, people should take care of their oral health and maintain proper hygiene. These will help to avoid the risk of getting pain in the wisdom tooth.
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