How to Stop Wisdom Tooth Pain

When a wisdom tooth begins to erupt or becomes trapped beneath the gums, the discomfort can range from mild tenderness to persistent wisdom tooth pain with soreness or a throbbing sensation in the back of your mouth. If you’re wondering how to stop wisdom tooth pain, there are steps you can take to temporarily ease discomfort at home.

However, pain can also be a sign that a wisdom tooth is impacted, infected, or affecting a nearby tooth. In those cases, lasting relief may require treatment from a dentist. Understanding what’s causing the pain can help you determine whether you need short-term wisdom tooth pain relief or whether it is time to discuss a wisdom tooth extraction.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Hurt?

Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the teeth located farthest back in your mouth. Problems can develop when there is not enough room for them to grow into their proper position. A wisdom tooth may become impacted, meaning it is partially or completely trapped beneath the gums or jawbone. It can also grow at an angle, press against a neighboring tooth, or create an area where food and bacteria become difficult to remove.

Common causes of wisdom tooth pain can include:

• A wisdom tooth breaking through the gums
• Swollen or irritated gum tissue around the tooth
• Food or plaque becoming trapped around a partially erupted tooth
• An impacted wisdom tooth
• Tooth decay
• Infection
• Pressure or damage affecting a nearby tooth

Because several dental problems can cause pain in the back of your mouth, a dentist may need to examine the area and take X-rays to identify the exact cause.

How to Stop Wisdom Tooth Pain at Home

The following home care tips may provide temporary wisdom tooth pain relief, especially while you are waiting for a dental appointment.

Rinse With Warm Salt Water

A warm saltwater rinse can help keep the area clean and may soothe irritated gum tissue around a wisdom tooth. This can be done by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, rinsing the mouth, and spitting the solution out rather than swallowing it. This may be particularly helpful when food or plaque is collecting around a partially erupted wisdom tooth.

Keep the Area Clean

Continue brushing your teeth carefully, including the area around the wisdom tooth when possible. Keeping the area free of food debris and plaque can be especially important when part of the tooth is covered by gum tissue. Use a soft toothbrush and avoid aggressively brushing swollen or painful gums.

Choose Softer Foods

Chewing hard or crunchy foods near a painful wisdom tooth can make an already irritated area feel worse. Until you can comfortably chew again, choose softer foods and try chewing on the opposite side of your mouth. You may also want to avoid foods and drinks that are extremely hot, cold, or sugary if they aggravate the area.

Use Over-the-Counter Pain Medication When Appropriate

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may provide temporary wisdom tooth pain relief when they are safe for you to take. Current ADA guidance recommends nonopioid medications as first-line treatment for acute dental pain. Follow the medication label and any instructions from your healthcare provider. If you have medical conditions, take other medications, are pregnant, or are unsure which option is safe for you, ask your dentist, doctor, or pharmacist first.

Although helpful, these steps do not correct an impacted tooth, tooth decay, or an infection. These issues require evaluation and treatment from a dentist to address the underlying cause of the pain.

When Should You See a Dentist for Wisdom Tooth Pain?

Occasional mild tenderness as a wisdom tooth comes in may not always mean there is a serious problem. Persistent, worsening, or severe wisdom tooth pain, however, should be evaluated by a dentist.

Schedule a dental visit if you experience:

• Pain that does not improve or keeps returning
• Swelling around the gums or jaw
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Difficulty opening your mouth comfortably
• A bad taste or persistent bad breath
• Tender, red, or swollen gums around the wisdom tooth
• Signs that the wisdom tooth is pushing against another tooth
• Fever or other signs of infection

Severe swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling that spreads into the face or neck can indicate a more serious infection and requires urgent medical or dental attention. Go to the ER or call 911 immediately if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.

When Is a Wisdom Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Home remedies may help with how to stop wisdom tooth pain temporarily, but they cannot fix problems such as an impacted tooth, infection, crowding, or a wisdom tooth growing at an angle. A dentist may recommend a wisdom tooth extraction when pain keeps returning, the tooth is damaging nearby teeth, or there is a risk of infection or other complications. Not every wisdom tooth needs to be removed, so your dentist will consider the tooth’s position, your symptoms, surrounding teeth and bone, and your overall oral health before recommending treatment.

What Happens During a Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

If a wisdom tooth extraction is recommended, the first step is usually an exam and dental imaging to evaluate the tooth and surrounding area. Before the procedure, local anesthesia is used to numb the area. Depending on your needs and level of dental anxiety, sedation options may also be available. The dentist then removes the tooth, which may require a small incision in the gum if the wisdom tooth is impacted. The exact procedure can vary depending on the position and development of the tooth.

Some soreness and swelling are normal after a wisdom tooth extraction. During the first few days, your dentist may recommend that you:

• Eat soft foods.
• Take pain medication as directed.
• Keep your mouth clean while being gentle around the extraction site.
• Avoid disturbing the blood clot that forms over the area.
• Follow all rinsing and oral hygiene instructions.
• Limit strenuous activity as recommended.

Pain should gradually improve as the area heals. Contact your dentist if pain becomes significantly worse, swelling increases, or you develop fever, heavy bleeding, or other concerning symptoms.

Can Wisdom Tooth Pain Go Away Without an Extraction?

Sometimes wisdom tooth pain can go away without an extraction. Pain may improve if the discomfort is caused by temporary inflammation as the tooth pushes through the gums. However, pain that goes away can return if the wisdom tooth is impacted, difficult to clean, or causing another dental problem. If the pain repeatedly comes and goes, a dental evaluation can determine the underlying cause and whether a wisdom tooth extraction is necessary for longer-lasting relief.

Get Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief in Dunwoody, GA

Knowing how to stop wisdom tooth pain at home can make you more comfortable temporarily, but ongoing pain deserves professional attention. At Mount Vernon Dental Group, Dr. Amar Mistry and the team provide evaluations and wisdom tooth extractions for patients experiencing pain, infection, and problematic wisdom teeth in Dunwoody, GA, and surrounding areas. If you are dealing with persistent wisdom tooth pain, schedule a consultation today to determine the cause and find the right treatment for lasting wisdom tooth pain relief.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Tooth Pain