Wisdom Teeth Pain Symptoms
One of the most common complications of wisdom teeth is pain. The discomfort may be due to pressure or swelling in the back of the jaws, caused by impaction or partial impaction. The discomfort is often due to a lack of space for the wisdom teeth to erupt correctly inside the mouth.
Painful wisdom teeth typically come and go, with symptoms worse some days and better on others. Unfortunately, discomfort typically wont resolve on its own, which is why wisdom tooth removal is frequently recommended.
Some of the most noticeable side effects and symptoms of wisdom tooth eruption include:
- Crowded teeth or teeth shifting throughout the mouth
- Swelling in the gums or jaws
- A bad taste coming from those areas of your mouth
- Partial eruption through the gums
- Food packing down around erupting teeth
- Cysts that are visible on your X-rays
Why Do I Get Pain In Other Teeth After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
After wisdom teeth extraction, the empty sockets can sometimes cause pain in nearby teeth. This is because the roots of these teeth are very close to each other. The good news is that this pain is usually temporary and will go away on its own within a few days.
Contact your dentist if youre still experiencing pain after a few days. They may be able to prescribe medication to help with the discomfort.
How Can You Heal From Wisdom Tooth Pain
Your dentist will probably tell you to avoid smoking to let the area heal properly and also to keep you from ending up with a dry socket. You should also avoid any alcoholic beverages for a few days.
You will want to be sure to gently clean the area after surgery so you dont disturb the blood clots that are forming. You need them to help close off the hole and allow the gum to heal.
Letting the blood clots form properly does several things:
You can help protect them by not brushing your teeth right next to the hole, not drinking hot coffee or tea, not drinking through a straw and creating suction, and not eating foods that require a lot of chewing. Soft foods are ideal, like soup or bananas.
You should rinse your mouth very gently with a medicinal mouth rinse or a warm salt water rinse for the first day after the extraction has taken place.
Though your experience may not be exactly the same as someone elses, you should have pain relief from wisdom tooth pain in a couple of weeks after a tooth extraction procedure. With some over-the-counter medications or some ice, you will feel better in no time. You can enhance your recovery with some essential oils if you wish.
You May Like: Pain Behind Knee After Running
How Long Wisdom Tooth Pain Last
You may want to try applying an ice pack on the affected area to help reduce swelling the day you get home from having your wisdom teeth removed. You should use the ice for 15 minutes, then remove it for 15 minutes so you dont freeze your face. Every person will have a different recovery time and while some may see bruising on the jaw or have a very sore jaw, others will spring right back and not show any symptoms.
If you did have to have stitches, your dentist will probably leave them in for one to two weeks before removing them. By that time, all of the bruises on your face should be gone and everything should be pretty much back to how it should be. Your wisdom teeth pain should also be gone after about a week post-surgery.
If you dont let the clot form properly, you can end up with something called a dry socket. It can be really painful and you may even be able to see in the hole down to your jaw bone.
Pain After Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery

The best thing for wisdom tooth pain caused by impaction or infection is often a tooth extraction. If your dentist can see that leaving the tooth in place is likely to cause further problems, they will recommend removing it.
Ask a dentist: What role are oral health professionals playing in combating the opioid crisis?
Patients will not be in any pain while they are having their wisdom teeth removed because of anesthesia, but its natural to experience discomfort to the affected area after almost any kind of surgery. Opioids like OxyContin and Vicodin have long been prescribed for post-surgical pain relief for wisdom teeth patients and the medications do their job.
But regular use of these prescribed drugs can increase your tolerance and dependence and in some cases, long-term use can lead to addiction. Opioids may not be the best option for everyone.
With teenagers making up a large percentage of those who need their wisdom teeth removed, some oral health professionals have begun offering a pain relief option that is not addictive. Its called Exparel and it contains a type of local anesthetic that only treats the surgical area.
One dose administered during surgery starts to work before the anesthesia wears off and provides up to 72 hours of pain relief that can be followed up with or supplemented with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. Not everyone knows about this alternative option but check with your doctor to see if its available to you.
Don’t Miss: Pain Relief For Wisdom Teeth
B How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Wisdom Tooth Extraction
We offer products that we believe are useful to our readers. If you buy from links on this page, we can earn a small commission. Here is our process. Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common dental surgeries. It may take up to 2 weeks for wisdom teeth to be completely removed. Proper wound care can help a person to heal as quickly as possible. Wisdom teeth are large teeth that grow at the back of the mouth. Most peoples wisdom teeth come out between the ages of 17 and 25. Some people may not have wisdom teeth.
Sometimes, there is not enough space in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to move into the correct position. You can tear the gum at an angle or just partially come out. When this happens, they are known as affected wisdom teeth and can cause problems such as pain or infection. The time it takes to remove a wisdom tooth depends on the tooth and the difficulty of the operation.
But I Cant Afford To Miss Work
Fortunately, you wont have to miss a lot of time off work because of your dental extraction. But, if you push yourself too early, youll be risking the chance at having to take extra time off than you had already planned. The safest bet is to give yourself a couple of days to recover.
If your budget is tight, you may be tempted to delay getting dental care. Having a great dental savings plan from Cigna an alternative to dental insurance helps make dental care such as tooth extractions, wisdom tooth removal, and other oral surgery procedures far more affordable. Call us today for more information!
You May Like: The Pain Of Losing Someone You Love
The Tooth Extraction Healing Timeline What To Expect
Tooth extractions can be required for a variety of reasons. Typically, tooth extractions are performed to remove wisdom teeth. Most people donât have enough space in their mouths for their wisdom teeth, so pulling them is advised in order to prevent teeth shifting, pain, and other problems.
Teeth may also need to be extracted if they have been seriously damaged by a traumatic injury, or in cases of advanced tooth decay or periodontal disease.
As your mouth heals from your extraction, some side effects can occur. These side effects are only temporary. They include:
No matter what your specific reason may be, if youâre having a tooth pulled you may be wondering what to expect, and how long it will take to recover from your extraction. Hereâs a few things to keep in mind during post-op care:
The First 48 Hours After Tooth Extraction
The first two days after a tooth extraction is when the most aftercare and attention is needed. Here are some tips to make the most of this time:
- Leave the gauze your dentist placed in your mouth for a few hours to allow the blood clot to form. Then you can change it as often as needed.
- Rest for at least 24 hours after the extraction.
- Raise your head slightly when lying down.
- Avoid rinsing your mouth right away, as it can dislodge the clot that’s forming, affecting your healing time.
- Avoid drinking with a straw and spitting.
- Avoid hot liquids and or alcohol.
- If possible, avoid blowing your nose and sneezing.
- Don’t smoke or use any tobacco products for at least three days following the procedure.
- Take pain relievers as prescribed. They can also reduce inflammation.
- Reduce or minimize swelling with an ice pack on your cheek for 10-20 minutes at a time.
Recommended Reading: How To Stop Wisdom Tooth Pain
How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Pain Last Final Thoughts
At No Gaps Dental, we strive to provide gentle and effective dental care. Whether you are coming in for a wisdom tooth extraction or just want to find out if the procedure is right for you, we perform a thorough examination and go over all your options with you.
We ensure your peace of mind by providing you with any information you might want or need in regard to wisdom tooth pain relief and the entire extraction process. Call us on to find a location nearest you.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
What Causes Teeth To Become Impacted
Teeth become impacted for several reasons, like lack of jaw spacethey can be too large to fit in the gum line. Some tooth impactions are genetic, while others are caused by tooth decay or an injury to the tooth.
Impacted tooth extraction is performed after all other tooth-saving options have been exhausted.
Often tooth impactions are not discovered until they start to cause tooth decay or damage the surrounding teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth also have an increased likelihood of weakening other teeth in their vicinity due to lack of room in the mouth for them to become properly aligned.
In addition, tooth impactions can also result in tooth fracture. As a tooth fracture, the overall strength and health of the tooth are compromised. This can lead to further development of cavities and pain, as the nerve endings are exposed after tooth damage.
Read Also: Arthritis In Knees Pain Relief
How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Pain Last Wisdom Tooth Recovery Relief
After you have had your wisdom teeth removed, you can expect a period of recovery and healing, and the duration of this differs between patients. Its important to follow all post-surgical care instructions given by your dentist so that you can heal quickly and without complications. Lets take a look at how long does wisdom tooth pain last, and what you can do for wisdom tooth pain relief during recovery.
Wisdom Tooth Pain Symptoms Before Extraction

Wisdom teeth are located right at the back of your mouth. Most people have four, but you might have fewer than this or none at all. It’s also possible, although not as common, to have more than four wisdom teeth. Here we are going to focus on the different types of pain they cause, and how to find relief.
Wisdom teeth cause problems for many people and sometimes have to be removed. You might experience pain from:
- Eruption A wisdom tooth coming through the gum this often causes wisdom tooth pain when chewing
- Impaction When a tooth aligns incorrectly during eruption and ends up pushing against the adjacent tooth
- Infection Caused by partial impaction or decay
- Extraction Pain may continue for a while after a tooth is removed
- Complication Some issues after an extraction can be very painful
In the helpful video below, Dr. Bonnie Padwa describes some wisdom tooth pain symptoms and causes.
Whatever symptoms you experience, you should certainly mention any oral pain to your dentist at your next checkup. They will examine your mouth to determine the cause of the pain, and they may take an x-ray to see the position of any unerupted or partially erupted teeth.
Now let’s have a closer look at wisdom teeth pain and other symptoms. However, before getting started, we have some quick advice.
Find a dentist near you now
to get connected or call
Recommended Reading: High Blood Pressure And Back Pain
Day Of Surgery: What To Expect
Wisdom tooth oral surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes 45 minutes or less.
You wont be required to stay anywhere overnight. If youre only receiving local anesthesia , you can drive to and from the appointment. For surgical extractions with moderate to deep sedation, you will need a ride to and from your oral surgeons office.
Depending on which anesthesia optionsyou choose, your first day of recovery might be slightly different. Local anesthetic and conscious sedation are less taxing on your body than deep sedation.
What Is A Wisdom Tooth
The Wisdom tooth is the third and last molar on each side of your upper and lower jaws. These teeth commonly come in the mouth in late teenage or early twenties and are the final teeth to erupt in the mouth. Wisdom teeth are the most common molars which fail to erupt in the mouth due to their far most location and reduced jaw bone growth and space causing physical hindrance. Due to obstruction in their path of eruption in the mouth, tilted and rotated wisdom molars present which often cause infection and swelling of surrounding gum tissues. Infection and swelling occurs especially when food particles cannot be cleaned with daily brushing and becomes accumulated in the spaces between gums and teeth. Severe infection occurs and it becomes necessary to remove tilted, crooked and drifted wisdom teeth by exposing and removing surrounding jaw bone. American Dental Association recommends thorough check up of wisdom teeth around 16-19 years of age and their early removal if necessary to prevent serious side effects in future.
Also Check: Epidural Shot For Back Pain
What Happens In A Wisdom Tooth Extraction
To reduce pain, you may be scheduled for a surgery called a wisdom tooth extraction. During your procedure, you will get either local or general anesthesia, depending on how awake you want to be, and how much work needs to be done.
- If it is a pretty simple extraction, the dentist will remove the tooth and then leave the area to heal on its own. You probably will not even need to have stitches.
- But, if your wisdom tooth is more impacted, it will involve your dentist or oral surgeons making an incision into the gum to get to the tooth. The tooth may even have to come out in pieces, depending on how it lies in the jaw.
- Once the tooth is out, then your dentist will clean out the gums and make sure there is no further infection or broken bits of the tooth, then put in some gauze to absorb the blood.
After the operation is done, you may have some wisdom tooth pain while the teeth and gums heal. You may even experience a little swelling in the gum tissue. This is completely normal you have just had surgery and your body is trying to heal.
Some people have found relief with home remedies using essential oils such as clove oil or vanilla to help relieve the discomfort during recovery also.
How Long Will Pain Last After Wisdom Teeth Removal
The healing period after wisdom teeth have been removed could be as few as 1 to 2 days of soreness and bruising with some throbbing, achey pain. The soreness and pain usually dissipates to a little soreness at 3 to 7 days after the surgery. The pain is uaually controlled by ibuprofen and prescription pain medication. Healing patterns are variable depending on adherence to post-operative instructions, patient health status and surgical technique.
Also Check: Chronic Low Back Pain Icd 10
Pain After Wisdom Tooth Procedure How Long Should It Last
Most people recover from wisdom tooth extraction within 3-4 days and usually by this point, they can go about their normal daily lives. However, for more complex cases or multiple teeth extractions, full recovery may take 7-10 days.
What about rest?
Like with any type of surgery, rest is crucial. It helps wounds to heal faster and during sleep, allows the body to create more white blood cells. This, in turn, helps to stave off any infections.
For the first 24 hours at least, its advisable to avoid any exercise or strenuous movement and sit or lie down with your head in an elevated position. Any strenuous movement too soon after wisdom teeth removal may cause pain to worsen.
In any case, recovery after wisdom teeth extraction should all be covered under your treatment plan so if you stick to the home-care instructions given to you by your dentist or oral surgeon then recovery should be both quick and incident-free.
How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Pain Last
Wisdom teeth usually start making their way through the gums or erupting in early adulthood. Some people never develop wisdom teeth, some people have them come in easily, and some experience complications involved with their development.
Wisdom teeth extractions become necessary and recommended when these complications arise. Whether you are seeking wisdom tooth pain relief or think you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed, it is crucial to work closely with a skilled and caring dental professional.
Don’t Miss: What Organs Cause Lower Back Pain