What Causes Wisdom Teeth Pain
Wisdom teeth usually emerge after all the adult teeth. They may emerge at an awkward angle, or there may not be enough room for them.
Wisdom teeth normally push their way through the gums when a person is between the ages of 17 and 21. The sensation of a tooth pushing through the gums can be painful.
In addition, there is often no room for the wisdom teeth in a person’s mouth, as the adult teeth have already developed. This lack of space may cause wisdom teeth to come through at an angle, or getting stuck and not come through fully.
When this happens, the wisdom teeth are impacted. Having impacted wisdom teeth leaves the gums vulnerable, as the surface breaks and the teeth are not fully through. Food and bacteria can get trapped in the gums and lead to several issues, including:
- gum disease
- cysts
Home Remedies For Wisdom Teeth Pain
If you prefer to use a natural remedy for wisdom teeth pain relief, salt water and clove oil are both effective.
Cloves have antibacterial, anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties. You can apply diluted clove oil directly to the painful area for quick relief. A saltwater mouth rinse is also an effective way to kill bacteria and reduce any swelling.
Another simple remedy for wisdom tooth pain is to to place a cold compress on your jaw where it hurts. This will help reduce swelling and numb the area that hurts because of your wisdom tooth.
Read more about how to use these and other home remedies for toothache.
Apply Clove Oil To A Cotton Ball And Dab On Wisdom Teeth
Clove oil is a safe and natural way to relieve some pain and keep the wisdom tooth area clean. Simply apply some clove oil to a cotton ball and dab the cotton ball on the gums where the wisdom tooth is surfacing. Clove oil has natural anesthetic and antibacterial properties. This means it will help numb the area that is in pain and will also keep it clean to fend off potential infection.
Recommended Reading: Medicare Guidelines For Pain Management Injections 2021
Wisdom Tooth Pain: Causes And Cures
If your wisdom teeth are starting to cause pain its probably time to have them looked at. There are a few reasons why your wisdom teeth might be hurting you, and the majority of those reasons indicate that wisdom teeth removal is needed.
Most people have their wisdom teeth removed because they simply dont have room to grow in without becoming impacted or shifting other teeth. No matter the reason, wisdom teeth rarely cause pain unless there is something wrong.
5 Causes of Wisdom Tooth Pain:
- Growing Pains: If your wisdom teeth are hurting, it could simply be them growing in. When they break through the gums it can cause pain, slight swelling and soreness.
- Cavity: Due to lack of space, wisdom teeth often grow in very close to neighboring teeth. This tight space is hard to clean making it a prime spot for cavities to form.
- Impacted Tooth: If a wisdom tooth becomes impacted it can cause swelling, pain when chewing or biting, pain in the jaw and difficulty opening your mouth.
- Cyst Development: When a wisdom tooth is impacted a cyst can form at the impacted tooths follicle causing pain in the tooth and jawbone.
- Gum Disease: Gum disease is more likely to form on wisdom teeth because their location and lack of space make them harder to clean.
Here are some ways to relieve pain from wisdom teeth:
Cold Compress/Ice: A cold compress or ice pack can help temporarily dull the ache in your jaw.
How To Relieve Swollen Gum Around Wisdom Tooth

1. Saline Water
Dissolve half teaspoon salt in a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth after every meal, which helps to ward off infection and has soothing effect on pain. It can be done even during medical treatment.
2. Clove Oil
Clove oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which helps in relieving inflammation of gums and reduces pain. Clove oil on cotton placed near the tooth for an hour will be helpful in reducing swelling.
3. Camphor
Wrapping camphor in cotton and placing near the wisdom tooth can cause numbing effect on the painful gums. You can place this till it dissolves in the mouth.
4. Ice Massage
Massaging the cheek near the impacted tooth with an ice-cube rolled in a towel for 5 minutes will give a soothing effect and reduce the swelling.
5. Oral Numbing Gel
These gels are available OTC for topical application on the affected area. The gel will provide relief from unbearable pain only temporarily.
6. Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is the very essential part of home care. Brush your teeth with soft toothbrush, especially those affected part. Flossing helps in removing food particles and medicated mouthwash helps in controlling infection.
Here are some professional suggestions to treat swollen gums that can help you a lot:
Also Check: How To Stop Wisdom Tooth Pain
Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Pulled
Here are a few good reasons to make the choice to have your wisdom teeth removed:
-
Shifting of other teeth: Wisdom teeth, especially impacted ones, can cause the other teeth to shift and cause problems with your bite
-
Bone loss: Impacted wisdom teeth can destroy the bone where they are trapped
-
Sinus problems: Upper wisdom teeth can interfere with the sinuses and cause infections, congestion, and headaches
-
Cysts: These fluid-filled sacs form around impacted wisdom teeth and can destroy the bone.
-
Gum inflammation: The gum tissue around the wisdom teeth can become infected and irritated
-
Periodontal disease and cavities: Because they are hard to keep clean, wisdom teeth are often the site of gum disease and cavities
-
Dentures and partials: For the elderly or those who must be fitted with false teeth, the wisdom teeth may interfere with the ability of the denture or partial to function properly
Getting permanent relief from wisdom tooth pain and avoiding the adverse conditions mentioned above means having the tooth or teeth removed. Hopefully, your general dentist can remove the tooth, but certain difficult cases require the skills of an oral surgeon to safely remove the wisdom tooth.
Whoever removes your wisdom tooth will provide postoperative instructions about what to do and what not to do after you get home to ensure fast and safe healing.
Why Do You Have Wisdom Tooth Pain
Wisdom teeth are usually the last permanent teeth to appear. Some people never get wisdom teeth, but for those who do, they usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25.
In some cases, wisdom teeth come in, or erupt, normally without any problems. For many people, though, wisdom teeth become impacted, which means they cant grow in normally because theres not enough room in the mouth.
Your dentist may be able to look at X-rays and determine your wisdom teeth need to be removed because theyre coming in at an angle or dont have any room at all to come in.
In other cases, you can tell theres trouble if you begin to feel pain in the back of your mouth where your wisdom teeth are located.
Also Check: Best Strain Of Weed For Pain
Wisdom Teeth Pain Relief
Depending on your preference, you can use natural pain-relief remedies or pick up an over-the-counter medication.
Saltwater Rinse
Rinsing your mouth can help you find wisdom teeth pain relief, so try this simple remedy:
Benzocaine
Numbing wisdom teeth is a simple way to dull the pain. This is particularly true if the pain is disrupting your day and doesn’t seem to settle down via other methods.
Consider spreading a gel-based topical anesthetic, such as benzocaine, on your gums where wisdom teeth protrude. You’ll get the best results if you use a cloth or gauze to dry the area before adding the gel. Apply as needed throughout the day.
Ibuprofen
Any over-the-counter pain reliever can help you get rid of that throbbing sensation so that you can concentrate on your day. But because ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, it can work best. Be sure to always read package directions, especially where dosages are concerned.
Homemade Remedies To Treat Wisdom Tooth Pain Naturally
Everyone, knows how terrible toothache might be, and when it comes to wisdom tooth pain, everything is even more terrifying.
Without proper treatment, wisdom teeth will haunt you for the rest of your life since the 10th birthday. In this article, you will learn how to deal with wisdom teeth pain.
You May Like: Early Pregnancy Left Side Pain
Wisdom Tooth Pain Remedies
So, you have made an appointment to have your painful wisdom teeth removed, but the oral surgeon couldnt fit you in the schedule until next month. Here are some home remedies for wisdom tooth pain until your appointment.
- Ice Chips: Apply to the painful wisdom teeth to help numb the pain and reduce swelling.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: They can help temporarily ease the discomfort associated with painful wisdom teeth.
- Salt Water: Using a mixture of about eight ounces of water with two teaspoons of salt, rinse to clean your mouth and help dislodge food particles and bacteria that could be causing a painful infection.
Wisdom tooth extraction is not an option for some people due to potential risk for complications, bleeding disorders, or some other cause. In these cases, your dentist may recommend the pain management options like those mentioned above. In cases where wisdom tooth extraction is not an option, your dentist may also prescribe a special mouth rinse that will clean your mouth after meals and kill bacteria that could potentially cause infection.
The 5 Best Remedies To Relieve Wisdom Teeth Swelling And Pain
If your wisdom teeth are coming in, theyre most likely going to be accompanied by significant pain and swelling. There are a few remedies that can help provide wisdom teeth pain relief until you are finally able to have them removed. First, it is important to make sure your wisdom teeth are definitely coming in and not some other sort of cause for your tooth pain.
You May Like: Why Am I Having Back Pain
Painful Wisdom Teeth In Pregnancy
You might experience heightened problems with your wisdom teeth while pregnant because changes to the hormones in your mouth make it more susceptible to gum disease and infection.
If you’re planning to get pregnant, it’s best to have a dental checkup first so your dentist can check for potential problems that should be dealt with beforehand. Dentists generally avoid carrying out procedures like fillings and teeth extractions during pregnancy, if possible.
If you need extra wisdom tooth pain relief during pregnancy, speak to your dentist or doctor to check what’s safest for you and your baby.
How Long Does Wisdom Tooth Pain After Extraction Last

After your anesthetic has worn off, the extraction site itself will feel sore for several days. The rate of healing will depend on how large the wound is and whether you have stitches. Your dentist might prescribe you a course of antibiotics to prevent infection and will either supply painkillers, or inform you of the best over-the-counter painkillers for wisdom teeth pain relief.
You can read our article on wisdom teeth recovery for tips on caring for your mouth and reducing the chances of complications in the days after an extraction. For now though, here are a few basics for minimizing pain:
- Rest as much as possible and avoid strenuous exercise
- Don’t touch or poke the wound with your fingers or tongue
- Avoid hot or cold foods and drinks
- Don’t smoke, vape, or drink through a straw
- If using mouthwash or salt water to rinse, do so gently
- Brush very carefully around the extraction site
Finally, and most importantly, closely follow your dentist’s advice for protecting the wound and the blood clot that forms inside. If the blood clot becomes dislodged, you’ll experience intense pain from the exposed bone. This condition, known as dry socket’, requires additional dental care.
If you feel like your pain is increasing in the days after an extraction, consult your dentist.
You May Like: Pain Relief For Wisdom Teeth
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
Natural Home Remedies For Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief
If you or anyone you know has ever experienced the eruption of wisdom teeth, they will brag about the pain they went through. If you ask for help, most people will tell you to visit your dentist so that they can have your wisdom teeth removed immediately. The idea may work for some however, it isnt feasible for everyone, and something else may be required. Specifically, you may need remedies to get rid of tooth pain. This article will explore 20 amazing natural home remedies to help you find relief from wisdom tooth pain.
Also Check: Foods That Cause Chest Pain
Crushed Garlic And Ginger
Crushed garlic was found in a 2016 study of plant remedies to be one of the more effective killers of pathogens that invade and infect the gum line. Combining garlic with crushed ginger into a paste makes garlic even more effective.
You can crush raw garlic into a paste-like consistency before adding fresh, chopped ginger and applying the paste to your gums.
How Does Wisdom Tooth Pain Feel
If your wisdom teeth have yet to come through, you may be wondering what sort of discomfort to expect. Is that pain in your gums coming from a cavity or might it be from a wisdom tooth?
It could be growing pains from wisdom teeth if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- A feeling of tenderness behind your second molars
- Swollen or red gums at the affected area
- Discomfort in your jaw or mouth at the very back
- Headaches, especially common when upper wisdom teeth erupt
- A hard bump in your gum which is visibly emerging
If youre experiencing slight discomfort towards the back of your mouth and think it could be caused by wisdom teeth, you might want to just hold off for a bit to see if it resolves itself and the pain goes away. At this stage, you could try taking some over-the-counter painkillers for wisdom tooth pain recovery & relief.
This may help you get through the day but naturally, taking painkillers on a regular basis is not a good long-term solution.
One remedy you can try yourself at home for relief from wisdom tooth pain is to rinse your mouth out several times a day with warm salt water. Not only will this help kill any bacteria which may be causing an infection, but it will also loosen any particles of food that may have got stuck between your teeth and rinse them away.
Don’t Miss: Will Tylenol Help With Tooth Pain
What Is A Wisdom Tooth
In a normal full set of teeth, there are four wisdom teeth, also known as third molars. These are located at the back of the mouth in each of the four corners.
One result of many eons of evolution is that our jaw size has become smaller. Modern humans have a smaller jaw and less room for a full dentition. So many people suffer when the wisdom teeth try to grow into an area that has evolved to accommodate only 28 teeth. Those final four molars simply do not have room to grow normally and thrive like the others.
Wisdom teeth are a normal part of a persons dental development. Located behind the 12-year-molar, or the second molar, wisdom teeth provide additional surfaces for chewing food. Like other teeth, they can serve as attachments for bridges to hold false teeth, as anchors for partial dentures, and can develop dental diseases such as cavities and gum disease if not kept clean and free of food debris and plaque, a bacterial film that forms on all teeth daily.
What Causes Wisdom Tooth Pain And The Best Remedies To Treat It
Typically, wisdom is welcome. Not so when it comes to wisdom teeth: When these four teeth in the back of your mouth arrive it often leads to pain.
Video of the Day
Find out more about why wisdom teeth aka third molars so often cause problems, along with the best ways to manage any pain and discomfort.
Don’t Miss: Pain On Pinky Side Of Hand