Category: Adult Dentistry, Dr. Advocate's Insight
My patients have described wisdom tooth pain as a debilitating throb deep within their jaw; And most are hoping to have the wisdom teeth removed ASAP. However, if you suffer from wisdom tooth pain and cannot be seen by an oral surgeon, pain symptoms can last for days.
This article discusses the most common symptoms, pain relief and home remedies for wisdom teeth, including essential oils.
Recommended Reading: Wisdom Teeth | The Ultimate Guide
Wisdom teeth or third molars are the last adult teeth to erupt and are located in the back of the mouth. They come in between the ages of 17 and 25, but their eruption time is variable.
Most people have four wisdom teeth (two on top and two on the bottom); however, it’s possible to have one, two, three, or more than four; the extra teeth are called supernumerary teeth.
Wisdom teeth pain can occur from multiple factors. For example, impacted wisdom teeth are located deep within the bone and grow towards the adjacent tooth. As the roots form, the tooth pushes into the adjacent tooth leading to pressure pain.
When wisdom teeth erupt and push through the gums, it irritates the gum tissue leading to gum inflammation. In addition, the opposing tooth (the other tooth used for chewing) will inadvertently bite down on the inflamed gum tissue. This condition is known as pericoronitis.
Small holes within the gum tissue also allow food to pack in hard-to-clean areas. If the food is not cleared away, cavity-causing bacteria will congregate and cause painful tooth decay. In addition, gum disease and bone loss will occur if the harmful bacteria or wisdom tooth is left untreated.
Often, a toothache in the back of the mouth or lower jaw is the first sign of wisdom teeth eruption. Earaches and headaches may also occur due to insufficient space for the wisdom teeth to erupt. This sensation is called referred pain because the pain triggers a response away from the actual pain source.
Impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to cause pain because they don’t erupt as planned. Alternatively, wisdom teeth will erupt without pain symptoms if there is adequate space in the back of the mouth.
The causes of impacted wisdom teeth are variable; however, the most common reason is due to lack of adequate space in the mouth. The second molar is the last visible tooth before the wisdom tooth erupts. Therefore, people with small mouths won’t have enough room for the third molar to erupt, leading to tooth impaction.
If you are dealing with wisdom tooth pain, various methods exist to help alleviate it. First, however, it’s best to contact your dentist as soon as possible; They may want to see you for an in-office evaluation or schedule you with an oral surgeon. In the meantime, over-the-counter medication such as Motrin (Ibuprofen) or Tylenol will help alleviate pain and inflammation.
Ibuprofen blocks pain response enzymes and effectively blocks analgesic (pain relief) and anti-inflammatory action after third molar extractions. In addition, research has shown that the most intense dental pain occurs after removing impacted third molars.
According to a recent study, premedication with ibuprofen and an NSAID (Tylenol) significantly increased the success rates of numbing wisdom teeth during surgery. In addition, patients with dental pain after third molar surgery confirmed ibuprofen’s analgesic (pain relief) effects.
According to research, the most effective natural pain relief formulation contains three essential oils. This orally acceptable pain-relief “leave-on” gel provides sustained delivery of pain-relieving herbal extracts to the affected tooth.
Apply clove oil (primarily eugenol), menthol, and camphor directly to the tooth for extended pain relief.
Some patients experiencing dental pain avoid OTC medication choosing to use natural remedies; Home remedies have long-standing historical safety and efficacy. Another reason for a home remedy is to eliminate the time lag between pain initiation and a visit to a dental clinic.
In addition to OTC pain medication, I recommended rinsing with warm salt water 2-3 times/day. This simple method is one of the most methods for wisdom tooth pain relief. While research suggests there are health benefits with essential oils, they are not FDA-approved. Discuss any questions or concerns with your healthcare provider. Let’s explore the most effective home remedies.
Wisdom teeth removal is a standard outpatient procedure for patients between the ages of 15 and 25. Recovery after wisdom teeth removal takes 3-4 days, but it can take 1-2 weeks for symptoms to subside.
Your oral surgeon will provide detailed post-op instructions, including contact information. In addition, you must follow the at-home care instructions that your surgeon gives you to prevent complications and to improve healing.
Recommended Reading: How to Sleep After Wisdom Teeth Removal? (BEST Tips)Your mouth is designed for optimal healing and regeneration; however, expect the tooth socket to heal completely in 3-6 months.
The best methods to reduce wisdom tooth pain:
Wisdom teeth pain can last for many days if the wisdom teeth have not been removed or pain relief has not been addressed. The pain will continue to get worse until it plateaus for up to a few weeks.
Lower wisdom teeth are located close to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), which runs inside your jaw, signaling a pain response to your brain. As a result, it's highly sensitive to temperature, pressure and irritation. In addition, limited space is available for wisdom teeth to erupt, causing intense strain on nearby teeth.
In time the pain will go away but rarely do patients allow it to get to that point because of the intensity. In addition, if wisdom teeth are not removed, it can lead to infection and inflammation.
Wisdom teeth pain relief can be accomplished using OTC medications, warm salt water rinse and essential oils. Contact your dentist as soon as possible; however, in the meantime, follow the methods discussed to provide lasting pain relief before your appointment.