Ways to Relieve Wisdom Teeth Pain

Painful Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth can be extremely painful as they grow. They are the last set of teeth to come out and may cause swelling, redness or inflammation in the surrounding gum tissue. This pain usually subsides on its own but if it does not, it may be time to visit a professional dental expert for wisdom teeth removal in Everett. Most dental experts will do the procedure or refer the patient to an oral surgeon to have it removed. It will only take a few days for one to recover and feel back to normal.

Why Remove Them?

Wisdom teeth usually grow from the ages of 17 to 25. People opt to undergo wisdom teeth removal in Everett for many reasons including impacted teeth, growing in the wrong angle, a small mouth, and cavities/gum disease. Because they grow at the back of the mouth, they may be squeezed, forcing them to come out abnormally. The squeezed space may also trap them between the jawbone and gums, causing excruciating pain. If they come out at the wrong angle, they will also press against the adjacent molars, causing lots of pain. Additionally, having a small mouth means there is no more room for an extra set of teeth. And because one may not reach them as often when brushing their teeth, there is a possibility of dental cavities and gum disease.

Over-The-Counter Remedies

As one prepares to visit a dentist for removal, there are several natural home remedies and over-the-counter treatments available to help dab the pain. They include numbing gels, ibuprofen, ice packs, salt-water rinse, and cloves, among others. Numbing gels contain active ingredients that help dull the pain and reduce the sensitivity in the gums. Some people could be allergic to the gel, thus one should read the instructions carefully before using it. Ibuprofen is another over-the-counter drug that helps reduce inflammation. It is an effective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can be used effectively to relieve gum pain until a dentist shows up.

Natural Home Solutions

Because of their numbing effect, ice packs placed on the sensitive jaw area can help reduce inflammation thereby relieving pain. A person can hold an ice pack off and on, with 10 to 20-minute breaks until the pain subsides. Secondly, salt is a natural disinfectant. Rinsing the mouth with salt water helps reduce bacteria. If bacteria build-up is the cause of pain, this method can be very effective in reducing discomfort and treating the infection. Salt water rinsing can be done three times a day until the pain subsides. Third, cloves have been found to have pain-relieving properties due to their numbing effect. The clove can be placed on the wisdom tooth without chewing until the pain subsides. If one is using clove oil, putting a few drops on a ball of cotton wool and placing it in the affected area will help reduce pain.

Removal

When home remedies fail to alleviate pain, the wisdom teeth have to be removed. A dentist or a dental surgeon does the procedure in a hospital. Before removal, a local anesthetic is injected to numb the pain, and small cuts are made on the tooth. The procedure is a short one, lasting about 10 or 20 minutes. The anesthetic may last up to three days while the pain will take an extra week or two.