Wisdom teeth are the four molars at the very back of your mouth that tend to come in when you reach adulthood. Most people start getting their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 25. For others, it can take much longer. If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain, read on to find out more about what’s causing this and how to treat the pain.

Is wisdom tooth pain normal?

A lot of people experience some pain when their wisdom teeth are coming in as they are pushing through your gums. Some will experience more intense pain whereas others might not notice at all. When the teeth have fully grown in, the pain should cease.

However, some people will have problems with their wisdom teeth that can cause severe and prolonged pain, as well as further complications. For example, wisdom teeth may be “impacted”, meaning they don’t erupt and are stuck under the gum. This may be because there is no space for the tooth or because it is growing towards your back teeth rather than directly up.

How to manage wisdom teeth pain

When your wisdom teeth are coming through, typical over-the-counter pain killers should be enough to manage the pain. You can also try some at-home remedies such as gargling with a salt water rinse to help kill bacteria and prevent infection around the site. Products containing aloe vera and menthol can also have soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.

If your pain is too severe to manage using the above methods, then you may need to see your dentist. They will be able to advise a course of treatment and may also prescribe prescription medication to manage the pain, if necessary.

When should you have your wisdom teeth removed?

Many people in the US have their wisdom teeth removed. This procedure is sometimes performed in response to a problem such as infection or impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a lot of pain and complications. They may damage your other teeth and become infected.

So, if you have bad toothache around your wisdom teeth and other symptoms, like bad breath, you should visit your dentist to see if your wisdom teeth need to be removed. In other cases, your dentist may recommend removing your wisdom teeth as a precautionary measure to prevent future problems.

If you’re experiencing wisdom teeth pain, then book an appointment with Advance Family Dental. We provide pain-free dentistry for patients around Bermuda Run, Winston Salem, Clemmons, and Lewisville.