Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief

Wisdom teeth are the rearmost teeth in your jaw, two on each side and an adult will usually have four of them, though the number may vary between people. The eruption of these teeth is usually associated with coming of age; hence they get the name “Wisdom Teeth”.
These teeth enabled early humans to eat rough and hard food easily, however with evolution, and the diet getting softer, the jaw bone size reduced. This left very less space for the wisdom teeth to erupt properly and hence these days we find that in most cases, the wisdom teeth either partially erupt or does not erupt at all.
For most adults, wisdom teeth eruption is un-eventful, however for some; it is a time of unbearable pain.

Following are some of the questions regarding wisdom teeth with answers and possible treatment options:

Why does it pain when wisdom tooth is erupting?

It pains because the wisdom tooth is creating space for itself by pushing adjacent teeth and/or is pressing on the dental nerves causing pain and swelling.

Is extraction the only option for wisdom tooth?

It depends. If the tooth is erupting straight, we can avoid an extraction and just support with pain relief during the eruption phase. However, if the wisdom tooth is misaligned or erupting in the wrong direction, we suggest an extraction.

How do you support with wisdom tooth pain relief?

During the eruption phase, we suggest holding warm salt water in your mouth three times a day and maintaining excellent oral hygiene. In case of swelling, Dr. Anjana will prescribe some medicines as well.

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

A wisdom tooth is referred to as impacted when the tooth partially erupts or stays below the gums.

When do you suggest extracting the wisdom tooth?

We suggest an extraction if the tooth is misaligned and/or impacted:

• It may be difficult to brush the wisdom tooth properly due to its location. This may eventually lead to tooth decay and gum infection.
• The tooth adjacent to the wisdom tooth may also decay because of food lodgment in between the two teeth.
• May lead to teeth crowding and that in turn will require braces to straighten the teeth.
• Gum tissue surrounding the impacted teeth may become swollen and inflamed causing discomfort and pain.
• Cyst may form in the surrounding tissues around the impacted tooth. The cyst can grow and cause damage to the jaw, the surrounding bone and tissues. Such a situation can lead to serious complications and may need surgical intervention.

When should I see a dentist?

Minor discomfort and pain is usual when the tooth is erupting, however call us or visit in case of:

• Pain around the jaw and the ear coupled with a headache
• Swollen gums
• Swelling on the face or around the jaw
• Bad Breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Difficulty in mouth opening
• Mild to High Fever with the above symptoms

Based on the diagnosis, we may either prescribe medication or suggest extraction if we find the tooth to keep on causing problems for you in the future.

For Post Surgery Instructions, please check out our wisdom tooth post operative care section.

For more information on wisdom tooth or to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us at +91 96 50 98 3999 and we will be glad to assist you.