While there are many causes and reasons for dental pain, pain relating to wisdom teeth is one of the most common causes we see at our practice. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about wisdom tooth pain, causes, and possible remedies.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to erupt from the gum. They are usually four (4) in number and found at the back or corner of the mouth- two at the top and two at the bottom. They usually emerge as a set of molars and are common between the ages of 17 and 25. The wisdom may surface after all your adult teeth have grown. So don’t be alarmed because it is totally normal.
What Causes Wisdom Tooth Pain?
The pain occurs because all your teeth have completely grown and there is no more space for the wisdom tooth to come out. This now causes the tooth to grow at awkward/unusual angles from the gum thereby causing unbearable pain.
Most times, the wisdom tooth forces its way through the gum, grows completely or gets stuck at a point. In some cases where the wisdom tooth is stuck, the gum is exposed to infections, cysts, gum disease and so on. That’s why it is important to understand what the wisdom tooth is and how to identify them when they start growing.
How to Treat at Home
Pain emerging from wisdom tooth growth is usually intense and frustrating. Below are some methods you can try at home to alleviate the pain:
- Ice
- Salt Water Rinse
- Tea Bag
- Ibuprofen
- Alcohol Based Mouth Rinses
Removal of Wisdom Teeth
The pain may only reduce with the home remedies listed above. However, if you want to get rid of the pain completely, you will need to remove it. The procedure usually takes between twenty (20) to thirty (30) minutes.
