What is the cause of Wisdom Tooth Pain? Unfortunately, there are many causes of wisdom tooth discomfort, and in this article we will go over them, along with some remedies that might help you along the way. We will also be addressing some commonly asked questions about wisdom teeth pain. If your wisdom teeth are hurting, most dentists and surgeons will recommend that you get your wisdom teeth removed.
What Causes Wisdom Tooth Pain?
Here are some main causes of wisdom tooth pain.
- Wisdom Teeth Growing In: As you reach your teenage years, you may notice your wisdom teeth growing in. As these teeth break through the gum tissue, the area may start getting inflamed and irritated. Sometimes, slight swelling in the area may also occur.
- Caries: A cavity forming on your wisdom tooth can be quite common as it is very hard to keep wisdom teeth clean. Some of these cavities can get quite large, even penetrating into the nerve tissue of the tooth. Cavities are usually a major cause of wisdom teeth pain.
- Impacted Wisdom Tooth: An impacted wisdom tooth can cause an infection inside the jawbone that can sometimes become a dental emergency. It may end up causing irritation, swelling, and a condition called trismus (difficulty opening your mouth).
- Gum Disease: Wisdom teeth that are partially erupted can end up causing a condition called pericoronitis. Although, not an infection, it leads to severe swelling and inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue overlying the wisdom tooth, and can be the cause of severe pain.
- Wisdom Tooth Cyst: Sometimes, a large cyst can form around an impacted wisdom tooth causing severe jaw pain in the area. If this happens to be the case, removal of the wisdom tooth may need to be immediate.
What Are Some Remedies To Wisdom Tooth Pain?
Here are some cures to wisdom tooth pain:
- Wisdom Teeth Extraction: Removing your wisdom tooth eliminates the source of the problem, especially if your wisdom tooth is infected. Your dentist may recommend a course of antibiotics prior to your surgery to alleviate some of the infection in the area.
- Ice Pack: Cold compresses normally help alleviate some of the pain and swelling in the area. Although it will not eliminate the pain completely, it will help control your pain until your wisdom tooth is removed.
- Medications: Aleve, Ibuprofen, and Tylenol are all over-the-counter medications that can help with your wisdom tooth pain until your can see your doctor.
- Benzocaine: Sold as an over-the-counter gel, this topical anesthetic allows for temporary relief of wisdom tooth pain. Of course, only wisdom tooth removal can cure your ailment, but this magical gel can help soothe the area until you can see your clinician.
Can Wisdom Tooth Pain Cause An Earache?
If you are suffering from an earache, it is always prudent to seek the help of an ENT (ear, nose, and throat physician). However, there are cases where an infected wisdom tooth can lead to earaches, and cause pain to radiate to that area. Earaches associated with wisdom teeth are normally associated with lower wisdom tooth infections.
Can Wisdom Tooth Pain Go Away On Its Own?
Sometimes, wisdom tooth pain is off and on. But that does not necessarily mean that it is not causing an infection. Having pain in an area means that there is something wrong there, so at Best Dental we recommend removing your wisdom tooth at the first sign of pain symptoms.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Throat Pain?
They certainly can, especially if they are getting infected. Throat pain associated with wisdom teeth is usually caused by your lower wisdom teeth, and can cause a myriad of systemic issues. In extreme cases, they can lead to a condition called Ludwig’s Angina.
What Are Some Common Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Pain?
These are some common symptoms that patients note when they are having wisdom teeth pain:
- Jaw pain that can some times radiate to the ears
- Teeth pain that transfers across the entire mouth
- The feeling of tissue swelling around the wisdom tooth
- Sore throat
- Enlarged tonsils (this is normally associated with lower wisdom teeth infections)
- Headaches
- Numbness of your teeth, lips, and jaws if there is an infection that is compressing nerves within your jawbone.
If You Are Having WIsdom Teeth Pain During the Night
A lot of times, our wisdom teeth begin to cause pain during the night hours when we can’t see our dentist. Sometimes, the pain can be unbearable. Here are a few tips you can take to minimize the pain until you can see your dentist or oral surgeon:
- Ice Packs: Placing a cold compress on that affected area can help minimize some of your discomfort for the first 24 hours.
- Salt Water Rinses: Sometimes, the soft tissue around the wisdom tooth can become inflamed. Salt water rinses can help minimize the swelling and pain that your feeling until you can see your dentist.
- Ibuprofen 600mg: Taking 600mg of Ibuprofen can remedy some of the discomfort until your can see your clinician to see why your wisdom teeth are bothering you.
- A trip to your Local emergency room that have trained oral surgeons on staff can help if you are infected from your wisdom teeth.
Wisdom tooth pain is a symptom that is telling your body that there is something wrong. Removal of your wisdom teeth at an early age is normally recommended due to the various problems that can arise from wisdom teeth. Schedule a consultation with our surgery experts at Best Dental today to have to prevent and cure any health problems that wisdom teeth can cause. We look forward to meeting you!
