If your wisdom teeth are coming in, they’re most likely going to be accompanied by significant pain and swelling. There are a few remedies that can help provide wisdom teeth pain relief until you are finally able to have them removed. First, it is important to make sure your wisdom teeth are definitely coming in and not some other sort of cause for your tooth pain.
Painful Wisdom Teeth Symptoms
Very similar to teething as a baby, wisdom teeth coming in are a painful experience. You probably don’t remember teething as a child, but it is often what causes babies to cry until they are offered some form of relief. If your wisdom teeth are coming in, it’s important to make an appointment with a dental surgeon to discuss if wisdom teeth removal will be necessary. This will depend on several factors including how crowded your mouth is and if your wisdom teeth are impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth absolutely needs to be removed because it will cause extra swelling around the gums and severe damage to the molars.
In the meantime, here are some pain and swelling relief tips if your wisdom teeth are causing you pain. These will help you make it through until your wisdom teeth removal procedure.
1. Create a Warm Mouth Rinse
Mix one cup of warm water with one tablespoon of salt. Take a swig and swish this solution around in your mouth for about 30 seconds then spit and repeat. This warm saltwater solution will calm the inflamed areas where your wisdom teeth are coming in. It also helps to keep the mouth clean and free of food debris that might get stuck in the sensitive areas where wisdom teeth are breaking the skin. You can repeat this as many times as you need throughout the day.
2. Take a Gentle Pain Reliever, Cautiously
Ibuprofen is a great solution for short term pain relief while you wait to go see a dentist. With any pain relievers, it is important to use caution and never take more than instructed. Follow the direction on the back of the bottle and discontinue use as directed. Continuing to use painkillers instead of seeking medical attention could lead to serious infections and teeth crowding.
3. Ice Outside of Your Jaw on the Affected Side(s)
Wrap some ice or an ice pack with a towel and apply this to the outside of your face on the jawline of the affected side. If your wisdom teeth are coming in on both sides, then ice for one minute and switch to the other side and continue repeating for ten total minutes. Ice helps to reduce the swelling and pain, but be sure to wrap it in a towel to prevent damage to the delicate skin on your face.
4. Apply Clove Oil to a Cotton Ball and Dab on Wisdom Teeth
Clove oil is a safe and natural way to relieve some pain and keep the wisdom tooth area clean. Simply apply some clove oil to a cotton ball and dab the cotton ball on the gums where the wisdom tooth is surfacing. Clove oil has natural anesthetic and antibacterial properties. This means it will help numb the area that is in pain and will also keep it clean to fend off potential infection.
5. Stay Away from Sugary and Hard Foods
Lastly, you can help relieve wisdom tooth pain by being extra cautious about the types of food and drink you are consuming. Sugary foods can cause a ton of tooth pain as those wisdom teeth pop up, so try to avoid candy for a while. Very hard or crunchy foods can also inflame the area and increase pain. Drink lots of water to keep the mouth clean and to flush out food.
Schedule Your Wisdom Teeth Removal Consultation
Many of these pain relief and swelling relief tips will also be helpful during the wisdom teeth removal and recovery period! If you are starting to experience pain due to your wisdom teeth coming in, you should schedule a wisdom tooth consultation with a dental surgeon. Your oral surgeon will take x-rays to determine if the tooth or teeth are coming in impacted or are crowding other areas of the mouth. If you live in the Pennsylvania or New Jersey area and are looking for quality dentistry service please contact the experts at St. Luke’s OMS!