Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Pain

Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Pain: What to Look Out For – A Comprehensive Guide

Wisdom teeth, also known as “third molars,” are your teeth that come in last and make their grand entrance in the back of your mouth. They’re so called “wisdom” teeth because they usually come in when you’re all wise and grown up, in your late teens or early twenties. They often don’t have enough room to come in properly, so they get impacted, stuck, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes, even infection. Read along to know visible symptoms of wisdom tooth pain so that you can easily deal with it.

Top 10 symptoms indicating tooth pain due to wisdom teeth

Here are the top 10 wisdom teeth pain symptoms:

Pain or discomfort

If you feel that your mouth is constantly aching, it might be because of the new entry at the back. This is the most common symptom and can range from mild to severe.

Swelling

Swelling in the jaw or gums near the affected wisdom tooth is a clear indicator that it needs attention.

Redness

Inflammation of the gums is mainly why they turn red in color.

Bleeding gums

Bleeding gums can occur if the wisdom tooth irritates the surrounding gum tissue.

Jaw pain

Intense pain in your jaw can be a symptom of wisdom tooth issues, especially if you can spot your tooth is impacted. This situation in turn puts pressure on the jawbone.

Headache

Persistent headache also serves as a symptom of wisdom teeth problems.

Ear pain

Since your ears are near the TMJ where wisdom teeth are found, their impacted growth can indicate that your oral health needs a check.

Stiffness or soreness in the jaw

Sometimes your jaw locks up and becomes stiff or sore due to wisdom teeth causing pressure and irritation in the joint.

Bad taste or bad breath

A persistent bad taste or more like metallic taste in the mouth, along with bad breath can be a sign that your mouth needs attention.

Dizziness or nausea

Dizziness or nausea due to constant headaches is a major concern when wisdom teeth do not get enough space to grow.

Treating wisdom tooth pain

There are several things you can do to relieve this issue:

1. Over-the-counter pain medications

You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce the pain. They are easily available without the need of prescription and are safe to use.

2. Ice packs

This trick is as old as the world. Applying an ice pack to the affected area can help greatly reduce swelling and numbing the pain.

3. Saltwater rinse

This solution is no less than a holy grail for your mouth troubles. Rinsing your mouth with saltwater can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Moreover, it acts as an antibacterial too which is beneficial.

4. Avoid hard or chewy foods

Steer clear of items that may break and get stuck in places you won’t be able to reach. Eating soft foods and avoiding hard or chewy foods can help reduce pressure on the affected tooth and reduce pain. Making it easier to clean afterwards.

5. Prescription pain medications:

If over-the-counter pain relievers are not enough, your dentist may prescribe stronger pain medication. However, take them according to the severity of pain and on doctor’s recommendation.

6. Antibiotics:

If there is an infection present, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to clear it.

7. Dental procedures:

There are several dental procedures that help get rid of the pain caused due to wisdom teeth.
Usually, if it’s not healthy to retain the tooth, dentists perform extraction to get rid of it.

Conclusion

Always talk to your dentist if your mouth feels funny. More often than not, there is a lingering issue that needs to be taken care of.

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