Wisdom teeth pain relief: 10 wisdom tooth pain remedies at home

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As you attain adulthood, all your permanent teeth have arrived, and you don’t have to undergo the discomfort and pain that accompanies the arrival of a new tooth anymore. But wisdom teeth, the third set of molars that come out in the very back of your mouth, arrive between the age of 17 and 25, and you have to go through what children experience when their new teeth arrive: tender gums, pain, and aching teeth. The wisdom teeth move up through the jawbone to break through the gum line and eventually become a part of your chewing movements.

As simple as the process sounds, your gums become inflamed and the affected area might bleed as well. And, let’s not forget the constant throbbing toothache that accompanies the wisdom teeth. While this can appear overwhelming, there are some effective wisdom teeth pain relief measures that can help you manage the pain better.

Causes of wisdom teeth pain

Since you already have all your permanent teeth, there’s a lack of space for the wisdom teeth to grow. This can cause them to grow at an unusual angle or they get stuck or don’t fully develop. In case you have impacted wisdom teeth, it makes your gums vulnerable since the teeth are not fully through. If food or bacteria get stuck in the gums, it can cause:

  • Cysts

  • Infections

  • Gum disease

You need to use the right wisdom tooth remedy to alleviate the pain and prevent any type of oral infection from occurring.1

Prevention of wisdom teeth pain

If your wisdom teeth are erupting, there are some practical measures that you can undertake that can protect your gums from being infected. You can try these effective preventive measures:

  • Practice good oral hygiene:

    Do not underestimate the power of brushing twice a day. You can try Oral-B Vitality 100 White Criss Cross Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush, which offers superior cleaning than a regular manual toothbrush. This toothbrush’s CrissCross bristles are angled at 16 degrees to attack plaque from the right angle and its 2D cleaning action makes the brush head rotate and oscillate, thereby offering better oral care than a manual toothbrush.

  • Floss regularly:

    Even if you brush twice a day, do not forget to floss. You can use Oral-B Essential Mint Dental Floss. Since brushing alone cannot remove plaque completely, you need to floss. This Oral-B’s floss’ light wax coating and its shred-resistant texture allows it to glide easily through your teeth and gums and removes tough-to-get plaque.

  • Drink plenty of water:

    You should drink plenty of water as this helps flush food and bacteria away from the teeth and gums.

  • Don’t binge on sugary foods:

    Sweet foods are known to cause tooth decay and other dental problems. They can get stuck between teeth and inside broken gums, allowing the bacteria to thrive.2

Home remedies for pain relief

There are several home remedies for wisdom tooth pain that can help you manage the pain, and keep the headaches and toothaches at bay.

  • Peppermint:

    You can soothe pain and reduce inflammation that follows wisdom tooth eruption with peppermint leaves. Soak a ball of cotton in peppermint extract and apply it to your painful gums or you can directly rub peppermint oil on your teeth. You can also use peppermint tea as a mouth rinse after it has cooled down.

  • Salt water rinse:

    Salt water rinse is one of the popular wisdom tooth pain relief home remedies, as it kills harmful bacteria and promotes healthy gums. There are instances when the eruption of wisdom teeth can create cysts or hurt other teeth in this process. So, to prevent any infection, it is advisable to keep your mouth clear of harmful bacteria by rinsing your mouth with salt water.

  • Aloe vera:

    Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties, and what’s more? It’s non-toxic in nature as well. Applying aloe vera gel to the back of the mouth can help reduce the inflammation around the wisdom teeth area and heals the gums if they have cuts or develop scratches as the teeth grow in.

  • Clove oil:

    Clove oil works as an analgesic and relieves toothache. Not only does clove help reduce pain, but it also inhibits the growth of bacteria that can put you at risk of developing an infection. All you have to do is get clove oil and massage it onto your gums, or simply boil four to six whole cloves and make clove water and use it to massage your gums.

  • Menthol:

    Menthol also works as an analgesic and you experience a cooling sensation when your skin comes in contact with it. To deal with wisdom teeth pain, you can dilute a mouthwash that contains peppermint flavour, alcohol, and menthol, and apply it directly to the affected area.

  • Turmeric:

    Turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory qualities and is analgesic in nature, which makes it an effective wisdom toothache remedy. You can either rub crushed turmeric directly into the inflamed gums or rinse your mouth with water that’s been boiled with turmeric and add two cloves to it as well.

  • Crushed garlic and ginger:

    Crushed garlic can kill pathogens that attack and infect the gum line. When you combine the properties of garlic with crushed ginger, it becomes the perfect medicine for wisdom tooth pain. Crush raw garlic into a paste-like consistency and add fresh, chopped ginger to the paste. Now apply the paste to your gums.

  • Wheatgrass:

    Wheatgrass has high chlorophyll content, which helps reduce inflammation and prevent bacteria that cause infection. It is a powerful home remedy and is commonly used to treat wisdom teeth pain.

  • Cold and heat therapy:

    Consider applying an ice pack or heating pads to your cheek to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling. When you apply heat to the affected area, it can promote healing by increasing blood flow and relieving tension.

  • Oregano oil:

    Oregano oil is a powerful healer and prevents infection by killing bacteria. Moreover, it can reduce pain and inflammation owing to one of its active components, known as carvacrol. Since oregano oil is quite potent, it is advisable to dilute it with a carrier oil. Use your finger or a cotton ball and apply the oil to the aching tooth or gums.3

Wisdom tooth pain can interfere with your everyday activities. Do not take it lightly as the pain can aggravate if not tended to immediately. You can try these effective wisdom teeth pain relief measures as they alleviate the pain and inflammation. However, these measures are temporary and it’s advisable that you consult your dentist at the earliest.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Does wisdom teeth usually hurt?

    People usually remove their wisdom teeth since they cause overcrowding. However, wisdom teeth don’t usually hurt, unless there’s something wrong with it. If the wisdom teeth are impacted or they are shifting other teeth, it can cause a great deal of discomfort and pain.

  2. What are the signs that wisdom teeth are causing pain?

    If you experience jaw pain, foul smell and unpleasant taste in the mouth, red and swollen gums, recurring sore throat, swollen jaw, cheeks, and lymph nodes, it indicates that there is something wrong with the wisdom teeth.

  3. How long does the pain last after wisdom teeth extraction?

    If you opt for wisdom teeth extraction, the pain typically lasts from two to seven days. You can get back to your regular routines in just two to three days. Your dentist or oral surgeon will recommend some aftercare measures to reduce pain post-extraction.