It's normal to feel some discomfort when a wisdom tooth comes through, but pain can also be a sign of a serious problem.
If you have wisdom tooth pain, it's important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. They will examine your mouth and discuss your options for relieving the pain and lowering your risks.
Dentists Dr Aiden and Dr Christine at Swish Dental have extensive experience treating wisdom teeth problems. Book a consultation today at your nearest clinic in Mitchelton or Everton Park.
What causes wisdom tooth pain?
All teeth can cause some soreness or swelling when they erupt, and wisdom teeth pain is not always a sign of a problem. However, as the last teeth to develop in the mouth, wisdom teeth are more prone to problems than other teeth, and pain is a common symptom.
Reasons for wisdom tooth pain can include:
- Impaction: If there isn't space for a wisdom tooth in your jaw, it may remain stuck in the gum (impacted). This can cause pain, swelling and other problems.
- Infection: An impacted wisdom tooth may lead to a bacterial infection or cyst forming in the gum. These may cause pain and permanent damage, including tooth loss.
- Crowding: Wisdom teeth may put pressure on the surrounding teeth. Over time, this may lead to them going crooked, which may affect your ability to eat.
- Tooth decay or gum disease: Wisdom teeth can often be hard to brush and floss. This can allow bacteria and plaque to build up, leading to cavities or gum disease.
How can I relieve wisdom tooth pain?
If your dentist determines that you don't have a wisdom tooth problem, they can recommend ways to manage your pain and other symptoms until the tooth has come through. These may include:
- over-the-counter painkillers, anti-inflammatory medication or numbing gel prescribed by your dentist
- rinsing your mouth with warm salt water
- using an ice pack or cold compress
If your wisdom tooth pain is related to an underlying problem, wisdom tooth removal is usually recommended. Dentists may sometimes recommend removing wisdom teeth early as a preventive measure, if they are likely to cause problems later.
Is wisdom teeth removal painful?
Wisdom tooth removal is performed under local anaesthesia, so you won't feel pain during the procedure. Your dentist can also discuss other types of sedation if you're having a more complex procedure, having multiple wisdom teeth removed, or if you feel anxiety about dental treatments.
You may experience pain or swelling for a few days or up to a week after a wisdom tooth is removed. This can usually be managed by following normal pain relief methods. If you feel pain for longer, or you have other symptoms of a problem, you should contact your dentist.
Talk to a dentist about wisdom teeth
If you're worried about your wisdom teeth, make an appointment at Swish Dental so our experienced dentists in Brisbane can examine your mouth and discuss whether wisdom tooth removal or another option could help you.
Call our dentists in Everton Park on (07) 3355 1422 or our Mitchelton practice on (07) 3354 3341 or book online.