Wisdom teeth are typically the final teeth to pop up, and they’re also the most common to need removal in teens and young adults. Anyone who has experienced wisdom teeth pain can tell you that it can be absolutely excruciating at times. Not only do the wisdom teeth hurt, but the teeth around them can also experience severe pain as they are crowded by the improperly growing teeth. In situations like these, the wisdom teeth coming in will need to be removed through surgery.
Unfortunately, immediate removal is not always possible. Sometimes, a patient is not able to get into the office for several days or weeks for a variety of different reasons. However, the pain is still there, and the need for relief is real. What can you do?
1. Salt water rinse
This should be the first line of defense for wisdom teeth coming in incorrectly. There’s two reasons for this. First, the warm water will provide comfort to the aches and pains your mouth is experiencing. Second, the salt water is a natural antiseptic, and it will help keep the possibility of infected gums at bay.
Warm some water using your microwave, then add a heaping teaspoon of salt to the water. Next, mix and swish the solution in your mouth for about a minute. Remember, you’re not gargling like your throat hurts, you’re swishing the water in the front of your mouth to relieve the pain. You can do this as many times as you need when you experience wisdom teeth pain.
2. Apply ice
Warm salt water not giving you the relief you want? Consider trying the “polar” opposite and apply ice to the side of the face where the wisdom teeth are coming in. You can use an ice pack or simply put some ice inside of a zip top bag. If your skin gets too cold and uncomfortable from the ice, wrap a towel around the pack.
Additionally, you can also take a small ice cube or ice chips and suck on them as well. Make sure you don’t chew on the ice though, because this will cause more pain. Simply suck on the ice until it melts. Repeat as necessary until you feel the pain reduce.
3. Medicated gels and ibuprofen
There are many different medicated gels on the market that are made to relieve tooth pain and discomfort. These gels are squeezed directly on the affected area and numb the gum and root for several hours. Before using a medicated gel, make sure you read the directions and warnings to ensure you are using it correctly.
If you’re needing something a bit stronger or long-lasting than a topical gel, consider taking ibuprofen. Although you won’t want to take it nonstop until your surgery, it is helpful when the pain cannot be tolerated any other way. This is especially true at night when sleeping may be difficult.
A very small amount of people react poorly to these medications. As with any medicine, monitor use to make sure there are no issues or reactions. If you have any questions, ask your dentist for more information.
4. Home remedies
There are many home remedies available that have not been extensively tested, but that people swear by. You can attempt some of these to see if they give any relief from wisdom teeth coming in. They include:
- Tea bags: Place a moist tea bag (cold, not hot!) directly on the affected area. If you are able, gently clench down on it.
- Cucumber slices: Following the same procedure, place a slice of cucumber on the ailing tooth and apply gentle pressure if possible.
- Onions: Although many will find this option odious (pun intended!), there are some who swear by this method. If possible, chew the onion slice for maximum effect.
These types of remedies can often bring some comfort, but if they don’t, you won’t suffer any negative effects from trying them out.
5. Call Your Pediatric Dentist
If none of the pain remedies above work for you, you may need to consider consulting your pediatric dentist. Your dentist can provide you with prescription pain relief, often in the form of a topical gel that is easily applied directly to the mouth.
At Children’s Dentistry, we want to help you get the relief you need. Visit any one of our locations in the Las Vegas metro area. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. One of our friendly team members will get back to you quickly and answer all of your questions.