How to stop wisdom tooth pain

Wisdom tooth pain has a way of arriving at the worst moment. It can start as a dull ache at the back of the mouth and build into something that makes eating, sleeping and concentrating difficult. The good news is that there is usually a lot you can do to ease it, and a clear point at which it is worth getting it looked at.

This guide explains why wisdom teeth hurt, what helps at home, what to avoid, and when you should see a dentist.

Why do wisdom teeth hurt?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through, usually in your late teens or twenties. By then there is often not much room left at the back of the jaw, and that is behind most wisdom tooth pain.

The tooth is coming through

As a wisdom tooth pushes through the gum, the area can feel sore, tender and slightly swollen. This kind of discomfort often comes and goes over a few days or weeks.

The gum over the tooth is infected

When a wisdom tooth only partly comes through, a flap of gum can be left over part of it. Food and bacteria collect underneath, and the gum becomes inflamed and infected. This is called pericoronitis, and it is one of the most common causes of wisdom tooth pain. It can cause swelling, a bad taste, bad breath and difficulty opening your mouth fully.

The tooth is stuck, or pressing on its neighbour

Some wisdom teeth grow at an angle and cannot come through properly. They are described as impacted. An impacted tooth can press against the tooth in front of it and cause pain in that area as well.

Decay

Wisdom teeth are hard to reach with a toothbrush, so they are more likely to decay. Decay in a wisdom tooth, or in the tooth next to it, can cause toothache.

What helps at home

These steps can ease the pain while you arrange to be seen, or while a flare-up settles.

• Take the pain relief you would normally take. Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. Always follow the instructions on the packet, and check with a pharmacist if you are unsure what is suitable for you.
• Rinse with warm salt water. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse gently a few times a day. It helps keep the area clean and can soothe inflamed gum.
• Keep the area clean. It is tempting to avoid brushing a sore area, but food trapped around the tooth makes things worse. Brush gently, and use a soft brush if it helps.
• Use a cold compress. Holding something cold against your cheek for short periods can reduce swelling and numb the area. Wrap it in a cloth rather than putting ice straight on your skin.
• Eat soft food and chew on the other side. Give the area a rest while it is sore.

What to avoid

• Do not put tablets against your gum. Holding a painkiller, particularly aspirin, against the sore area can burn the gum and make it more painful.
• Do not ignore pain that keeps coming back. Home care can settle a flare-up, but repeated pain usually means there is an underlying problem that needs treating.
• Do not try to cut or lance the gum yourself. This risks spreading infection.

When to see a dentist

Book an appointment if:

• the pain lasts more than a few days, or keeps coming back
• there is swelling in your gum or face
• you have a bad taste or smell that will not go away
• you find it hard to open your mouth fully
• pain relief is not helping

We will examine the area, take an X-ray if needed to see the position of the tooth and its roots, and explain what is causing the pain and what can be done about it.

When it is urgent

Go to A&E or call NHS 111 if you have swelling that is spreading, affecting your eye or your breathing, difficulty swallowing, or a high temperature and you feel generally unwell. These can be signs that an infection is spreading and needs treating quickly.

If your pain is severe but you do not have these symptoms, call us and we will aim to see you as soon as possible. See our emergency dentist page for what to do in the meantime.

Does a painful wisdom tooth need to come out?

Not always. If a wisdom tooth has one episode of pain that settles, it may simply need to be kept an eye on. Removal is usually considered when a wisdom tooth keeps causing infection, is decayed and cannot be restored, is damaging the tooth next to it, or has developed a cyst.

If removal is the right option for you, we carry it out here at our Stoke Bishop practice. Read more about wisdom tooth removal, including what to expect and how recovery goes. If you are nervous, we can help with that too.

Book an appointment

If a wisdom tooth is causing you pain, call us on 0117 968 4888 or book a consultation. We will tell you honestly what is going on and what your options are.