Why Do My Wisdom Teeth Hurt?
Many don’t even notice the teeth behind their back molars, otherwise known as wisdom teeth. However, sensitivity, swelling, or pain behind your back molars may be a sign of wisdom tooth problems. Whether or not you see a tooth breaking through the gums, it’s important to be evaluated by our 24-hour dentist at Paramount Dental. Wisdom tooth pain can be due to an infection in the area, but the most common cause is impaction — when a tooth becomes trapped beneath the gums, often by another tooth.
What to Do Until You See the Dentist
- Rinse with warm saltwater to soothe irritation and cleanse the area.
- Apply a cold compress to the jaw near the painful tooth for 15 minutes at a time.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed.
- Call Paramount Dental at (916) 898-0003 for urgent care.
Lasting Relief Requires Treatment
Although you may be able to ease wisdom tooth discomfort, the only way to stop it is to treat the underlying issue. This requires proper diagnosis of the cause of pain, and treatment most likely will involve extraction or oral surgery to remove an impacted tooth.
Stop Wisdom Tooth Pain – Available 24/7
Wisdom tooth pain should never be ignored because it’s often a signal of a more serious problem. At Paramount Dental, we’ll perform an x-ray and exam to determine the best treatment for lasting relief. Contact us anytime to begin your path to recovery!
Schedule A Wisdom Tooth Consultation
Wisdom Tooth Pain FAQs
What causes wisdom tooth pain?
At times, a partially erupted tooth traps food/bacteria under a gum flap (pericoronitis), which causes pain. Other causes include impaction against the second molar, decay, or pressure from eruption.
Do I always need my wisdom teeth removed?
Not always. If they’re healthy, fully erupted, and easy to clean, then they may just need to be monitored. Removal is more common with wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to erupt, repeated infections, decay, or damage to nearby teeth.
Can I treat pericoronitis at home?
Yes, you can ease symptoms by doing warm saltwater rinses, gently cleaning the area, and taking OTC pain relievers as directed. It is still recommended that you get a dental evaluation to prevent repeat flare-ups.
Will antibiotics fix wisdom tooth pain?
Antibiotics can help when there are signs of spreading infection or systemic symptoms, but they’re not a stand-alone cure. Local treatment and, when indicated, extraction address the source.
What are the risks of keeping impacted wisdom teeth?
Keeping impacted wisdom teeth may cause recurrent infections, decay on the wisdom or second molar, cyst formation, and gum defects behind the second molar. We will explain the risks in greater detail at your consultation.
How is recovery after removal?
Most patients recover well with rest, gauze pressure, cold packs, and a soft diet for a few days. We’ll provide written instructions and see you for follow-up as needed.
