Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to spring up in a human mouth. These grow at the backmost part of the gumline of both upper and lower jaw. Erupting wisdom teeth are notorious for bringing severe pain if it becomes impacted, and a dentist may eventually recommend for a wisdom tooth removal.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Hurt
Wisdom teeth are also known as the third or last set of molars. They are called this because they only grow or appear as people gain wisdom, more specifically when people reach their late teenage years up to mid-20s. In some cases, it is also possible that they come up at a much later age.
An adult’s mouth normally contains 28 teeth. With the growth of wisdom teeth, the number rises to 32.
However, some people don’t develop all four. There are cases when a person’s wisdom teeth don’t grow at all. In some instances, a person may even have more than four wisdom teeth.
Is it Normal to Feel Pain?
Normally, a person will experience a little discomfort when a wisdom tooth starts to grow. However, severe pain comes at the back part of the mouth when the teeth become impacted. This means that they can’t grow normally or erupt completely.
For some, the pain is constant and may last for a few days. For others, the pain only appears when they are drinking or eating. Nonetheless, all situations lead to severe discomfort to the affected person.
Temporary Pain Relief for Toothache
If your teeth hurt, here are some common remedies to get temporary pain relief before visiting a dentist.
- Put an ice pack on the outside part of the cheek for a few minutes. This will help numb the pain or reduce any swelling.
- Rinse with a combination of salt and water. Just dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a warm glass of water to help fight off bacteria.
- Take an OTC pain reliever for temporary relief
While it is normal to feel pain when a wisdom tooth is erupting, there may be other more serious reasons behind. Thus, it is always best to see your dentist and have your teeth checked for possible dental problems.
Removal of Wisdom Tooth
When you visit a dentist to consult about your wisdom teeth, expect to undergo the following procedures:
Diagnosis
A dentist will examine the teeth and analyze X-ray results to confirm if wisdom teeth are indeed growing. An experienced dentist can easily tell if the teeth are impacted and why.
One of the most common reasons why teeth become impacted is because there is not enough room or space for them to grow. As a result, the teeth are trapped in between the jaws and gumline. Other times, the growing teeth push and damage its neighbours, resulting in misaligned, angled, or crooked teeth.
Sometimes, a person experiences pain because of a cyst, a tumour, gum disease, or tooth cavities. All of these conditions can be properly identified by your dentist during the oral exam.
Tooth Extraction
First, keep in mind that not all of your wisdom teeth may need to be extracted. Second, since wisdom teeth are located at the far back, a surgical dental extraction may be necessary.
An oral surgeon will perform the surgery and the patient will be put under anesthesia. This will lessen the discomfort and pain associated with the procedure.
The process is generally safe and may be over in an hour and a half. However, the length of the procedure varies depending on the complexity of the situation. Most patients can leave the clinic and go home on the same day.
Healing and Recovery
After surgery, expect that there will still be discomfort due to pain and swelling. On the first day, minimal bleeding is normal. Make sure you take the medication prescribed by your dentist.
For faster healing, it will be best to avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine. Smoking, brushing and flossing are also prohibited.
Full recovery can be as early as three days, although it may take up to a full week for most patients to function normally as before.
Benefits of Going to The Dentist
Toothache remedies at home can only give temporary results. A knowledgeable dentist can pinpoint the root cause of your toothache and thus, will be able to give a permanent solution to your dental problem.
By going to a reputable dental clinic like Brite Dental, you can be sure that the wisdom tooth removal process will be smooth, safe, and with minimal discomfort. Skilled dentists with the right tools can properly take care of your dental needs, avoiding further complications in the future.
Contact Brite Dental
To know more details about Brite Dental’s wisdom tooth removal services, contact us and book an appointment online. We have a number of affordable payment plan options available.
