Pain in the gum in the wisdom tooth area

Dentists are increasingly being approached with complaints of severe pain, the localization of which is not always clearly defined. It is necessary to conduct complex diagnostics, to find the source of pain. As practice shows, at present, the most common complaints, in addition to caries, are pain in the gums and wisdom teeth. Moreover, these phenomena are closely interconnected and are mutually conditioned.

Causes wisdom tooth gum pain

In the dentist's office, you often hear the question: why does the gum hurt when there is a wisdom tooth? It turns out that a wisdom tooth is a tooth whose eruption begins at a fairly late period - after 18-20 years. During this period, the gum thickens, and it is quite difficult to cut through it. Much more difficult than it would be during the period when all the main teeth are cutting through. In addition, at this time, the gum already contains a large number of receptors, the irritation of which causes severe pain. Teething, even in childhood, is known to be an extremely painful event.

Gums hurt after wisdom tooth removal

It is a molar tooth, the roots of which go quite deep into the gum. Blood vessels and nerves are adjacent to the soft tissue of the tooth. Any removal entails trauma to the soft tissues, their mechanical damage. In fact, removal is a mini-operation, which naturally requires time for further recovery. In the first days after the removal of the wisdom tooth, the gum will hurt, and this is quite predictable and expected. The pain will last until the wound surface is completely healed.

When blood vessels and nerves are injured, swelling and inflammation develop, the pain increases. As in any postoperative period, postoperative care and further rehabilitation treatment are required. It is necessary to strictly follow the dentist's recommendations. In case of severe pain, you can use painkillers or special anti-inflammatory ointments (consult your dentist before using). Usually, the gums do not hurt for long, with a simple, uncomplicated tooth extraction.

How long does gum pain last after wisdom tooth removal?

It depends on the extent of the damage, what tissues were affected, how deep the damage penetrated. The doctor also evaluates how damaged the tissues and the circulatory system are. Therefore, only the doctor who performed the removal can answer the question of how long the gums will hurt after the removal of a wisdom tooth.

The duration of the recovery period is not the same and is determined strictly individually. Therefore, it is impossible to answer this question in general terms. But if we talk about approximate time frames, we can highlight average values - from 2 to 14 days. But there were also cases in which the pain went away a few hours after tooth extraction. There were also cases when the gum continued to hurt for a month or more. If you follow the doctor's recommendations, the recovery period can be reduced to a minimum.

Risk factors

The risk group includes people aged 18 to 15 years, since this is the period when wisdom teeth are most likely to erupt. This is due to the peculiarities of neuroregulatory mechanisms and the peculiarities of the hormonal background. Risk factors also include immune deficiency, various previous inflammatory, infectious, viral, autoimmune, allergic pathologies, especially if they affect the oral cavity and nasopharynx. The risk of developing pain during wisdom tooth eruption increases with increased sensitivity of teeth, gums, and concomitant diseases of the oral cavity - gingivitis, stomatitis, caries. The situation is aggravated by dysbacteriosis, disruption of the normal microbiocenosis of the oral cavity, respiratory tract, and digestive tract. Improper nutrition, vitamin deficiency, recent antibiotic therapy, concomitant pathologies, and chronic diseases also significantly aggravate the situation.

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis is based on the violation of the integrity of the gum, tissue damage, and increased sensitivity of the gum. This is due to the fact that teething is accompanied by the synthesis of immunoglobulins, local antibodies, and inflammation mediators. Concomitant swelling of soft tissues and an inflammatory process may develop, which significantly increases pain. Involvement of neuroregulatory mechanisms in the pathological process aggravates the situation.

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Epidemiology

According to statistics, in about 80% of cases, wisdom tooth eruption is accompanied by gum pain, the severity of which can vary widely - from mild, moderate to quite intense, severe. In about 35% of cases, there is a need to remove wisdom tooth itch or cut the gum. In this case, in almost 100% of cases, the process is accompanied by pain (due to the fact that the intervention is accompanied by tissue damage). In about 5% of people, the pain goes away within 1-2 days and does not require painkillers. In 15-20% of cases, the pain lasts about 3-5 days and requires painkillers. In 60% of people, pain persists for up to a week and is quite easily relieved by painkillers, analgesics. The remaining 11% develop complications or prolonged pain syndrome, which requires additional treatment, taking analgesics. [ 2 ]

Symptoms

The main symptom is a cutting, sharp pain in the corners of the mouth, where the last tooth is located (beyond it). The pain can also be dull, aching. It periodically intensifies. As a rule, intensification occurs closer to the evening, at night. If such pain continues for several days, inflammation may develop, which is expressed by hyperemia (redness) of the gum. The process can also be accompanied by swelling, the formation of exudate (serous, less often - purulent).

The first sign indicating the development of pain is discomfort, burning in the gum area, its redness or compaction. When biting on this side, or when touching, the pain intensifies. Increased sensitivity of the gums and teeth is also noted. A reaction to cold food and sweets is noted. [ 3 ]

Wisdom tooth hurts and gums are swollen

This is due to the fact that an adult's gum tissue is denser than a child's, and it will be much more difficult to cut through the gum. Often, an erupting wisdom tooth hurts and the gum swells. This is due to the fact that the tooth damages not only the surrounding tissues, but also damages blood vessels and nerves. In order to reduce pain, it is recommended to use local ointments and painkillers. Painkillers have also proven themselves well. Herbal decoctions, which are used mainly for rinsing the mouth, will help reduce swelling and inflammation. For example: pour cold water over the following components: buckthorn fruits, medicinal burnet roots, stinging nettle leaves, erect cinquefoil rhizomes, burdock roots. Put on low heat or a water bath. Remove without bringing to a boil. Infuse for 1-2 hours, use for rinsing. You can drink 50 ml per day.

My gum hurts where my wisdom tooth is

When the gum hurts where the wisdom tooth is cutting, it is better not to tolerate the pain, and especially not to self-medicate. It is better to see a dentist. He will look and evaluate. Whether the tooth is cutting correctly. If everything is in order, the doctor can advise how to properly care for the oral cavity at this time. Ointments, special creams may be needed that will soften the gum, help reduce pain, eliminate the inflammatory process and prevent the development of infection. Sometimes the tooth is cut incorrectly, and surgical intervention may be required (for example, the gum is cut). If the tooth is sick, it is almost never treated, since it is difficult and ineffective. It is recommended to remove such a tooth.

Diagnostics wisdom tooth gum pain

To make a diagnosis, you need to see a dentist. He will examine the oral cavity, assess the condition of the tooth and gum. If necessary, additional research methods may be prescribed. Tests are not prescribed. Instrumental research methods can be informative. Most often, an X-ray of the tooth / gum, a tomogram are used. Differential diagnostics may be required, since pain and swelling of the gum can be a sign of many dental diseases.

Using special dental instruments, the oral cavity is examined, the condition of the teeth and gums is assessed. Methods such as X-ray examination, MRI and CT can also be used, which allow the pathology to be visualized. [ 4 ]

Differential diagnosis

The main methods of differential diagnostics are X-ray, CT and MRI. X-ray allows to evaluate the condition of dentin, bone and cartilage tissue, as well as to visualize pathologies affecting all hard tissues. CT and MRI allow to evaluate the condition of soft tissues and gums.

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Treatment wisdom tooth gum pain

Treatment is reduced to stopping the inflammatory process, relieving pain and swelling. Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs are used for this. That is, drug therapy prevails. Surgical methods are resorted to only if complications develop.

• What to do if your gums hurt when your wisdom tooth is growing?

It is better not to self-medicate, as you can miss a serious pathology that requires, for example, surgical intervention. At first glance, it may seem that to relieve pain, it is enough to take a painkiller, rinse your mouth. But this will not solve the problem, but only temporarily alleviate the condition. Moreover, the pill can mask the symptoms, and as a result, you will get numerous complications. Therefore, do not engage in self-medication, but at the first opportunity, consult a doctor. [ 7 ]

Medicines

When using any medications, you must strictly observe all precautions and follow the doctor's recommendations. This is especially important in dentistry. This is due to the fact that with improper treatment, a number of complications may develop. When the inflammatory process disseminates, the entire oral cavity is involved in the pathological process, the pathology along the gum quickly spreads to all other teeth, moreover, to neighboring structures - the nasal cavity, lymph nodes. The greatest danger is that an infection, pus, develops very quickly, which, due to the proximity of the location, very quickly migrates to the vestibular apparatus, inner ear, brain. So, let's understand the main precaution - before using any medicine, even the most harmless, consult a doctor. This will avoid all the complications listed above. Below we will consider the drugs that a doctor can prescribe, or which you can take on your own if emergency help is required, but there is no way to see a doctor.

One of the main ways to relieve pain is to take painkillers. [ 8 ]

The simplest drug is analgin. It is recommended to take one tablet 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 7-10 days, depending on the severity of the pain. Precautionary measure - it cannot be taken by people with a tendency to bleeding, with hemophilia (it thins the blood). For the same reason, it cannot be taken by people in the postoperative period, with bleeding gums, and by women during menstruation.

Spazmolgon is prescribed one tablet once a day for 10 days. It is not recommended to take it longer, as it can cause addiction. Less is also not recommended.

In case of severe, unbearable pain, you can take ketolorac. This is one of the most powerful painkillers that is guaranteed to relieve pain of any genesis. It is prescribed in postoperative periods, in severe conditions. It is recommended to take no more than 1-2 tablets per day. In many pharmacies it is sold only by prescription.

If swelling occurs, the gums are swollen, you need to take an antihistamine - suprastin. It is recommended to take one tablet 1-2 times a day. A course of treatment for 7 days is recommended.

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Vitamins

Vitamins are taken only if the risk of developing a bacterial infection is excluded, and if there is no pus. If there is an infection and pus, vitamins will only cause harm, since they will act as growth factors for bacteria, and the infection process will intensify. If such a risk is excluded, it is recommended to take the following vitamins:

• Vitamin PP – 60 mg
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 2-3 mg
• Vitamin B 2 – riboflavin – 2-3 mg
• Vitamin B 9 (folic acid) – 0.5-1 mg
• Vitamin A (retinol) – 240 mg
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) – 45 mg
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – 1000 mg (double dosage).

Physiotherapy treatment

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe some physiotherapy methods. But often there is no need for them. However, the following physiotherapy methods are used in dentistry:

• ultrasound treatment,
• microcurrent treatment,
• therapy with waves of different lengths,
• electrophoresis,
• thermal procedures,
• electrical procedures.

Folk remedies

To relieve pain and ease teething, various folk remedies are used. [ 10 ]

• Recipe No. 1.

Add some parsley seeds to regular alcohol (500 ml) and let it brew. Add parsley hydrolyzate (no more than 2-3 ml). Drink to ease the condition, relieve inflammation, and soften the gums.

• Recipe No. 2.

To prepare, take a pinch of ground leaves and flowers of fragrant chamomile. All this is infused for at least 3-4 days, drink 4 times a day. Accelerates the process of teething, relieves pain.

• Recipe No. 3.

Take equal parts of blue polemonium flowers and roots, pour 500 ml of alcohol. Drink a third of a glass per day. Prevents the risk of infection, inflammation, relieves pain.

• Recipe No. 4.

Vodka or pure alcohol is used as a base. Then the following components are added: aloe juice, burdock oil. Mix, then set aside and allow to brew. Drink 4 times a day to relieve pain. Apply as a compress when a seal or abscess forms.

Herbal treatment

Treatment of gum pain with herbs is quite effective and safe.

• Recipe No. 1.

Mix equal parts of flowers and leaves of common chamomile, pour boiling water (200-250 ml), leave for at least an hour, use to rinse the throat and mouth during the day. You can add honey or sugar to taste and drink. Relieves inflammation, pain. Prevents the development of infection, alleviates the condition in general.

• Recipe No. 2.

Chicory roots and flowers, previously ground in a coffee grinder, are brewed like tea. Use as a rinse throughout the day in unlimited quantities. You can drink it in moderation, adding sugar and honey to taste.

• Recipe No. 3.

Take a tablespoon of blueberry leaves, fruits and bark, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for about 30 minutes. Gargle, rinse the throat, mouth, wash the nasopharynx.

Homeopathy

Taking homeopathy requires strict adherence to precautions - strict adherence to the treatment regimen and dosage. Failure to comply leads to side effects - poisoning, heart and kidney dysfunction.

• Recipe No. 1.

Take a little valerian. After the decoction boils, boil for about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat, cool to warm. Rinse the throat, mouth during the day. Relieves pain, inflammation, prevents the development of infection.

• Recipe No. 2.

To prepare, take raspberries and viburnum berries. All this is infused in sugar syrup for at least 3-4 days, drink 4 times a day.

• Recipe No. 3.

Take equal parts of comfrey rhizomes and stems, pour 500 ml of alcohol. Drink when pain occurs.

• Recipe No. 4.

Vodka or pure alcohol is used as a base. Then the following components are added: horsetail cones, dried apricots, prunes. Mix, then set aside and allow to brew. Drink 4 times a day to relieve pain.

• Recipe No. 5.

Add a tablespoon of anise, coriander, hogweed, and gill to regular alcohol (500 ml). Drink a tablespoon twice a day.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment methods are used in cases where complications arise, or if the pathological process affects nerves, vessels, soft tissues, if there is a risk of developing inflammatory, infectious, purulent-septic processes, or in the development of necrosis. If the tooth cannot cut through the gum, it is cut. Sometimes there is a need to remove the tooth. [ 11 ]

Complications and consequences

One of the most dangerous effects is the development of edema, increased inflammation, and infection. The danger is that the infection and inflammation spread quite quickly, progress, and more and more tissues are involved. The development of the infectious process can be accompanied by the formation of pus, which accumulates in the form of a flux. It can break through, causing the infection to migrate to other tissues and cause inflammation, including in the oral cavity and nasopharynx. It becomes one of the common causes of caries, gingivitis, and pericoronitis. [ 12 ]

When an infection gets into the lymph nodes and respiratory tract, lymphadenitis, tonsillitis, and inflammatory infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract develop. Teeth and gums are one of the most powerful sources of infection, which is very difficult to get rid of. When an infection gets into the ear through the Eustachian tube, inflammatory processes in the ear develop: otitis, tubootitis. The most dangerous condition is considered to be the infection getting into the brain, which can cause meningitis and other inflammatory processes in the brain. [ 13 ]

Prevention

Prevention is based on eliminating all possible risk factors. In addition, it is necessary to take vitamins, mineral components, and eat properly. It is important to undergo regular preventive examinations at the dentist, and, if necessary, to undergo timely treatment. Preventive removal of asymptomatic, uninfected wisdom teeth is possible. [ 14 ]

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Forecast

The course and prognosis depend on the timeliness of diagnosis and treatment. Pain in the gum and wisdom tooth always develop together. If you follow all the doctor's recommendations, you can significantly reduce the pain and prevent complications.

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