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Wisdom tooth pain
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
These teeth are located at the last places of the dental row, usually appear between twenty and twenty-five years, in some cases - much later. Pain in the wisdom tooth is most often associated with the processes accompanying its eruption and growth.
In most cases, the pain is associated with inflammation of the hood located above it, as well as with the displacement of other teeth on which it exerts pressure during growth.
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What causes wisdom tooth pain?
Pericoronitis
The inflammatory process occurs because a gap forms between the wisdom tooth and the gum, into which pieces of food and microorganisms get. When inflammation occurs, pain appears in the wisdom tooth, which intensifies during chewing and swallowing food, an increase in body temperature, an increase in the lymph nodes located under the lower jaw may be observed. Swelling and hyperemia appear in the gum near the wisdom tooth, the hood of the mucous membrane of the gum may cover the erupting tooth, and purulent discharge may appear when pressing on it. In the chronic form of the disease, the inflammatory process subsides for a while, but is characterized by frequent relapses.
Rinses and anti-inflammatory gels can help temporarily relieve wisdom tooth pain. But this method can only reduce the symptoms that arise without eliminating the cause. Therefore, the main treatment should be aimed at removing the inflamed hood. This procedure lasts about five minutes and is performed exclusively by a dentist after preliminary local anesthesia.
Displacement of the dental arch
If there is not enough space for the erupting wisdom tooth, it begins to put pressure on other teeth, which leads to their displacement and the appearance of pain. In such a situation, in most cases, the wisdom tooth has to be removed to prevent a crooked bite.
Caries
The main symptoms are a painful reaction to sour or sweet foods, hot or cold food. The pain in the wisdom tooth usually subsides as soon as the irritant is removed. Caries occurs when plaque forms on the surface of the tooth, which contains many microorganisms that produce acids that destroy the tooth. The decision on the advisability of removing a diseased tooth should be made by a dentist based on an examination and X-ray examination.
Pulpitis
In case of pulpitis development, acute pain of paroxysmal character occurs. Pain in a wisdom tooth often occurs without any visible reasons, as a rule, increases at night. If the disease takes a chronic form, pain sensations become moderate, but are accompanied by aching sensations, painful reaction to external factors (cold, heat, etc.).
Periodontitis
The pain associated with this disease is usually aching in nature, localized exclusively in the wisdom tooth. Pressing on it or lightly tapping on it causes a sharp increase in pain, swelling may appear in the area of the affected tooth both internally and externally. Formation of a fistula containing pus on the gum is possible, as well as the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth. The main factor in a positive outcome of the disease is the complete cleaning of the tooth root, after which the dentist treats the affected area with an antiseptic and administers a drug, after which a temporary filling is installed. In some cases, antibacterial therapy may be prescribed. Only after the treatment has been carried out can permanent filling materials be installed on the tooth.
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How to treat wisdom tooth pain?
To relieve wisdom tooth pain, you can use the following herbal decoctions for rinsing: pour 2 tablespoons of sage into half a liter of hot boiled water, leave for 40-45 minutes, then rinse your mouth or take one tablespoon three times a day. Crushed St. John's wort leaves will also help soothe pain: pour 1 tablespoon with a glass of boiling water and leave for about an hour, then strain the resulting decoction and use as directed. Oak bark also has a good calming effect: take five tablespoons of oak bark for half a liter of boiling water, and treat the oral cavity with the resulting solution five to six times a day.
Pain in a wisdom tooth can appear under the influence of various unfavorable factors, the treatment and elimination of which should be done by a dentist. To prevent the occurrence of the above diseases, observe the norms of oral hygiene, visit the dentist at least once every five to six months.