Feeling Wisdom Tooth Pain? Here Are 5 Strategies You Can Try At Home
Don’t let wisdom tooth pain get you down.
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located in the back of your mouth. They often erupt during your late teens or early 20s, and many people end up having their wisdom teeth removed. For some, wisdom teeth can become impacted due to a lack of space in the mouth, and it can cause pain and inflammation. Others may also experience infection in the area where their wisdom teeth are located, and that can lead to the wisdom teeth needing to be removed.
At Monroe Family Dentistry in Greenville, South Carolina, we are aware of the pain wisdom teeth can cause, so we have compiled a list of five at-home strategies to try if your wisdom teeth are causing you pain.
1. Rinse with warm salt water.
If you are experiencing inflammation around the area of your wisdom teeth, you may be looking for some temporary relief before your visit to a dentist near Greenville, SC. One of things you can do is rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
To prepare the rinse, boil one cup of water that has one tablespoon of salt mixed in. Once the salt has dissolved and the water has cooled, pour it into a cup. Take a swig of the warm mixture and swish it in your mouth for a good 30 to 45 seconds, then spit the mixture out. The salt helps to clean the area naturally, which can reduce swelling and ease inflammation and pain. You can use a warm salt water rinse two to three times a day.
2. Apply a cold compress.
If you are experiencing swelling and pain due to an impacted wisdom tooth, you can use a cold compress to help relieve pain. Wrap the cold compress in a dry washcloth or towel, then apply the cold compress to the area for about 15 minutes. Take a half hour break, and if the pain persists, you can apply the cold compress for another 15 minutes.
A cold compress works to relieve pain by reducing swelling, and it also temporarily numbs the area to relieve some of the pain that impacted wisdom teeth can cause.
3. Use over-the-counter pain relief.
If you are looking for short-term wisdom tooth pain relief, there are over-the-counter options available. Your dentist may recommend using ibuprofen or acetaminophen to find temporary pain relief. Remember to follow the dosage instructions listed on the packaging and DO NOT exceed the maximum dosage in a 24 hour time span.
4. Avoid hard and sticky foods.
If you are experiencing gum pain due to impacted wisdom teeth, you will want to avoid hard and sticky foods, like candy, toffee, caramel, and anything that is tough for you to bite into. Instead, look to soft foods to consume, like soup, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. These foods require little to no chewing, so you won’t be putting any pressure on the affected areas when you are eating. You can also try smoothies or ice cream if you are experiencing gum or tooth pain.
If you find that you are having trouble consuming any food or drink, give your dentist a call to see if they can get you in soon for a dental evaluation and see what may be causing your difficulties eating and drinking.
5. Keep the area clean.
Just because your teeth and gums may be sore doesn’t mean you can’t brush them. In fact, it is important to keep the area clean and free of debris to prevent bacteria buildup. The Monroe Family Dentistry team recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush the affected area. If the area is hard to reach, you may find a water flosser can be of help to clear the area between the teeth in the affected area.
You may also want to clean the area multiple times a day instead of just brushing twice a day. If you are experiencing inflammation, consider brushing your teeth or using a warm salt water rinse after every meal or snack to help keep the area clean and clear of bacteria.
Visit Monroe Family Dentistry.
If you are experiencing wisdom tooth pain, it may be time to visit Greenville’s Monroe Family Dentistry for a dental evaluation. During this checkup, our team can assess your pain situation and see if it would be beneficial to extract, or remove, the wisdom teeth. Until you can visit us be sure to follow the at-home remedies we have listed above to help relieve some of the pain you may be feeling.
For a long-term solution, remember to give Monroe Family Dentistry a call to schedule an appointment, where our team can perform a complete dental evaluation and come up with a plan to relieve you of your wisdom tooth pain. Call us today—we want to help you with your smile!
