Wisdom Teeth Pain: Why It Happens and When You Should See a Dentist

That dull ache at the very back of your mouth can be surprisingly distracting. You may feel the pressure in your jaw, or suddenly find it uncomfortable to open your mouth fully. Then you realise that your wisdom tooth is causing the pain.

Wisdom teeth come through without causing any trouble, but when there’s too little room for them to grow properly, things are going to get worse.

Pain is temporary, but persistent and worsening discomfort should be treated instead of waiting for it to go away.

What Does Wisdom Teeth Pain Feel Like?

Wisdom tooth pain is not universal for all people.

You might feel:

A dull or throbbing pain in the back of your mouth.
Pain when chewing.
Tender or swollen gums around the tooth.
Jaw soreness or stiffness.
Sensitivity around the affected tooth.
Bad taste or bad breath.
Difficulty opening your mouth.
Pain that seems to spread toward your jaw, ear, or head.

Tooth pain can sometimes be felt in nearby areas, so it’s not always clear that the wisdom tooth is the cause.

A dental examination can help to find the true cause.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Hurt?

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to emerge.

Sometimes they have enough room to come through normally. In other cases, they are partially trapped or grow in such a way that it is hard to clean.

This can cause problems such as:

1. Does my policy cover orthodontics?

An impacted wisdom tooth does not fully come out of the mouth.

It may still be partially or completely covered by gum or bone.

And if the tooth can’t pass through normally, it can cause pressure and discomfort, and the surrounding area is not clean.

2. Gum Inflammation or Infection

If only part of a wisdom tooth is present, food and bacteria can build up around the gum.

This can cause inflammation and infection.

Repeated infections around a wisdom tooth are one reason a dentist will recommend removal.

3. Not Enough Space

Sometimes the jaw doesn’t leave sufficient space for the wisdom tooth to grow into a healthy position.

It might press against another tooth or grow at an unusual angle.

4. Tooth Decay

Wisdom teeth can be particularly difficult to brush and floss around.

Their position at the very back of the mouth can make proper cleaning difficult, and they are the most likely to decay.

Can You Relieve Wisdom Teeth Pain at Home?

If you have a dental appointment and you are waiting for it, there are a few things you can do to alleviate pain and to avoid it when you eat and chew on the other side.

Keep the area clean.
If there is swelling on the outside of your cheek, use a cold compress.
Go to a pharmacist or healthcare professional for pain relief medicines.
Warm salt water rinsing may help to minimize some of the mild symptoms of dental pain.

But those are not solutions to the underlying issue.

If the tooth is impacted, infected, or persistent in causing problems, it is important to receive professional help.

When Should You See a Dentist for Wisdom Teeth Pain?

A common mistake is to wait until we know we are in pain.

If it hurts for more than a couple of days, the pain returns and does not subside or doesn’t improve with the appropriate pain relief, we should set up a dental appointment.

You should seek urgent dental care if you also have:

Swelling around the cheek or jaw.
Fever.
Pain when biting.
A bad taste in your mouth.
Significant gum swelling.
Difficulty swallowing.

This would be evidence of infection and should not be missed.

If swelling causes neck or eye issues and you have difficulty breathing or speaking, seek immediate medical attention.

Does Every Painful Wisdom Tooth Need to Be Removed?

Not necessarily; a dentist will take into account the position of the tooth, whether it is causing a long-term problem, and what an examination or dental X-ray shows.

Wisdom teeth may be recommended for removal if they are associated with chronic or serious infection, decay, damage to the surrounding tissues, poor oral hygiene, cysts, or other dental problems.

It is worth noting that wisdom teeth removal is not the answer for every case of wisdom teeth pain.

An individual assessment is necessary to determine the appropriate treatment.

What Happens During a Wisdom Teeth Assessment?

Your dentist usually looks at the painful area and asks about your symptoms.

A dental X-ray can be performed to determine where the wisdom tooth and other structures are situated.

From there, your dentist can tell you if you can monitor the tooth for improvement, whether the surrounding gum needs to be treated, or whether removal should be considered.

Early diagnosis can also help you to understand why the pain is happening, rather than having to deal with the pain all the time at home.

Don't Let Wisdom Teeth Pain Keep Coming Back

A sore wisdom tooth can turn a normal meal into an uncomfortable one—so if the pain keeps coming back, you should know why.

Talk to a dentist in Parramatta for wisdom teeth pain in Parramatta to have an examination and to be treated and get personalised care. If your tooth needs monitoring or treatment, knowing what is going on can help you.

Need help with wisdom teeth pain? Contact us today. We are a trusted dentist in Parramatta and can assess your symptoms and discuss suitable dental care options based on your individual needs.