Wisdom Tooth Pain: Causes, Home Treatment, And Prevention

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWays to relieve painful wisdom teeth

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Lana Burgess — Updated on July 22, 2024

Symptoms
Causes
Home remedies
Medical treatments
Removal
Prevention
FAQ
Summary

Home remedies, such as an ice pack and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, can help relieve wisdom tooth pain. However, a person may need to have their wisdom teeth removed.

There are four wisdom teeth in total, one in each of the furthest corners of the top and bottom gums. Wisdom teeth can cause painful, aching gums.

Pain in the wisdom teeth may resolve on its own, but in some cases, it will need either active home management or treatment in a hospital or dental surgery.

Symptoms of wisdom tooth pain

Wisdom teeth can cause mild pain and discomfort as they emerge through the gums. They can also make it harder to floss.

If the wisdom teeth come through in the wrong position or there is not enough room for them to grow, people may also experience the following:

pain, swelling, or stiffness in the jaw
swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
difficulty opening the mouth or chewing
bad breath

What causes wisdom teeth pain?

Wisdom teeth typically push through the gums when a person is between the ages of 17 and 21. The sensation of a tooth pushing through the gums can be painful.

In addition, there is often no room for the wisdom teeth in a person’s mouth. This lack of space may cause wisdom teeth to come through at an angle or to get stuck and not come through fully.

Doctors call this impacted wisdom teeth. It leaves the gums vulnerable as the surface breaks, but the teeth do not fully come through. Food and bacteria can get trapped in the gums and lead to the following issues:

gum disease
infections
abscesses
cysts

Home remedies for wisdom teeth pain

Impacted wisdom teeth may cause pain and tenderness. Removing the wisdom teeth can help resolve these symptoms. However, the following five home remedies may also ease discomfort:

1. Ice pack

Applying an ice pack to the jaw can help reduce inflammation, which in turn may relieve pain. Using ice can also have a numbing effect.

A person can try holding an ice pack with a tea towel around it against their jaw for up to 15 minutes. They can apply it off and on with 15-minute breaks until the pain goes away.

2. Saltwater rinse

Saltwater has natural disinfectant properties. A 2017 study showed that rinsing the mouth with salt water can help reduce bacteria.

A buildup of bacteria can lead to tooth decay, which can cause pain. Rinsing with salt water may help to prevent this.

To make the saltwater rinse, dissolve a few tablespoons of salt into a glass of freshly boiled water. When the water cools, swirl it around the mouth for several minutes, then spit it out.

A person may want to rinse their mouth with salt water two or three times a day.

3. Cloves

Some research suggests that cloves show some promise as a topical pain reliever due to their numbing effect.

To try this home remedy, a person can use a whole clove or clove oil. If using a whole clove, they should:

place the clove over the wisdom tooth that is causing pain
hold it in place by closing their jaw, but without chewing
leave it there until the pain reduces, and then spit it out

To try this remedy using clove oil, a person can:

put a few drops of clove oil on a ball of cotton wool
put the cotton wool on the wisdom tooth that is causing pain
hold the cotton wool in place until the pain reduces, and then remove it

4. Onion

A 2021 study suggests onions have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These properties may help reduce swelling and fight bacterial infections.

To use onions as a home remedy, a person can:

cut off a piece of onion
chew the onion on the side of the mouth that has the pain
keep chewing for a few minutes until the pain reduces, and then spit out the onion

This process allows the juice from the onion to go into the gum to reduce inflammation and bacteria.

5. Teabags

A 2022 review highlights that tannins in certain types of tea, such as green tea, have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Tea bags may help reduce swelling and fight bacterial infections.

To use tea bags as a home remedy, a person should make a cup of tea and put the cup in the fridge with the teabag left in it. People should not add milk, cream, or sugar to the tea.

Once the tea is cold, place the teabag in the mouth at the site of the pain.

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Medical treatments for wisdom tooth pain

Several medical treatments can also help relieve pain from an impacted wisdom tooth, including some over-the-counter options.

1. Numbing gel

A numbing dental gel may help reduce feeling in the gums and dull the pain. These gels are available over the counter or online and contain the active ingredient benzocaine.

People can apply most dental gels to the affected gums throughout the day. However, it is important for a person to follow the instructions included in the product.

It is also possible to be allergic to benzocaine. People should speak with a doctor if they experience any concerning symptoms.

2. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen (Advil) is an OTC pain relief medication and a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Taking the recommended dose on the packet may help relieve discomfort. It can also reduce inflammation of the gums associated with wisdom teeth development.

Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs, such as aspirin (Acuprin), may be effective pain management until a person can see a dentist for treatment.

3. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that involves inserting thin needles into the body.

Some research suggests that acupuncture may be useful for relieving acute dental pain.

According to one 2019 randomized trial, acupuncture was more effective at reducing the intensity of dental pain compared to a control group.

Wisdom teeth removal

Sometimes, home remedies may not relieve the pain of an impacted wisdom tooth.

A dentist or dental surgeon can remove a wisdom tooth in dental surgery. The doctor injects a local anesthetic into the affected area to numb the pain of surgery. The practitioner then applies pressure to the tooth to loosen it from its socket.

The doctor makes small cuts around the tooth and may cut the wisdom tooth into smaller pieces before removing it. The procedure usually takes only a few minutes but can last up to 40 minutes.

Pain and swelling after wisdom teeth removal may last up to two weeks.

Learn more about wisdom tooth surgery recovery.

Preventing wisdom teeth pain

Wisdom teeth are harder than other teeth, which may make them more likely to get cavities.

When a person’s wisdom teeth are coming through, they can try the following steps to prevent a gum infection:

Practice good oral hygiene: Brushing teeth twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash can help reduce the bacteria in the mouth that cause infections.
Drink plenty of water: This helps to flush food and bacteria away from the teeth and gums.
Reduce sugar intake: There may be an association between sweet, sugar food intake and cavities.
See a dentist: Attending regular check-ups with a dentist can help a person maintain good oral hygiene.

Learn tips to look after teeth and gums.

Frequently asked questions

How long does wisdom teeth pain last?

The duration of wisdom teeth pain may depend on whether there is space for them in the mouth and whether any complications occur. Pain due to an impacted wisdom tooth may persist until a dentist removes the tooth.

However, a healthcare professional can suggest medications and home remedies, to relieve the pain.

Is a painful wisdom tooth an emergency?

In some cases, wisdom tooth pain may resolve on its own over time without any treatment.

However, a healthcare professional may recommend dental surgery if the pain is severe or if the wisdom teeth cause issues like infection, cysts, tooth decay, or damage to neighboring teeth.

What does wisdom tooth pain feel like?

Wisdom teeth can cause pain in the jaw or gums as they emerge. They can also increase the risk of infections by enabling bacteria to enter the gums, which can cause gum pain and swelling or stiffness in the jaw.

Summary

Home remedies, such as salt water or an ice pack, may help to relieve wisdom teeth pain in the short term. A doctor may also suggest OTC medication, such as ibuprofen.

When wisdom teeth become impacted, a dentist may advise removing them to provide long-term relief.

People should maintain good oral hygiene when wisdom teeth come through to reduce the risk of complications, such as infection or tooth decay.

Read the article in Spanish.

Dentistry
Pain / Anesthetics
Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Aravinth V, et al. (2017). Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: A school-based randomized controlled trial.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28914244/
Batiha GE-SSyzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional uses, bioactive chemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicological activities.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7072209/
Compound summary: Ibuprofen. (2024).https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ibuprofen
de Matos NMP, et al. (2019). Evaluating the effects of acupuncture using a dental pain model in healthy subjects – a randomized, cross-over trial.https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(19)30795-3/fulltext
Fernandes IA, et al. (2019). The effectiveness of the cold therapy (cryotherapy) in the management of inflammatory parameters after removal of mandibular third molars: A meta-analysis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6449133/
Home oral care. (2024).https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/home-care/
Kováč J, et al. (2022). Therapeutic potential of flavonoids and tannins in management of oral infectious diseases—a review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9821998/
Marefati N, et al. (2021). A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7919894/
Nielsen A, et al. (2022). Acupuncture therapy as an evidence-based nonpharmacologic strategy for comprehensive acute pain care: The academic consortium pain task force white paper update.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9434305/
Singh R, et al. (2024). Benzocaine.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541053/
Tooth decay. (2024).https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay
Wisdom teeth. (n.d.).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/wisdom-teeth/
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Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Lana Burgess — Updated on July 22, 2024

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