Growing Pains: Common Causes of Wisdom Tooth Discomfort

Painful wisdom teeth aren’t exactly uncommon – many older teenagers and young adults have troublesome third molars. For the majority of the population, they seem to be a part of growing up.

Though scientists aren’t 100% sure why these often-pesky teeth try to fit into cramped mouths, what exactly causes wisdom tooth pain is crystal clear. Keep reading to learn more about this dental phenomenon and what you can do to relieve aches while you wait for your emergency dental appointment.

Why Do My Wisdom Teeth Hurt?

Growing adult teeth aren’t exactly fun, but there are a few complications that put wisdom teeth in a special category of dental discomfort. Here’s what you could be dealing with:

• Impaction. “Impacted” teeth get trapped below the gumline like a fly stuck to flypaper. This puts pressure on the surrounding area and causes irritation, particularly if the tooth can’t emerge because another pearly white was there first!
• Infection. Swelling, tenderness, and severe aches can indicate that any tooth – including your wisdom set – is infected. Impacted teeth are especially vulnerable to the bacteria that cause dental infections.
• Overcrowding. Most people’s mouths are simply too small and don’t have enough space for wisdom teeth. That doesn’t stop them from trying to erupt, though. As they try to squeeze their way in, they can push your existing teeth out of alignment, causing discomfort.
• Tooth decay. Like with infection, any tooth can start to decay if your oral hygiene is poor. Since they’re in the back of your mouth, though, wisdom teeth can be particularly difficult to clean and are more likely to develop cavities.

Basically, if you’re distracted by the aches throbbing in the very back corners of your mouth, your wisdom teeth are likely trying to tell you that something’s not quite right.

What Can I Do About Wisdom Tooth Pain?

Ultimately, you’ll want to call your emergency dentist right away so they can diagnose your tooth and provide appropriate treatment. For immediate, short-term relief, you can:

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers (just remember to tell your dentist what you took and how much!).
• Apply a cold compress to numb your aches.
• Rinse your mouth with saltwater to flush out bacteria and promote healing.

Wisdom tooth pain might be common, but it should be taken seriously. The longer you wait to treat dental complications, the worse they get. Don’t forget to call your emergency dentist while you’re taking care of your discomfort! They’ll see you promptly and address your wisdom tooth woes.

About the Dentist

Dr. Steven Oshins has impressive experience in the field of dentistry and stays up to date with the latest dental technology and research. As an accomplished professional, you can trust Dr. Oshins to get to the bottom of your wisdom tooth pain and provide prompt, effective treatment. To contact his office, call 518-356-5635.