If you have asked yourself, “Why do my wisdom teeth hurt?”
You’re not the only one. Having a nagging pain in the back of your mouth, getting sharp pains while eating, or feeling pressure that’s hard to describe. How is it that we experience such pain? How do you know what to worry about and what doesn’t need to be worried about?
Knowing what’s causing your wisdom teeth pain is the first step to finding relief and preventing major oral health issues. In this blog, we’ll describe why your wisdom teeth may be painfully inflamed, explain when to visit a doctor, and the options for restoring your comfort.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, usually appear between 17 and 25. They are known as wrinkles when someone is (allegedly) wiser and more mature.
Our ancestors could chew their food much better than we can now because they had extra molars. Even so, because human choices and mouth size have changed, many people find it difficult to fit these crunchy foods. Problems with wisdom teeth generally happen if they are out of position, are impacted, or only have part of their crowns showing.
Not all humans have wisdom teeth; some who get them find they are perfectly positioned. Even so, many people discover that wisdom teeth might be uncomfortable and sometimes become infected.
Why Do My Wisdom Teeth Hurt? Common Causes
The main question dentists and oral surgeons get is, “Why do my wisdom teeth hurt?” Some people have periodic pain, and others have constant pain, and it can be as mild or as intense as the situation warrants.
The following reasons usually explain this:
Impaction
When wisdom teeth are impacted, there isn’t enough space for them to develop correctly. They could be below the gums or just starting to come through but not finishing erupting. Usually, this will result in your gums becoming swollen, tender, and sore. Their pressure may affect both nearby teeth and the structures around them.
If your wisdom teeth hurt despite not showing up in your mouth yet, it’s probably because they’re impacted.
Infection (Pericoronitis)
Only a partially erupted wisdom tooth can lead to an area of the gum that holds food and bacteria. As a result, people may develop an infection in the gum tissue called pericoronitis. Signs of gum disease are an unpleasant mouth taste, foul-smelling breath, swollen gums, and fever. It’s a typical reason for sudden pain in the wisdom teeth.
Tumors or cysts
Occasionally, a cyst develops when a sac around the tooth fills with fluid. Eventually, it can hurt the nearby bone, nerves, or teeth. While unusual, tumors may form and sometimes need to be surgically removed. If it seems your wisdom teeth are causing jaw swelling and pain, you’d be wise to pay attention.
Tooth Crowding or Pressure
The upward push of your wisdom teeth can hurt your jaws and the back of your mouth. If you have too much force on your teeth, your other teeth can become misaligned. If getting braces was difficult and your investment was high, you surely don’t want your wisdom teeth to spoil your hard work.
Gum Disease or Cavities
Wisdom teeth are found at the back of your mouth and often aren’t easy to brush or clean. Therefore, they may also decay and suffer from gum disease. Teeth that are hard to clean can attract harmful bacteria and plaque, which cause cavities, inflammatory symptoms, and ongoing pain.
When to worry : Warning Signs That Need Attention
A little pain in your wisdom teeth is fine, but you should pay more attention if the discomfort stays or increases. If you feel apoplexy even with pain relievers, these signs should raise warning bells:
- Trouble Moving Food or Saliva to the Throat
If you can’t open your mouth as wide as you usually can or find swallowing painful, this might be due to a serious infection. It may become frustrating to eat or speak as you normally would.
- Problem with how the jaw opens or closes
Having difficulty chewing due to a tight jaw or a clicking noise could suggest that your wisdom teeth are creating a biting or jaw problem. As a result, a person may develop problems with their temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
- Trouble moving your jaw or a clicking noise
Trouble chewing, with a clicking jaw, could mean that your wisdom teeth are affecting your bite or the way your jaw works. It may result in problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
- Illness signs are characterized by fever and bad breath
The presence of a fever, awful breath, or pus near the gums suggests you have gum disease. Ignoring an infection from wisdom teeth can allow the infection to move into other parts of the body, resulting in quick and serious action.
If any of these signs resemble your situation and you’re asking, “Why do my wisdom teeth hurt?”, you should arrange a visit to a dental office.
Treatment Options: What Can You Do?
You have a few treatments available according to how severe and what is causing your wisdom tooth pain. You can cope with pain in your home with quick solutions.
At Home Pain Relief (Short-term)
For quick relief, you can use drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to curb both pain and inflammation. In addition, rinsing with salty water, applying a cold compress, or using numbing gel in your mouth may help. If you’re always wondering why you have wisdom tooth pain, these solutions will completely address the problem.
Dental Evaluation and Imaging
A dentist or oral surgeon might use X-rays to assess your wisdom teeth. This step helps determine whether pain is caused by an impaction, infection, or something else. That’s a good idea, particularly if you want to discover why your wisdom teeth start hurting well before they break through the gums.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth removal has often been the best choice over the years. Removing teeth that cause problems can provide more space in your mouth, stop infections and get rid of ongoing pain. At Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery, our surgeons ensure the process is comfortable and easy for you.
If you’re baffled about why your wisdom teeth hurt despite good dental care, it’s probably because there isn’t enough space in your mouth for them.
What to Expect During and After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Now that you’ve chosen to extract, this is what awaits you:
- Patients receive either a local anesthetic or a light sedative during the procedure. Surgeons often need to cut into the gums to remove an impacted tooth. Most of the time, the procedure is completed within sixty minutes.
- After the procedure, mild discomfort, some swelling, and a little bleeding. Put in place your surgeon’s advice, eat foods that are easy to chew, and use all your prescribed drugs.
The majority of people feel better in 7 to 10 days, and for many, the end of chronic pain makes it all worthwhile.
When in Doubt: Trust a Specialist
When your wisdom teeth ache often, you may have a more serious health issue. So, it makes sense to have a specialist examine them.
Wisdom tooth problems are treated and diagnosed by the Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery team. Your dental needs are in good hands because they have modern technology, show compassion, and use board-certified oral surgeons.
When you are considering getting evaluated, we suggest using the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as a first resource to explore the possibilities.
No matter if you are managing pain now or preparing for the future, see your doctor before it becomes truly unbearable.
Conclusion
If you’ve kept asking yourself, “ Why do my wisdom teeth hurt?” it’s best to take steps rather than just guess. When symptoms of tooth pain are spotted early, treatment can be successful in avoiding serious complications for your mouth.
If you have wisdom tooth pain, don’t let it stop you from living normally. Consult with Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery today and start your journey to feeling better.
