Wisdom Tooth Pain
Wisdom Tooth Pain
Wisdom teeth are one of the difficult processes that many people encounter in their lives. These teeth, known as third molars at the back of the mouth, usually begin to appear between the ages of 17 and 25. However, this process does not proceed the same for everyone. These teeth, which settle into the mouth without causing any problems in some individuals, can cause serious discomfort, pain and even infections in many people.
The emergence of wisdom teeth is often complicated by reasons such as the narrowness of the jaw structure, the tooth being buried or trying to emerge in the wrong position. Therefore, for many people, wisdom teeth can become a problem that affects not only their oral health but also their overall quality of life.
What is Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the teeth called third molars and are located at the very back of the jawbone. While permanent teeth replace milk teeth during infancy and childhood, wisdom teeth begin to appear in the mouth during adolescence and young adulthood. These teeth, which are generally seen between the ages of 17 and 25, are in the last place in the tooth sequence, so it is very common to encounter different problems during their emergence.
The emergence of wisdom teeth has become more complicated with the shrinkage of the human jaw during the evolutionary process. While the wider jaw structures of our ancestors in ancient times allowed wisdom teeth to emerge and function easily, the shrinking jaw structure in modern humans has caused these teeth to have difficulty finding space. As a result, these teeth either remain impacted or get stuck under the gums and try to come out, and this process becomes quite painful.
Causes of wisdom tooth pain
Wisdom teeth often cause problems because there is not enough room in the mouth. Below are some common causes of wisdom tooth pain:
- Lack of Space: Most people’s jaw structure is not wide enough to properly accommodate third molars. In this case, as the tooth erupts, it puts pressure on the jawbone or other teeth and causes pain.
- Impacted Tooth: One of the biggest problems with wisdom teeth is that they remain impacted. When the tooth has difficulty coming out from under the gum or cannot come out completely, it remains impacted and this causes severe pain. The impacted tooth can often cause infection and swelling in the surrounding tissues.
- Half Emergence: In some cases, the wisdom tooth cannot fully emerge and only a part of it remains on the gum surface. This causes oral hygiene to become difficult, bacteria to accumulate around the tooth, and inflammation.
- Crooked Teeth: When wisdom teeth come out, they can disrupt the alignment of other teeth and cause crooked teeth. In this case, not only the wisdom tooth, but also other teeth may be subjected to pressure and cause pain.
- Infection: If oral hygiene is not taken into consideration during the tooth eruption process, it becomes easier for bacteria to settle in the gums and around the teeth. This may lead to the development of infection. Gum infection can cause severe pain, swelling and fever.
Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Pain
Wisdom toothache may vary from person to person, but it generally manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- Gum Swelling: Swelling occurs in the gums in the area where wisdom teeth are trying to emerge.
- Pain and Sensitivity: Severe pain and tenderness may occur in the jaw, ear and head. This pain is caused by the pressure in the area where the tooth is trying to come out.
- Difficulty Chewing: Wisdom toothache can cause discomfort while chewing and make eating difficult.
- Increase in Bad Breath: When infection or inflammation occurs in the mouth, bad breath may also increase.
- Jaw Locking: In some cases, stiffness and locking in the jaw muscles may be observed.
- Signs of Inflammation and Infection: Symptoms of infection such as fever, weakness and discharge from the back of the mouth may also be observed.
How to Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain
Treating wisdom tooth pain is generally something that should not be neglected, as it can lead to more serious oral health problems if the pain and discomfort persist for a long time. Treatment methods may vary depending on the position of the tooth, the severity of pain and complications. The first and most common treatment method is tooth extraction. If a wisdom tooth has difficulty erupting, is frequently painful, or jams other teeth, dentists recommend extracting this tooth.
Tooth extraction is usually performed under local anesthesia and provides relief by eliminating the pressure that is the source of pain. In some cases, a surgical intervention may be required because the tooth is impacted. In this case, the tooth is removed from where it remained under the gum and the healing process after the procedure usually takes a few days.
If the tooth is inflamed and an infection has developed, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics control the infection by preventing the spread of inflammation. This treatment is usually applied to eliminate the infection before tooth extraction. Additionally, various pain medications may be prescribed to relieve pain. Anti-inflammatory medications, especially ibuprofen, can be an effective option to both relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Simple methods that can be applied at home can also help relieve wisdom tooth pain. For example, gargling with salt water is an effective method to relieve gingivitis and control infection. Since salt water has antiseptic properties, it provides natural support in relieving pain and reducing inflammation. Additionally, applying ice to the painful area can also help relieve swelling and pain. The ice pack reduces swelling and provides relief by constricting the blood vessels in the area. These methods are useful for temporarily relieving pain, especially in milder cases that do not require surgical intervention.
Wisdom toothache is a common problem in young adults. This pain is usually caused by reasons such as narrowness of space, impaction or infection when the tooth comes out. However, it is possible to overcome this process in a less painful and healthy way with the right treatment methods. By having regular check-ups with your dentist, you can monitor the condition of your wisdom teeth early and prevent possible problems in advance.
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