Posted 2 years ago 3 Minute(s) to read

Your wisdom teeth are the four posterior teeth or the back molars found on each side of your upper and lower jaws, and are the last teeth to come through in your mouth. People generally receive their wisdom teeth in their late teen years or during their twenties. While some people receive their wisdom teeth with no symptoms at all, it can be an uncomfortable situation for others.

So how do I know if I’m getting my wisdom teeth?

  • You may start to notice some gum or jaw pain which will give an aching sensation. It will give you a feeling of pressure or a dull throbbing at the back of your jaw bone.
  • You may also notice swelling or redness around the area where the wisdom teeth are coming though. You will probably notice this with your tongue and it may become more difficult to chew or swallow food.
  • The feeling when your wisdom teeth come through is not unlike other pain you would feel when a tooth comes through. However, wisdom teeth can be more susceptible to other issues and infections so the pain can sometimes be much worse.

What can I do right now?

When you start to notice your wisdom teeth coming through, it is best to book in to see your dentist as soon as you can, particularly if you are in a lot of pain. But before you see your dentist, here are some things you can do to limit the pain you experience.

  • Ibuprofen: When you have to go to work or you have other things you need to do, the last thing you want is to be suffering from mouth pain. Ibuprofen can bring you immediate relief to help you get through the day. Of course, talk to your pharmacist about dosage.
  • Cloves and Cloves Oil: A natural remedy and one the Mayo Clinic suggests is to take a whole clove and place it in your mouth, directly where you are receiving pain. You can do the same thing with clove oil by dabbing it on the affected area with some cotton wool.
  • Antiseptic Mouthwash: Antiseptic or antibacterial mouthwash is great for treating and preventing infections and pain. If you don’t have any mouthwash at home, you can gargle using salt in warm water.
  • Benzocaine: Rubbing a gel-based numbing cream on the area where your teeth are aching will help to relieve the pain. You can reapply this throughout the day as needed.

Will I need to get my wisdom teeth removed?

While every person’s situation is different, most people will opt to have their wisdom teeth extracted. Your wisdom teeth may need to be removed if they come in at an angle which may distort the proper alignment of your bite and smile. Wisdom teeth can cause many different issues for your teeth so it is best to have them assessed by your dentist to decide whether or not you will need to have them removed.

If you are suffering symptoms or think your wisdom teeth might be coming through, contact us today to have an assessment of your teeth. If you want any further information about extractions of wisdom teeth, find it here.