“What should I do if my wisdom tooth hurts?”
I have a wisdom tooth that's causing pain. What should I do?
2 Answers
DentalHygienistDentist
If your wisdom tooth hurts, it may be impacted or infected. Rinse with warm saltwater and see a dentist for an evaluation. Pain relief like over-the-counter medications can help in the meantime. Best wishes for your recovery!
If your wisdom tooth is hurting, here are some steps you can take:
Rinse with warm salt water – This helps reduce bacteria and can ease inflammation. Mix about half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and swish it around your mouth gently.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers – Ibuprofen (like Advil) or acetaminophen (like Tylenol) can help relieve the pain and reduce swelling.
Apply a cold compress – Hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth) against your cheek near the sore tooth for 15–20 minutes to numb the area and reduce swelling.
Keep your mouth clean – Gently brush and floss around the sore area to remove food particles. Sometimes pain is caused or worsened by trapped debris.
Avoid hard or chewy foods – Stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the side where the tooth hurts.
See a dentist as soon as possible – Wisdom tooth pain can be caused by several issues like impaction, infection, or crowding. A dentist can assess whether it needs to be removed or if another treatment is necessary.
Don't wait too long — if there's swelling, fever, or difficulty opening your mouth, it could be a sign of infection, and you should see a dentist urgently.
Would you like help finding a nearby dentist or tips on what to expect during a wisdom tooth removal?
Rinse with warm salt water – This helps reduce bacteria and can ease inflammation. Mix about half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and swish it around your mouth gently.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers – Ibuprofen (like Advil) or acetaminophen (like Tylenol) can help relieve the pain and reduce swelling.
Apply a cold compress – Hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth) against your cheek near the sore tooth for 15–20 minutes to numb the area and reduce swelling.
Keep your mouth clean – Gently brush and floss around the sore area to remove food particles. Sometimes pain is caused or worsened by trapped debris.
Avoid hard or chewy foods – Stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the side where the tooth hurts.
See a dentist as soon as possible – Wisdom tooth pain can be caused by several issues like impaction, infection, or crowding. A dentist can assess whether it needs to be removed or if another treatment is necessary.
Don't wait too long — if there's swelling, fever, or difficulty opening your mouth, it could be a sign of infection, and you should see a dentist urgently.
Would you like help finding a nearby dentist or tips on what to expect during a wisdom tooth removal?
