We all experience mild toothaches from time to time. Most of the time, these episodes go away without any intervention. But wisdom teeth can sometimes be the cause of these toothaches, and when they are, it may signify a more serious issue.
In this article, we will look at some symptoms of wisdom tooth pain and when you should seek out the help of a professional.
What Are The Symptoms Of Wisdom Tooth Pain?
Wisdom teeth are located at the back of your mouth, just behind the second molars. Pain caused by issues with your wisdom teeth will be localized in that area.
However, wisdom tooth pain can also radiate into the surrounding areas such as your jaw, neck, and other areas around the face.
Some additional symptoms of a more serious issue may be:
- Swelling around the wisdom teeth
- Sudden foul smell or bad taste in the mouth accompanying pain
- Sore throat or sinus issues
If these symptoms occur along with pain around the area of the wisdom teeth, you should consult with your dentist.
Will Wisdom Tooth Pain Go Away On Its Own?
Oftentimes, wisdom tooth pain will go away on its own if no other secondary issues arise.
The pain is mostly caused as the teeth erupt out from the surface of the gums. This can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications, cold compresses, and avoiding foods that can irritate the area.
Assuming there are no secondary issues, the pain can subside in a few days. If pain persists for more than a week, you should contact your dentist for an evaluation.
What Is An Impacted Wisdom Tooth?
An impacted wisdom tooth is when the tooth fails to erupt past the gums or otherwise erupts improperly. This can be due to the wisdom tooth coming in at a forward or backward angle, driving it into adjacent teeth.
Some symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth are:
- Throbbing pain
- Bleeding or pus
- Pain in the jaw and neck
- Misalignment of corresponding teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth can turn into a very serious health issue if not addressed. So make sure to contact your dentist if you suspect you may have impacted wisdom teeth.
What Happens If My Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted?
Your dentist will determine via an examination and x-rays if your wisdom teeth are impacted. They will then generally recommend surgery to have them removed.
This is a common procedure and extremely safe. It's also necessary to maintain the health of your adjacent teeth and gums.
Recovering from wisdom tooth removal is relatively quick, with most pain subsiding within a few days. Within a week, you should be able to return to all normal activities. After two weeks, most patients are fully healed.
If there were complications or if the surgery was more involved, healing may take longer.
What To Do If You Have Wisdom Tooth Pain?
If you are experiencing wisdom tooth pain that has lasted more than a day or two, you should contact New Jersey Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to schedule a consultation.
The surgeons and staff at New Jersey Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery use the latest state-of-the-art technologies to treat or remove problem wisdom teeth, and they can quickly diagnose your problem and guide you through the most effective treatment options.