What Does Wisdom Teeth Pain Feel Like?

Wisdom Tooth Pain Area

You will feel wisdom teeth pain at the back of your mouth, behind your molars. If you check in a mirror, you might see your wisdom teeth starting to push through your gums. The area could be red, swollen, and sensitive when touched.

What Causes You to Feel Wisdom Teeth Pain?

Wisdom teeth usually come in between the ages of 17 and 26. Some people have wisdom teeth that grow behind their second molars without issues. They perfectly align with the rest of the teeth. However, in many cases, the mouth is too crowded. Therefore, these third molars get impacted.

An impacted wisdom tooth might partially come through, with some of the crown visible. This is called a partially impacted wisdom tooth. If the tooth never breaks through the gums, it’s called a fully impacted wisdom tooth. Whether partially or fully impacted, the tooth might:

• Grow at an angle toward the second molar.
• Grow at an angle toward the back of the mouth.
• Grow sideways, lying down inside the jawbone.
• Grow straight up or down but remain trapped in the jawbone.

Symptoms Wisdom Teeth Pain

If you feel pain at the back of your mouth, it could be from your wisdom teeth coming in. Common signs of wisdom teeth pain include:

• Pain or discomfort when biting or chewing
• Throbbing or aching in the back of your mouth
• Swollen and tender gums behind your last molars
• Trouble opening your mouth wide
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Pain in your jaw or ear on the affected side

Why Does Wisdom Teeth Pain Feel Inconsistent?

The length of wisdom tooth pain can differ for each person. For some, the pain might go away after a few days or weeks. This happens as the tooth continues to come in and settle into place. However, for others, the pain could last for months before becoming less frequent.

The intensity and frequency of the pain can also change during this time. At first, the pain might be constant and strong because of swelling or the tooth being stuck. As the tooth slowly moves into position or partially breaks through the gums, the pain may become less regular.

How to Stop Throbbing Wisdom Tooth Pain?

There are several medical treatments that can help relieve wisdom teeth pain. These include some over-the-counter options:

• Numbing Gel
  A numbing dental gel can help reduce sensation in the gums and ease pain. These gels, which contain the active ingredient benzocaine, are available over the counter or online.
  You can apply most dental gels to the affected gums throughout the day. However, it’s important to follow the product’s instructions. Be aware that some people can be allergic to benzocaine. So, it’s best to consult a doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
• Ibuprofen
  Ibuprofen (Advil) is an over-the-counter pain reliever and a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Taking the recommended dose can help reduce pain and inflammation in the gums. Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs, like aspirin (Acuprin), can manage the pain until you can see a dentist.
• Tooth Extraction
  If home remedies don’t relieve the wisdom teeth pain, a dentist or oral surgeon can remove it through dental surgery. The doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic and then apply pressure to loosen the tooth from its socket.
  The dentist can make small cuts around the tooth and could break the tooth into smaller pieces before removing it. The procedure usually takes a few minutes but can last up to 40 minutes. Pain and swelling after wisdom tooth removal may last up to two weeks.