If one of your wisdom teeth begins to cause you discomfort, don't try to ignore it.
It could develop into a problem that requires treatment by a dentist.
In addition, some home remedies for wisdom tooth pain can help you manage this discomfort.
Wisdom tooth pain can make you feel like you're stuck in a bad dream, but you don't have to live with it.
The pain might feel like a dull or sharp ache, radiating from the jaw to your ears, neck, or shoulders.
If left untreated, the pain might linger for weeks or months.
Wisdom Teeth Pain
Wisdom tooth pain is a common oral problem that occurs during adolescence. The pain can be severe or mild and last for hours or days.
The symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Stiffness around the gums
- Pain around the jawline and face
- Headaches
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
The pain can sometimes be so intense that patients cannot sleep or eat.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause damage to adjacent teeth and lead to serious oral health problems.
While many experience some wisdom tooth pain, not everyone requires treatment for their impacted wisdom teeth.
In most cases, you can treat the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers.
However, if the pain persists for more than a few days, patients should consult their dentist.
Most dentists will suggest extracting the impacted teeth to prevent further damage.
How long will wisdom tooth pain last?
Wisdom tooth pain can last a few days or a few months.
Sometimes, the pain goes away on its own. If your pain lasts longer, you should see a dentist and have it removed.
However, in most cases, the pain goes away on its own, and you shouldn't need to see a dentist.
Home Remedies For Wisdom Tooth Pain
When it comes to using home remedies for wisdom tooth pain relief, some patients turn to medications that are either ineffective or even harmful.
Here is a safe list to use and help ease the pain and prevent infection.
#1 Rinse With Saltwater
A saltwater rinse is an easy and effective remedy to help soothe the pain of developing wisdom.
Rinsing with saltwater is more effective because it removes bacteria that can stain your teeth.
- To make a simple saltwater rinse:
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water.
- Rinse your mouth with the solution.
- Repeat this a few times a day until the toothache subsides.
#2 Cold and Warm Compress
Applying a cold compress to the jaw will help relieve swelling in the gums surrounding the developing wisdom tooth.
The cold from the compress works excellent for numbing the pain.
You can use store-bought compressed and fill them with ice cubes, or you can use ice packs wrapped in a towel.
If you don't have ice on hand, use a bag of frozen vegetables or peas.
You can also use a warm compress to relieve pain and inflammation in the area around the developing tooth.
The warmth will help to release any tension in the jaw muscles and provide relief from aches and pain.
Heat also will increase blood flow to the area, encouraging healing to occur faster.
Apply the hot or cold compress for 10-15 minutes and repeat as needed throughout the day.
If you are switching from cold to heat, make sure the cold is the last one you use at the end of the treatment.
#3 Clove Oil
Clove oil is one of the most popular home remedies for tooth pain.
Clove oil is unique because it has a one-two punch: it's both antiseptic and anesthetic.
Furthermore, clove oil has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it works well.
To use clove oil:
- Soak a cotton swab in clove oil.
- Then, rub the cotton swab on your gums around the wisdom tooth.
If you don't like the taste of clove oil, or it may be too strong for you, add some olive oil to dilute the strong taste.
#4 Peppermint Leaves
Menthol, a natural cooling chemical, is found in peppermint leaves.
Combined with peppermint essential oil (extract), it creates a natural numbing agent.
That numbing agent will numb the discomfort and fight infection and inflammation around the wisdom tooth.
You have two choices with peppermint, and you can use leaves or extract oil.
The easiest option is leaves, they are easy to find, and you can pick some up at the grocery store; make sure it is fresh and not dried out.
- Place the leaves on the area where your pain is for 20 to 30 minutes and wait for the magic to happen. I think you will be surprised how well it works. As for the oil, you can buy it at any pharmacy or health store.
- To use the oil: Gently rub a few drops on your sore tooth or gums every few hours as needed.
#5 Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a plant with remarkable healing properties.
Now, when it comes to relieving wisdom tooth pain, aloe Vera gel is a tried and true method to get quick relief from throbbing toothaches.
It's rich in vitamins A and C, which are known for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
For this method :
- Take the gel out of the aloe leaf and apply it directly onto the aching spot in your mouth.
- Leave it on for about fifteen minutes.
- Then rinse your mouth with warm water.
Repeat as needed until your discomfort is gone.
6 Baking Soda Paste.
Baking soda has antiseptic properties and can help relieve pain associated with damaged or infected teeth.
It is terrific for common infections and can be used as a preventive measure against tooth decay.
To use baking soda:
- Mix one-half teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to form a paste.
- Use a cotton swab to apply the paste to your infected tooth.
- Let the treatment sit for about five minutes, and then rinse your mouth with water.
Repeat as necessary, but avoid swallowing the paste.
#7 Cucumber Slices
The skin of the cucumber contains compounds that act as a mild anesthetic, so a single cucumber slice applied to your gum can relieve the throbbing pain rather quickly.
The vegetable also has astringent properties that can promote quick healing from swelling and inflammation.
To use cucumbers:
- Cut the cucumber into thin slices and apply them to the sores with a bit of salt.
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes, and then rinse your mouth out with warm water.
#8 Onion Juice
Like apple cider vinegar, onion juice is a good remedy for relieving oral pain and killing harmful bacteria in the mouth that can cause bad breath.
In addition, onions have antibacterial properties that help kill bacteria that cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and other oral infections.
How to use onion juice:
- Crush an onion and mix the juice with a cup of water to create a thick paste.
- Use your fingers to apply the mixture to the sore area and leave it on for five minutes before rinsing off with water.
Repeat as needed until your discomfort is gone.
#9 Tea Bags
Tea contains tannins that have astringent properties that can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria in the mouth, which is good news for people with inflamed and painful gums caused by wisdom teeth.
Plus, tea also contains fluoride that helps strengthen teeth and repair damaged enamel.
To use tea bags:
- Soak a tea bag in warm water for a few minutes
- Then wring it out to remove excess water.
- Apply the warm tea bag to your sore gum area and let it stay there for several minutes before rinsing your mouth with warm water.
Repeat as needed until your discomfort is gone.
#10 Turmeric
Turmeric has many uses and is becoming a common ingredient for home and natural remedies.
For example, turmeric powder can relieve swelling and inflammation of the gums due to wisdom tooth extraction.
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that helps to reduce pain and inflammation when applied topically to the affected gum area.
How to use turmeric powder:
- Mix one-half teaspoon turmeric powder with enough lukewarm water to form a thick paste.
- Use a cotton swab to apply the paste to your infected tooth and leave it on for about fifteen minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
Repeat as needed until your discomfort is gone.
#11 Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is an antiseptic and antimicrobial compound that can fight bacteria and alleviate symptoms of infection in the gums.
It also helps soothe the pain associated with tooth pain and does wonders for the swelling.
So please don't underestimate the potency of oregano oil.
And it has been shown to effectively kill off oral bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites without causing harmful side effects to the human body.
How to use oregano oil:
- Put a couple of drops of oregano oil on a cotton ball
- Gently rub the oil on the affected gum area for a few seconds.
Do this several times a day until the pain subsides.
#12 Guava Leaves
Guava leaves are another natural remedy with several medicinal compounds with potent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
When applied directly to the mouth, guava leaves can reduce the swelling of an infected jaw and promote quick healing of damaged tissue.
In addition, guava leaves contain proteolytic enzymes, which are compounds that promote the growth of new tissue cells in the body.
These enzymes break down proteins into smaller units, which the body can use for cell repair.
How to use guava leaves:
- Crush four to five guava leaves and apply them directly over your infected gum area.
- Use a small dental floss to gently rub the crushed leaves on your gums for a few minutes.
Repeat this treatment a few times a day until your discomfort is gone.
To Sum it Up
When it comes to home remedies for wisdom tooth pain, there is no shortage of treatments to choose from.
From food-based remedies to essential oils, there are a variety of ways you can alleviate the pain associated with removing wisdom teeth from your oral cavity.
However, remember not to rely on these remedies to treat a severe dental problem such as an infection or abscess, as these home remedies are not strong enough to deal with these types of issues.
If you have recurring headaches, throbbing pain in your teeth, blood in your saliva, or suspect an abscess under your gums, consult a dentist.
Although not everyone is a candidate for wisdom tooth extraction, the American Dental Association recommends that all young adults have their wisdom teeth evaluated by their dentist.
