Wisdom teeth

Got a terrible aching feeling at the back of your mouth? It could be your wisdom teeth coming through to cause trouble. Here are the symptoms to look out for.

What are impacted wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth usually come through in your late teens or early twenties. Sometimes they drop in fine, but other times there’s a lack of space in the jaw for them. Then it hurts. If your wisdom teeth grow at an angle and push on/get stuck against other teeth – this is called an ‘impacted wisdom tooth’. It affects almost three out of four people in their twenties so dentists are very good at sorting them out.

What are the symptoms of a wisdom tooth coming through?

Symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth, i.e. a wisdom tooth that isn’t behaving, are:

• Jaw pain and tenderness in the gums;
• Headaches;
• Swelling or redness in the gums;
• An unpleasant taste in the mouth when you bite in the area of the wisdom teeth;
• Bad breath.

In more rare cases, symptoms include swollen glands in the neck or problems opening your mouth.

If you’re wondering how long wisdom teeth take to come through, it turns out they can take years to fully break through the gums after they’ve initially ‘erupted’. How wise you are actually has no impact on how long this process takes, unfortunately (or fortunately). 

What does wisdom tooth pain feel like?

Wisdom tooth pain can be quite intense, and normally occurs in the back of the mouth or in the jaw area. Sometimes an impacted wisdom tooth can feel more like an earache. In fact, many people mistakenly believe that their ear pain is caused by an ear infection or wax buildup, only to learn that they actually need to visit the dentist.

When should I go to my dentist about my wisdom teeth?

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, it’s worth going to see your dentist. They’ll take x-rays to see what your teeth are up to and remove them if necessary. Sometimes, however, it’s just a matter of taking some pain medication for a couple of days until it stops hurting. 

However, not every ache requires such drastic measures; sometimes, a simple regimen of pain medication can offer relief. It’s reassuring to know that access to dental care is just around the corner, with options like the dental office Queens readily available to address any dental concerns with expertise and efficiency. So, whether it’s a routine check-up or a more intricate procedure, the key lies in consulting the professionals to ensure a smile that lasts a lifetime.

You can also read our article about NHS dental treatment here.

Wisdom teeth coming through pain: What’s normal?

Even if your wisdom teeth aren’t impacted, they can still hurt when they come in. You’re effectively ‘teething’ — and look how hard babies cry when they’re teething. So some slight pain and general feelings of unpleasantness are pretty normal.

Using a mouthwash of lukewarm salt water can help (tasty stuff) when you notice your wisdom teeth coming through. You can also take painkillers such as paracetamol or Aspirin. 

Being vigilant about your oral health. Brushing/flossing and mouth washing won’t just help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, when you’re teething it should also stop you from getting an infection. 

How do dentists remove wisdom teeth?

Impacted wisdom teeth are normally pulled out by your dentist under local anaesthetic, but sometimes general anaesthetic will be needed. Yes, that sounds horrible, but it’s actually one of the most common medical procedures done in this country, i.e. your dentist will know exactly what they’re doing and you’re unlikely to feel a thing.

The dentist will numb you up with an injection, before rocking your tooth back and forth and pulling it out. The injection stings a little, but other than that, all you’ll feel is a bit of pressure. Sometimes they need to cut through the gum, break the tooth into pieces and remove it. Self-dissolving stitches will sometimes be needed to close the gum.

How long does it take to recover?

It’s normal to have slight bleeding, swelling and pain afterwards, though this should calm down in a couple of days. Occasionally, an extraction can lead to more serious complications, such as a dry socket. 

Try to look after yourself after you have your wisdom teeth removed. Keep away from strenuous exercise, hot drinks, alcohol, and fags until your mouth feels normal again.

Experiencing anything unusual with your body? Check out the rest of our body problems resources here.