Wisdom Teeth Pain And Treatment
An experience with wisdom teeth pain is a rite of passage for many people, although the majority of us seem to get by without having that particular problem. Wisdom teeth are often looked upon the same way the appendix is, a body part that has no particular usefulness but still can be a source of problems and pain.
A Third Set Of Molars - Whether our very primitive ancestors experienced wisdom teeth pain we will of course never know. Back then however, when the diet consisted of more hard and rough foods, the molars would eventually wear, leaving room for an emerging third set of molars, which we call the wisdom teeth. Some animals continuously replace worn molars with new ones, almost like a slow-motion conveyor belt process. We of course do not do that. We get an entire new set once in our lifetime, with the wisdom teeth being the last of the new set to emerge.
The problem is, that given our relatively soft diet, our molars do not wear out rapidly and, when the wisdom teeth emerge, in our late teens or early twenties, there is often not enough room to accommodate this new set of molars. One of the causes of wisdom teeth pain is that there simply isn't enough room for them and they will put pressure upon existing molars, grow out at awkward angles, or even pinch a nerve in the area of the jawbone. When any of these situations occur, extraction is usually the only option.
Causes Of Wisdom Teeth Pain - Even if there is sufficient room for the emerging teeth, they will sometimes fail to emerge, that is to break through the gums, or will emerge only partially. This condition is known as having impacted wisdom teeth, which when not treated, can be another source of wisdom teeth pain. Teeth which have broken through the gums, but are a source of pain or other problems can often be removed as simply as with any other tooth extraction. If the wisdom teeth have become impacted however, extraction can become quite a bit more complex, requiring not only cutting through the gums but at times cutting into the jaw bone. When this happens, a person may experience wisdom teeth pain not only prior to extraction but have additional pain for some time after extraction has taken place.
A wisdom tooth that has emerged only partially, or one which has fully emerged but is in close contact with its neighboring molar, can provide a breeding ground for decay and infection, as food particles tend to be trapped, either under the gum or between the wisdom tooth and its neighbor. Decay and infection are then another source of wisdom teeth pain. About the only type of pain that will not necessitate an extraction is while the tooth is breaking through the gum. The pain in this case is normally not severe, and can usually be managed quite well with over the counter pain medications or a topical anesthetic. Once the tooth has emerged and the pain subsides, nothing more may need to be done. Dentists generally do not care to remove wisdom teeth unless there is a real problem or the potential for one.
Treatments For Wisdom Teeth Pain - When wisdom teeth pain is not terribly severe, requiring an emergency trip to the dentist or to an oral surgeon, there are pain relieving actions one can take to either tide over the situation where the teeth are emerging normally, or keep the pain at a minimum until the services of a professional can be brought to bear if extraction is necessary. Topical numbing agents, applied to the gums in the vicinity of the wisdom tooth are quite effective and can keep the pain away for a half an hour or more between applications. Other over the counter pain relievers, taken orally may also help. Aspirin can help but avoid sucking the aspirin while holding it against the gum with your finger or tongue. Besides tasting terrible, aspirin used in that manner can damage the gum. Just swallow the aspirin as you would if you had a headache. Other pain relievers may be even more effective.
If the pain is not too severe, a warm saltwater rinse can provide relief. Keep the saltwater in your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out. Cold water can sometimes help as well, but not ice-cold water or an ice cube touching the tooth or gum which can quickly make the pain worse. Another temporary remedy for pain that is not too severe is to chew some gum. The act of chewing gum can have a massaging effect on the gums, and may even offer some relief if the pain is severe. Even sucking air over the tooth can sometimes help. If a tooth is kept dry, the nerves become less sensitive. If nothing else, sucking in air for awhile may help take your mind off the pain.
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