The term wisdom teeth comes with a sense of shivering fright. Fright because wisdom teeth have become synonymous with excruciating pain and suffering. Despite the name, the truth is – wisdom teeth do not elevate wisdom or smartness. These teeth are called wisdom teeth because they come out in the later period of life. Usually, people around the age group of 17 to 21 get wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are found at the back of the mouth. These teeth are the parts of 32 adult teeth.
Wisdom teeth do not only result in extreme pain. These teeth usually cause damage to teeth as well. Other than these dental problems, wisdom teeth are not known to cause any other damage. However, wisdom teeth are not easy to clean. For this reason, wisdom teeth may lead to gum problems and tooth decay. Dentists usually recommend removing wisdom teeth to prevent pain and damage.
Now, the question is – what are the symptoms of wisdom teeth? And more importantly – how do you take care of wisdom teeth?
Symptoms
The problem with wisdom teeth is – they don’t always come with any symptoms. However, sometimes wisdom teeth get infected. In such a case, you will experience some symptoms. You need to watch out for the signs mentioned below –
- Gum swelling is a common sign of wisdom teeth. Also, the gum turns reddish in case of infection.
- Gum bleeding is another sign of wisdom teeth
- You may experience jaw pain if you are having wisdom teeth
- Jaw swelling might be another sign of wisdom teeth coming out
- Another common sign of wisdom teeth is a bad taste in the mouth
While these are the most reported signs of wisdom teeth, there are some other signs as well. If you experience difficulty in opening your mouth, you might be experiencing wisdom teeth. Some people have reported this problem. Bad breath is another uncommon yet probably sign. Even though the number is very low, some suffer from this problem at the time of wisdom teeth coming out.
Causes of Wisdom Teeth
So why do you have wisdom teeth? This is a question everyone suffering from pain due to wisdom teeth asks. To understand the causes of wisdom teeth, you need to understand the human teeth cycle first. During infancy, people get a set of teeth. They lose them all and then another set of teeth comes out. However, after the second set comes out, some experience the commencing of a third set. It is the last stage of human teeth set. However, unlike the previous two sets, wisdom teeth come with some complications.
Now, to answer the question – of why humans have wisdom teeth, one can say that due to evolution these teeth come out at a later age. Human features have gone through a serious transformation over time. The jawline has narrowed down significantly. The narrow jaw passage fails to accommodate all the teeth that human beings need. Because jawline does not change after a certain age, wisdom teeth come out at a later age. The complications related to wisdom teeth arise because wisdom teeth don’t fit properly. Because of this, people suffer from dental damage during wisdom teeth. From crooked teeth to jaw pain, people may suffer from any problem. Teeth removal is necessary in case any complication arises. However, it is imperative to ask questions before going for a teeth removal surgery. A skilled dentist with experience in wisdom teeth removal is the right person to assist you in this endeavor. In case, you don’t want to go through surgery, you will need a proper wisdom teeth monitoring session. You need to keep an eye on growth and damage.
Treatment for Wisdom Teeth Pain
One thing is for sure, wisdom teeth removal is the best way to subdue your suffering. But if you want to know how to reduce pain, here are some easy ways.
Numbing Gel
The application of numbing gel can be the easiest way to reduce toothache. It will surely dull wisdom teeth pain and provide relief. Numbing gels are easy to obtain. You can get these from any clinic. You can apply some of these gels directly to the affected area. However, it is better to seek your dentist’s approval if you want to use a numbing gel.
Medication
Everyone turns to medicine to reduce pain. However, every medicine does not work. For this reason, you should seek the assistance of your dentist. It is wise to get a dentist’s advice before using any medicine. Usually, you should seek a medicine that reduces pain by treating inflammation. Consuming the prescribed doses will not only reduce the pain but also treat the inflammation around your gum. Medicine might be a great pain reduction treatment until you remove your wisdom teeth.
Ice Pack Application
Some adhere to ice pack application around the affected area. Putting an ice pack on the jawline is an easy way to reduce gum inflammation and pain. Ice pack provides a numbing effect around the applied area. Therefore, using an ice pack can be helpful during wisdom teeth pain. You can put the ice pack around your jaw for 15 minutes. It will slowly numb the affected area and you will get pain relief.
Salt Water
Washing the mouth with salt water is an old way of treating toothache. But it has its effect on aching areas. Saltwater comes with properties of disinfection. Sometimes bacteria around the wisdom teeth cause the dreading ache. Using salt water can wash off the bacteria and provide pain relief. You can use salt water multiple times daily.
Cloves
If you explore medical journals, you will see that studies related to cloves’ ability to reduce toothache have shown positive results. Therefore, you can use cloves to treat your wisdom teeth pain. You can place a piece of clove on the wisdom teeth which is giving you hard time. Cloves oil is also an effective remedy for wisdom teeth. You can pour a few drops of clove oil on cotton and apply that cotton to the affected area. You will surely get relief from the pain.
However, it is advisable to consult an experienced dentist if you are suffering from wisdom teeth pain.