Although we do not remember much about teething as a baby, the arrival of our wisdom teeth is an exception as it creates sufferings due to aching teeth, tender gums, and pain. In the very back of our mouth, wisdom teeth are the third set of molars. Between 17-25 years of age, the wisdom teeth move upwards through our jawbone and pass through the gum line to form a part of our chewing mechanism.
We can consult a dentist or an oral surgeon to treat wisdom teeth pain. But if we wish to avoid over-the-counter medications, there are plenty of natural remedies which can be applied to get relief.
Wisdom teeth pain
Often impacted, wisdom teeth often fail to break through the gums. 70% of people have been found to have at least one wisdom tooth which has been badly affected. Wisdom teeth pan if ignored can result in causing further complications such as:
- Cavities
- Gum infection
- Bacterial diseases
Additionally, much impacted wisdom teeth can hamper surrounding teeth. Wisdom teeth with a cyst sometimes are harder to clean and can lead to poor oral hygiene.
Home remedies to find relief
Rinse with salt water
Rinsing the mouth with tepid water and dissolved sodium chloride can kill harmful bacteria and promote healthy gums. So even if we get hurt with our wisdom teeth pain or even for those who are experiencing cysts, this treatment can be of immense relief to fight the bacterial infection.
Peppermint
Containing menthol, peppermint leaves can be considered as a pain relief agent here because of its cooling abilities. By soaking a cotton ball in a peppermint solution, we can apply it to painful gums or teeth. People suffering from wisdom teeth pain can have peppermint tea once it cools down.
Clove oil
For toothache, cloves are quite common and highly effective. Studies have shown that eugenol contained in cloves has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Clove essential oil can be purchased or even just by boiling 4 to 5 cloves in the water you can create home-based solutions to be applied in the pain areas. Just remember to avoid overdose application as too much of eugenol can result in liver toxicity.
Hot and cold therapy
Applying ice packs to the cheeks can reduce swelling or inflammation. Alternatively, gentle heat can also be applied to increase the blood flow or to reduce pain pressure. Based on tolerance and comfort either or both can be applied to treat wisdom teeth pain/infection. This can be done several times a day with respect to the intensity of pain/infection.
Aloe vera
With rich anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, Aloe vera can reduce inflammation and soothe the area where our wisdom teeth are growing. Moreover, it can also heal gums if there is a cut or scratch due to the movement of the wisdom teeth.
Conclusion Wisdom teeth pain is common but in some cases, it can go beyond normal tolerance. However, this does not imply that we should ignore this happening, especially between the ages 17 to 25 years. Mentioned above are a few home remedies which are purposeful for treating wisdom teeth pain. You can try all or any of the above depending on your symptoms and tolerance level. But if the pain still persists, then it would be advisable to consult a dentist