HOW TO SOOTHe PAINFUL WISDOM TEETH
It’s harder than ever to book a dental appointment right
now which has left many of us suffering toothache in silence. Thankfully we’ve
got some simple pain-relief tips to take the sting out of it while you wait for
a free slot at the dentist!
Why do wisdom teeth hurt so much?
As parents of teething children will know, all teeth can
cause soreness to the mouth as they emerge. But wisdom teeth are in a class of
their own because they typically start to appear when we’re adults and there’s hardly
any room in our jaw. In addition to the pain of them breaking through the gum, we
also have to deal with them squashing our existing teeth together or even
coming in at an awkward angle as in the pic above.
When will my wisdom teeth stop hurting?
For many people, wisdom teeth will hurt periodically
during their emergence but this will eventually stop without the need for
removal or dental intervention. Either way, it’s best to book a check up as
soon as you notice them coming through and seek an emergency appointment if the
pain is unbearable. In the meantime, here are some excellent methods to ease
the pain.
Dealing with
painful wisdom teeth
1 – Over the counter painkillers
First port of call is your trusty pharmacy or local store
for some painkillers. We recommend you opt for Ibuprofen if possible as it’s an
anti-inflammatory in addition to being a painkiller. This means it will keep
the swelling down and make typical activities like talking, swallowing and even
sleeping that bit more comfortable. Before taking any such
medication, make sure you speak to a medical professional such as your GP or
the pharmacist to be sure it's safe for you.
2 – Gentle cleaning with mouthwash
As your wisdom tooth come through, it’s common for it to
be partially covered by the gums at some stage. This is an alarmingly effective
trap for chewed food and germs, yuck! To avoid the complications and pain of
infection, make sure you keep it clean by brushing the area thoroughly but very
gently. If it’s very sore, swishing with our Dr Denti Mouthwash
Tablets is another good way to keep the area fresh without the need for a
brush.
3 – Ice
The numbing effect of an icepack or frozen peas against your
cheek is an incredibly effective way to get some pain relief while also
reducing the swelling from an impacted wisdom tooth. Just be sure to wrap the
pack in a tea towel and stick to no more than 20 minutes at a time. For added
effect you could gently suck on an ice cube or drink cold water to keep the
inside of your mouth cool too.
4 – Natural clove oil
Oil from cloves contains a chemical called Eugenol, a
natural anaesthetic that also has antibacterial properties. Available from most
pharmacies, you can dab a tiny amount on a cotton ball and then wipe it on the
affected area for a natural remedy to toothache. Be sure to stick to small amounts
and keep it out of reach of little ones and pets as it can be dangerous if
consumed in large quantities.
5 – Turmeric powder
Turmeric powder is another natural remedy that has been
shown to prevent inflammation and infection, especially in dental cases. Mix up
a teaspoon of turmeric with water to make a paste then apply it to the affected
tooth and rinse off after a few minutes. Just try not to get it on your
clothes, it’s a notoriously stubborn stain to get rid of.
What to do if wisdom teeth won’t stop hurting?
In most cases, temporary pain relief and good oral
hygiene should be enough to see you through. But if the pain becomes severe or
you notice extreme swelling or a nasty taste in your mouth, you should book an
emergency appointment as soon as possible so your dentist can check for signs
of infection or other issues.
If you'd like more information on where to buy Dr Denti Mouthwash Tablets, or another product in our home-use range, please get in touch by calling us on 01474 560618 or emailing info@gapdental.com.