Are you struggling with a toothache? That throbbing pain in the back of your mouth can be frustrating. You can’t eat, talking is uncomfortable, and you might even have some swelling.
Are you wondering if that soreness is actually wisdom tooth pain?
Not everyone suffers from wisdom tooth pain. Some people don’t have wisdom teeth at all, and others never have an impacted wisdom tooth. If you’re one of the unlucky ones, we’re here to explain.
Keep reading to learn all about wisdom tooth pain symptoms so you know how to move forward.
1. Biting Helps
If you’re trying to figure out how to know when wisdom teeth are growing in, think of yourself as a small child. When children and babies are growing their teeth, what does it feel like?
It’s persistent pain and pressure. Sometimes it feels more like itching than sharpness. You may find that biting down on something chewy helps while you’re waiting for the tooth to finish growing.
If biting down on the painful spot makes it better, you may be dealing with a wisdom tooth.
2. No Obvious Pre-Existing Cavities
Everyone can get cavities, but if your last dentist’s visit didn’t show any signs of cavities, it’s likely that your pain has a different cause (especially if it’s intense).
When a wisdom tooth needs to go, it can put pressure against the surrounding teeth, causing pain. It can also cause the gums to become inflamed. A wisdom tooth that overstays its welcome can even cause bad cavities in the future.
So, if you know that your mouth was picture-perfect before the pain started, contact your dentist to see if you have a pesky wisdom tooth on your hands.
3. The Pain Comes and Goes
Before a wisdom tooth becomes a huge problem, you might notice that the pain comes and goes as it pleases. This may be because of bacteria causing temporary inflammation, or because the tooth is still growing in.
It’s possible that this pain will stop before a wisdom teeth removal is necessary, so keep an eye on it.
Meanwhile, if you have a deep cavity, the pain and sensitivity should be more consistent.
4. Swelling and Stiffness
Are you having a hard time opening your mouth? If your gums and jaw are feeling stiff and swollen, a wisdom tooth might be the culprit. The swelling can come on all at once, making for a very surprising and uncomfortable morning.
If you experience swelling that makes it hard to eat, speak, or move your jaw at all, it’s important to contact a dentist or oral surgeon right away.
Wisdom Tooth Pain: What Now?
If these things sound familiar, you have wisdom tooth pain on your hands.
If your teeth are still growing in, it’s possible that you won’t have a problem once they’re in place. Your dentist may ask you to keep an eye on the situation rather than opting for wisdom tooth removal right away.
If the pain has been consistent, you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed. This is uncomfortable, but your dentist will use a numbing solution to help.
Don’t live in pain. See a dentist today.
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I never knew that tooth cavities or wisdom tooth pain could cause signs of temporary inflammation over time. My colleague talked about how he’s not able to drink warm and cold beverages recently, and I got curious why. I think he should consider visiting a dental clinic if this issue persists before it worsens.