Wisdom Tooth Growing Pain: How Long Will It Last?
Why is that, you ask — why do your wisdom teeth hurt so badly when growing in? And if you feel that familiar twitch in the back of your molars, know that you are not alone! The pain of a wisdom tooth growing is a rite of passage for many, but it still begs plenty of questions. Is it normal? How long will this pain last? How can you make it go away? So let me share my experience with wisdom teeth and maybe help you comprehend what you’re up against.
I know personally that the growing pain is real. I know it is the uncomfortable process and you may not be easygoing through this. In this blog, I won’t be talking about what to do or what the pain is directly but I will tell you why it occurred, how long you are supposed to get used to living with that tension and some tips on how you can recover from it.
What Is Wisdom Tooth Growing Pain?
So, first things first — know what we are referring to when we say wisdom tooth growing pain. The third molars at the back of your mouth — wisdom teeth. They tend to come in during your late teenage and early adult years, and they bring some serious pain as they break the surface of your gums.
The discomfort you are experiencing may be from a number of things:
Action: These big teeth coming in through the gum line can create a lot of pressure on the surrounding tissues.
Infection — If your wisdom tooth breaks through the gums only partially, there may be some room for bacteria to enter.
Crowding: The most common cause for people having their wisdom teeth out is that they will not fit properly in the mouth, crowds causing pain by pushing into other teeth.
Swelling and Inflammation: The surrounding tissues of your wisdom teeth may swell, become inflamed, and hurt.
I’ll be frank here, I had no idea what was on the verge of happening when my wisdom teeth finally decided to make their entrance. It was constant, a low and slow burn and I could barely chew. Wisdom teeth take their sweet time coming to the party and in the meantime they can be a source of irritation and pain, so if you find yourself wondering what is going on in your mouth — well, that would make sense!
How Long Will Wisdom Tooth Growing Pain Last?
All of these factors can impact how or if your wisdom teeth may hurt, but one of the more common questions I get about wisdom teeth is, how long does this pain last? There is actually no simple right or wrong answer to that question. That growing pain lasted a couple strategies for me even so, for many it can be prolonged considerably more time period. This is what I can share based on my experience and learnings —
The Timeline of Wisdom Tooth Pain
Week 1: This is typically the most painful stretch in terms of several days. To me, it felt like a constant headache that never went away. Usually, at this point, your wisdom teeth are breaking through and the pressure is mounting.
Weeks 2-4: If the pain continues beyond the first week, it is commonly ascertained that the teeth have not yet erupted completely. That is when swelling and inflammation could start to take place.
Months – If your wisdom teeth are impacted or coming in at a weird angle, the pain can last for months. So many people go through this for months before even going to the dentist, I had a friend who did.
The duration of the pain is unique for everyone, so do not worry if it takes longer than expected. But, if you experience that pain for several weeks or months without stop, it is worth going to the dentist.
Why Does Wisdom Tooth Growing Pain Hurt So Much?
But the real questions are, why is wisdom tooth growing pain so painful? Well, let me explain. Not only is the tooth coming in and that can be painful, but also it has to push through the bone and the gum tissue — so that hurt like hell.
Wisdom teeth are very big and most grow in an angled position which means they push against the neighbouring teeth creating a lot of sore. I recall constantly feeling like someone was clawing at my jaw. Known as squeezing, which can also cause swelling and increase the sensation of pain.
Not only this; As soon as the tooth breaks through, you gums can become inflamed and irritated. As if your gums are saying, “No no not this giant tooth is coming through my mouth,” and putting up a fight. The blister can become infected, which is a separate kind of pain altogether.
When Should You Seek Medical Help for Wisdom Tooth Pain?
Always one to attempt to ride it out, you need to know when to go on in for that dentist. If you have wisdom tooth pain and:
- My body doesn’t forget: Even though I tried to push away the pain, after a few days and weeks it still came back. But make sure to see a dentist if your pain extends over the course of a week or gradually gets worse.
- Swelling and Infection: If there is any swelling of the area surrounding the tooth or redness of your gums, that may indicate an infection. Trust me, I’ve been there — infections are not what you want to mess around with.
- Hard to open your mouth or hard to swallow: If opening your mouth is challenging, if you seem unable to eat comfortably, or you notice yourself struggling with swallowing then it’s absolutely time for a doctor. These are indications that something more sinister might be going on.
Can Wisdom Tooth Growing Pain Be Managed at Home?
Trust me, I have experienced enough to know how it is to have wisdom tooth growing pain and not wanting to depend on Painkiller, whilst you find some remedies in working overdoses. A few things I did that you may like to try:
Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater rinsing was a complete revelation for me. I would stir one teaspoon of salt in warm water and swill in my mouth for 30 seconds a number of occasions a day. The heat from the water also was sick because it helped relieve my swollen gums and the salt helps kill bacteria and inflammation.
Cold Compress
During pain from wisdom teeth, you can use cold compresses. I took some ice and put it in a towel and put that next to my face where the hurting tooth was. But it was indeed freezing that numbed the pain and alleviated swelling. Believe me, I felt relief in every cell of my being.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
If you are feeling a lot of pain and cannot get relief from anything, over-the-counter pain relief like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help take the edge off. I had to rely on them a few times, and they did make it easier to cope with.
Topical Gels
I experimented with a few of those numbing gels that you see at the pharmacy. They have benzocaine in them and dumb the area around the tooth. Not a permanent solution, but it helped me when I needed something fast.
Avoid Hard Foods
I discovered that chewing painful foods only made things worse. During the time you are suffering from wisdom tooth, do not deviate to soft food like yogurt, mashed potatoes and soups. You’ll be kicking yourself, then — it’ll save you some pain.
Wisdom Tooth Growing Pain and Infection
Wisdom teeth sometimes cause infection—that was a lesson learned the hard way. My gums were getting inflamed and infected by the time my tooth came in, which did not help to ease the pain.
If you experience these symptoms, it could be a sign of an infection:
- Bleeding gums: Are your gums bright red, swollen or larger than they should be and painful to touch?
- Pus or discharge: If there is pus around the wisdom tooth site, it means you are infected.
- Fever — If you have are experiencing a fever including wisdom tooth pain, then this is indication that the infection has spread.
Anyhow, I saw my dentist whenever I observed any of those symptoms. The dentist put her on antibiotics to clear the infection and once that was under control, the pain started to go away.
What Are Your Options for Wisdom Tooth Removal?
For others, they experience pain that never goes away or the wisdom teeth erupt impacted and become a candidate for extraction. For example, in my case, after months of bothersome pain (not to mention dollars), my dentist recommended their removal.
What to Expect During Wisdom Tooth Removal
Procedure: Wisdom tooth removal is a repeat in nature. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the area, and you may also receive sedation to help calm your nerves. The whole process typically lasts an hour.
Recovery
Some patients need between one to two weeks of recovery time following the wisdom teeth extraction. I had a little bit of swelling and discomfort for a couple of days. But once it healed, I finally had relief from those wisdom tooth growing pains.
Conclusion
There is no getting around the fact that wisdom teeth are one tough opponent. Growing wisdom teeth is uncomfortable, and painful, and comes with its own set of challenges, but don’t let this discourage you. My best advice? Be proactive. Talk to your dentist if you need relief, and in the meantime, find home remedies to ease the pain. The duration of wisdom tooth pain is unique to everyone, but with proper care and patience, you will make it through! Remember, every tooth has its purpose in life, and for wisdom teeth, it’s just a matter of growing in!