10 Effective Home Remedies To Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain
Practicing in Beverly Hills and Manhattan, with experience that spans more than 21 years and several Northeastern states, Dr. Thomas Connelly delivers world class dental aesthetics to patients from all walks of life. He is accredited by the American Society of Dental Aesthetics - the most prestigious and selective credentialing organization in the world for Aesthetic Dentistry - and is also a Fellow in the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.
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Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.
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Are you in your late teens or early twenties? And have you been experiencing a dull ache in the back of your gums lately? Congratulations! You are finally a fully grown adult because this is a sign of the emergence of wisdom teeth. Although you may not remember teething as a kid, the eruption of wisdom teeth pretty much makes up for it. Well, there is nothing exciting about it, given that the process can be quite painful. In fact, some individuals may also get crooked or misaligned wisdom teeth, which worsen the pain. So, what can be done about this? Many opt for surgical extraction when the pain becomes unbearable. But if you don’t want to do that yet, you can give the following home remedies for wisdom tooth pain a try to get relief from the pain naturally.
In This Article
What Is Wisdom Tooth?
The wisdom teeth are the last pair of molars that an individual gets. They usually appear in the late teens or early twenties of an individual’s life, i.e., between 17 to 25 years.
The eruption of these teeth causes pain in a lot of individuals. Let’s look at the causes to understand why this happens.
What Causes Wisdom Tooth Pain?
The following are the reasons for wisdom teeth pain:
- Crooked wisdom tooth
- Your wisdom teeth do not fit properly in your mouth.
- An infection around your teeth.
It is also important to be aware of the warning signs of wisdom tooth pain so that you can address the issue immediately.
Warning Signs Of Wisdom Teeth Trouble
Mentioned below are the signs that you need to look out for:
- Your gums begin aching, especially behind your molars.
- Your wisdom tooth begins to tear out of your gums.
- Red, swollen or inflamed gums.
- Swollen lymph nodes under your jaw.
- Difficulty in swallowing and opening the mouth.
- Slight fever.
Some individuals may show no signs at all while getting their wisdom teeth. However, if you aren’t so lucky, don’t worry. You can ease your pain by using the home remedies listed below.
How To Treat Wisdom Tooth Pain Naturally
Home Remedies To Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain
1. Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil
You Will Need
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and swish it in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Spit it out and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this once daily, preferably every morning, before brushing your teeth.
Why This Works
Oil pulling is a great way to help reduce the inflammation and swelling of the gums (1). Coconut oil possesses antimicrobial and analgesic properties, which protect your teeth and mouth from oral infections and reduce wisdom tooth pain (2).
2. Peanut Butter
You Will Need
Peanut butter
What You Have To Do
Take a little peanut butter on your index finger and apply it directly to the affected tooth.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this multiple times daily because the saliva in your mouth will keep clearing the peanut butter.
Why This Works
Peanut butter is made up of roasted peanuts. Peanuts have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties due to the presence of a compound called resveratrol (3), (4). This is why peanut butter can be used to treat wisdom tooth pain and its symptoms.
3. Clove
You Will Need
Clove or clove oil
What You Have To Do
- Take a clove and place it on the wisdom tooth.
- Bite on it so that it doesn’t move away from the tooth.
- Alternatively, you can also apply clove oil on the affected tooth and the surrounding gums to relieve pain.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this 4 to 5 times a day.
Why This Works
Clove is a popular spice that is used to enhance the flavor of various dishes. And it has also been used to treat toothache and the inflammation and swelling that accompany it due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anesthetic properties (5), (6), (7). Hence, clove is one of the best options to get relief from wisdom tooth pain.
4. Salt Water
You Will Need
- 1-2 teaspoons of table salt
- 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Dissolve a teaspoon or two of table salt in a glass of warm water.
- Rinse your mouth with the saline solution for a few minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice daily for effective results.
Why This Works
Salt contains sodium that has been quite widely used for relieving pain (8). It also has antibacterial properties, making it a great option for treating wisdom tooth pain (9).
5. Essential Oils
a. Peppermint Essential Oil
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of peppermint essential oil
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Mix equal amounts of peppermint essential oil and coconut oil.
- Apply this mixture with your finger on the affected tooth and the gums around it.
- Massage gently for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1 to 2 times daily.
Why This Works
Peppermint oil contains a compound called menthol that has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and relieve wisdom tooth pain (10), (11), (12)).
b. Tea Tree Essential Oil
You Will Need
1-2 drops of tea tree oil
What You Have To Do
- Take a drop or two of tea tree oil and apply it directly to the wisdom tooth.
- Massage the tooth and gums gently for 2 to 3 minutes and then rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
You must follow this procedure 1 to 2 times daily.
Why This Works
Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and has antimicrobial properties that can protect your wisdom teeth from infection (13), (14). It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it the perfect remedy for reducing wisdom tooth pain (15).
[ Read: 31 Amazing Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil For Skin, Hair, And Health ]
6. Garlic
You Will Need
1 or 2 peeled garlic cloves
What You Have To Do
- Mince the garlic cloves.
- Apply the paste to the aching wisdom tooth.
- You can also place a garlic clove directly on the affected tooth and bite on it.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 to 3 times daily until you get relief from the pain.
Why This Works
Garlic contains a compound called allicin that exhibits anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that makes it one of the effective home remedies for wisdom tooth pain (16).
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need
- 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Add a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and mix well.
- Use this solution to rinse your mouth.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 1 to 2 times a day.
Why This Works
Apple cider vinegar possesses antimicrobial properties that can protect your teeth and mouth from oral infections (17). And its anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful in getting rid of wisdom tooth pain (18).
[ Read: 28 Amazing Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin, Hair, And Health ]
8. Hot Or Cold Compress
You Will Need
A hot water bottle OR ice pack
What You Have To Do
- Take a hot water bottle or ice pack and place it on the side of the cheek where the wisdom tooth is coming in.
- Hold the compress for 10 to 15 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this 3 to 4 times daily.
Why This Works
Both hot and cold compresses help alleviate pain and swelling (19), (20). This makes both of them excellent home remedies for wisdom tooth pain.
9. Listerine
You Will Need
Listerine
What You Have To Do
Take some Listerine in a small glass and rinse your mouth with it for 1 to 2 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 to 3 times daily, preferably after every meal.
Why This Works
Listerine contains ingredients like menthol, thymol, and eukalyptol – all of which have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties (21).
10. Lemon Juice And Salt
You Will Need
- 1/2 lemon
- A pinch of salt
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Take half a lemon and extract its juice.
- Add a few drops of water to the lemon juice to dilute it.
- Add some salt to the diluted lemon juice and apply it to the affected tooth and the surrounding gums.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this whenever you experience wisdom tooth pain.
Why This Works
Lemon has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a natural pain reliever (22). And as we already know, salt is used to maintain oral health due to its antimicrobial and pain-relieving properties (23). A combination of these two ingredients helps relieve wisdom tooth pain quite effectively.
Caution
Do not use lemon juice without diluting it as it may be too abrasive for the enamel of your tooth.
These remedies will surely help you deal with the pain and discomfort. However, if nothing seems to work, you might have to go ahead and get your wisdom tooth removed surgically. And you may want to keep the following tips in mind to avoid the pain and inflammation that may surface after the procedure.
Healing Tips After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
- Place a gauze pad over the surgical area every now and then to avoid swelling.
- Limit eating, drinking, and even talking for the first couple of hours after the extraction.
- Do not touch the wound area too often following an extraction as it might cause bleeding.
- When the bleeding ceases, drink lots of lukewarm or cold fluids to keep yourself hydrated.
- Consume soft foods to avoid straining the surgical area.
- Place ice packs over the surgical area for pain relief.
- Avoid brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth too rigorously for a couple of days after surgery.
- Avoid strenuous workout right after a surgery.
These tips can aid your recovery after a wisdom tooth extraction. But if you really want to retain that last pair of teeth, give the home remedies for wisdom tooth pain discussed here a shot. They will definitely assist in either healing the affected tooth or at least delaying its extraction to a certain extent.
Tell us how this article helped you. Leave a comment in the box below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary to have the wisdom teeth removed?
The wisdom teeth need not be removed if they are healthy and positioned correctly. However, if they are hidden within the gums and unable to emerge, or if they cause any infection on pain, it is important to get them removed.
What to eat after wisdom tooth extraction?
After getting your wisdom tooth extracted, you must drink a lot of lukewarm or cold fluids. Also opt for softer foods like mashed potato, soups, and puddings while you are recovering.
Does everyone have wisdom teeth?
No. Not everyone gets their wisdom teeth. In fact, about 35% of people do not get their wisdom teeth.
What are the best medicines that can help to get relief from wisdom tooth pain?
Ibuprofen is one of the best over-the-counter medicines that can provide relief from from wisdom tooth pain. But if you are on the lookout for natural alternatives to solve your problem, the remedies discussed above will do the trick.
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Read full bio of Dr. Thomas Connelly
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