Stop Wisdom Teeth Pain

OVERVIEW
Wisdom-tooth pain has few real solutions that do not involve seeing a dentist. Many people simply do not have the space or the bone structure to accommodate wisdom teeth. Stopping wisdom-tooth pain may require pulling the teeth. Aspirin, Tylenol and other pain relievers may take the edge off the pain, but certainly can't be considered curative.

TIME FRAME
The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge, typically in late adolescence to early adulthood (around the ages of 18 to 20). This is also the age when full height is reached and the skeleton, including the jaw bone, is done growing. Emerging wisdom teeth may have no room, and pain occurs due to pressure on the adjacent molar and jaw. (Some people naturally have no wisdom teeth, and this is considered normal.)

SIGNIFICANCE
It's somewhat normal for wisdom-tooth pain to begin when the teeth emerge through the gums; it's like teething discomfort in a baby, and will subside. Wisdom-tooth pain that begins once the teeth have fully emerged and does not subside, or worsens over time, suggests that there is not enough room in the jaw for the teeth. Pain that begins later in adulthood, well after the teeth have emerged, is mostly due to decay or gum disease.

SOLUTION
See a dentist to diagnose wisdom-tooth pain. If you are under stress and clenching your teeth, begin stress-management techniques, practice yoga or meditation and use relaxing herbs such as chamomile and vitamins like B complex.
If your gums and mouth hurt in late adolescence as the teeth are emerging, follow simple palliative measures, such as taking over-the-counter pain relievers, using hot or cold compresses or applying numbing ointments and herbs directly on the painful area. Suck on ice chips; or if heat feels better, prepare a pot of tea and sip continually.
If tooth pain is due to decay or gum inflammation, improve your hygiene and diet with the support of your dentist and health-care practitioner. Cavities can be painful; inflammation of the internal tooth (the pulp) is extremely painful, and most commonly remedied by emergency dental procedures and root canals. Inflammation of the pulp, referred to as pulpitis, requires drilling into the anesthetized tooth to both remedy the pain and treat the inflammation and infection.
Wisdom teeth that do not have enough space in the jaw and begin to push on surrounding molars and mouth tissues are referred to as "impacted." Impacted wisdom teeth can start to move nearby teeth, disrupting the bite and jaw structure and causing pain. The only effective solution is to pull the wisdom tooth.

WARNING
Dental pain can sometimes result from grinding the teeth while sleeping or clenching the teeth during the day.
Dental pain can sometimes be due to unrecognized sinus infections.

EXPERT INSIGHT
Clove oil can temporarily improve dental pain and be helpful while teeth are erupting through the gums, or until you can see a dentist. Place a drop or two of clove oil on the tooth and surrounding gums and reapply throughout the day. Myrrh tincture is an excellent anti-plaque herb that can reduce dental decay. Place a dropper full of the herbal tincture in a small amount of water, use as a mouthwash and swallow.