Wisdom teeth, which normally come in during the late teens or early 20s, are located at the very back of the mouth. When they come in healthy, whole and properly positioned, they do not cause pain or other problems. Unfortunately, many wisdom teeth come in crooked or become stuck halfway through the gums. These complications can lead to pain, infection or other symptoms that may necessitate removal of the teeth by a dentist. If your wisdom teeth are causing you problems, there are steps you can take at home to get rid of the pain while waiting for a dental appointment.
Step 1
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to get rid of mild aching and pain in your gums caused by pressure or infection.
Step 2
Apply warm or cold compresses to ease swelling and aching caused by erupting or impacted wisdom teeth. Try a heating pad on a low setting, or wrap ice in a thin towel and rest it against your jaw for 20 minutes at a time, every couple of hours.
Step 3
Try an oral numbing agent containing benzocaine to temporarily relieve gum and tooth pain. Try applying clove oil directly to your wisdom teeth to ease pain. To prolong contact, apply the oil to a cotton ball and wedge the cotton into the back of your mouth, directly over the affected tooth.
Step 4
Elevate your head to reduce inflammation and swelling while you are sleeping. Prop yourself up on a pillows or sleep semi-upright on a chair or couch.
Step 5
Call your dentist for stronger pain medication or antibiotics to help with wisdom teeth pain that fails to respond to home treatment. If one or more of your wisdom teeth are infected, you may require prescription medication to prevent a potentially serious infection from developing while you wait for your appointment.
Things You'll Need
- Over-the-counter pain reliever
- Heating pad
- Hand towel
- Oral benzocaine gel
- Clove oil
- Cotton balls
