Wisdom teeth, as the last teeth to grow in the human mouth, often cause people trouble. Many people have experienced the torment of wisdom teeth pain and are eager to know exactly how long this pain will last. To figure out this issue, we need to first understand the causes of wisdom teeth pain, as well as the manifestations and duration of the pain in different situations.
Causes of Wisdom Tooth Pain
Wisdom tooth pain is mainly caused by the following reasons.
(1) The eruption of wisdom teeth is blocked
During the process of human evolution, the mandible has gradually become smaller, but the shape and size of wisdom teeth have not changed significantly. This often leads to insufficient space for wisdom teeth to erupt normally. When wisdom teeth emerge, the gums are pushed up, forming a blind pocket. The existence of blind bags provides a breeding ground for bacteria, and food residues are prone to getting stuck inside, making them difficult to clean. Bacteria multiply in large numbers in the blind bag, causing inflammation and thus leading to pain. This condition is clinically known as pericoronitis of wisdom teeth and is one of the most common causes of wisdom tooth pain.
(2) Abnormal growth position of wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth may experience various abnormal growth positions, such as horizontal growth or inclined growth. Horizontally growing wisdom teeth may press against adjacent teeth, causing them to be compressed and resulting in pain. At the same time, it may also affect the health of adjacent teeth, leading to problems such as tooth decay. The wisdom teeth that grow at an Angle and their adjacent teeth are prone to form gaps that are difficult to clean. Food debris accumulates there, which can also cause bacterial infections and lead to pain. In addition, abnormal growth positions of wisdom teeth may also affect the occlusal relationship and cause pain during chewing.
(3) Caries of wisdom teeth
Like other teeth, wisdom teeth can also decay. Because wisdom teeth are located at the innermost part of the mouth, they are difficult to clean. When brushing teeth, it is often hard to thoroughly clean all surfaces of wisdom teeth, which increases the risk of tooth decay. When the decay of wisdom teeth reaches a certain extent and bacteria invade the dental pulp, causing pulpitis, severe pain will occur. This kind of pain is usually sharp and may be accompanied by symptoms such as pain at night and pain caused by cold or hot stimuli.
Duration of wisdom tooth Pain in Different situations
(1) The duration of pain caused by pericoronitis of wisdom teeth
Mild pericoronitis of wisdom teeth
If it is mild pericoronitis of wisdom teeth, the pain is relatively mild, which may only be manifested as slight swelling and pain of the gums, and a slight discomfort when chewing or touching. In this case, if the patient can maintain good oral hygiene, such as brushing teeth frequently and using mouthwash, and adjust their diet appropriately, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, the pain may gradually ease within 3 to 5 days. At the same time, the combined use of some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as metronidazole and amoxicillin, can accelerate the resolution of inflammation and shorten the duration of pain.
Moderate pericoronitis of wisdom teeth
When pericoronitis of the middle wisdom tooth occurs, the pain is more obvious, the swelling of the gums intensifies, and it may be accompanied by local redness, swelling, and heat. In severe cases, there may be a restriction on opening the mouth, that is, when the mouth is opened wide, there will be pain, which affects normal eating and speaking. At this point, it is often difficult to control inflammation merely by maintaining oral hygiene and adjusting diet, and local irrigation treatment is required. Doctors usually alternately rinse the blind bag with normal saline and hydrogen peroxide solution to remove food residues and bacteria inside, and then place drugs such as iodine glycerin in the blind bag for anti-inflammation. After such treatment, combined with oral anti-inflammatory drugs, the pain usually gradually eases within about 1 to 2 weeks. However, if the inflammation is not controlled in time, it may further develop into severe pericoronitis of wisdom teeth.
Severe pericoronitis of wisdom teeth
The symptoms of severe pericoronitis of wisdom teeth are more serious. Besides intense pain and obvious swelling of the gums, systemic symptoms such as facial swelling, fever and swollen lymph nodes may also occur. This situation requires systemic anti-infection treatment and may need intravenous infusion of antibiotics. At the same time, local rinsing and drug treatment still need to be combined. The treatment process is relatively long, and the pain may last for 2 to 3 weeks or even longer. After the inflammation is under control, it is also necessary to consider extracting wisdom teeth to prevent the recurrence of pericoronitis.
(2) The duration of pain caused by abnormal growth position of wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth that grow horizontally or at an incline support adjacent teeth
When wisdom teeth that grow horizontally or at an Angle press against adjacent teeth, the pain persists and may gradually worsen over time. This kind of pain is usually caused by the compression of adjacent teeth and damage to the periodontal tissues. If not treated in time, the pain may persist and may also lead to serious consequences such as loosening and decay of adjacent teeth. Only by extracting wisdom teeth to relieve the pressure on adjacent teeth will the pain gradually ease. Generally, within 1 to 2 weeks after the extraction of wisdom teeth, the pain will be significantly alleviated. As the wound heals, the pain will completely disappear. However, if the adjacent teeth have already been damaged, further treatment may be required, and the treatment period will be correspondingly prolonged.
Pain caused by the gap formed between wisdom teeth and adjacent teeth
Due to the difficulty in cleaning the gap between wisdom teeth and adjacent teeth, the pain caused by bacterial growth and inflammation will recur without effective treatment. After each meal, food residues enter the gaps and irritate the gums, causing pain. By enhancing oral hygiene, such as using dental floss, interdental brushes and other tools to clean the Spaces, the pain may be temporarily relieved, but it is difficult to be completely eliminated. Only by extracting wisdom teeth or restoring adjacent teeth and wisdom teeth to eliminate the gap can the pain problem be fundamentally solved. The time for pain relief after treatment depends on the specific treatment method and individual recovery. Generally, the pain will gradually ease within 1 to 3 weeks after treatment.
(3) The duration of pain caused by wisdom tooth decay
When the caries are relatively mild
When the decay of wisdom teeth is relatively mild and has not yet affected the dental pulp, the pain is usually manifested as a brief soreness when eating cold or hot food or sweet food, and the pain disappears immediately after the stimulation is removed. In this case, if the tooth is filled in time, the decayed tissue is removed and the filling material is filled, the pain will completely disappear within 1 to 2 days after the filling. However, if not dealt with in time, the caries will continue to develop.
When dental caries develop to pulpitis
Once the decay of wisdom teeth progresses to pulpitis, the pain will become extremely severe and last for a long time. The pain caused by pulpitis is often difficult to relieve on its own, especially at night when the pain becomes more obvious. At this point, root canal treatment is required, which involves removing the infected pulp tissue, cleaning, disinfecting and filling the root canal. Root canal treatment is generally carried out in 2 to 3 sessions, with an interval of 1 to 2 weeks between each treatment. During root canal treatment, the pain may be relieved to some extent, but there will still be a certain degree of discomfort. The pain will gradually subside only after the entire root canal treatment is completed, and this process may take 1 to 2 months. However, if the wisdom tooth is in an unfavorable position, root canal treatment is difficult to perform, or the patient’s own condition is not suitable for root canal treatment, it may be necessary to extract the wisdom tooth. After extraction, the pain will gradually ease within 1 to 2 weeks.
Methods to Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain
(1) Maintain oral hygiene
Good oral hygiene is the basis for relieving pain from wisdom teeth. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, with each brushing session lasting no less than three minutes. Use the correct brushing method, such as the bass brushing technique, to ensure that all surfaces of your teeth are cleaned. At the same time, using mouthwash is also very important. Mouthwash can reach every corner of the mouth, further clean the mouth and inhibit the growth of bacteria. Rinsing your mouth promptly after meals to remove food residues can effectively reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
(2) Adjust your diet
During the period of wisdom tooth pain, one should avoid eating spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers, Sichuan pepper, and ginger, as these foods can irritate the gums and aggravate the pain. At the same time, reduce the consumption of hard foods such as nuts and bones to avoid overburdening the wisdom teeth and surrounding tissues during chewing. You can choose some soft and easily digestible foods, such as porridge, noodles, egg custard, etc.
(3) Cold compress and hot compress
Cold and hot compresses can also relieve wisdom tooth pain to a certain extent. In the early stage of pain, apply cold compresses. Put an ice pack or a cold towel on the painful side of the face for 15 to 20 minutes each time, 3 to 4 times a day. Cold compress can constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling and pain. When the inflammation has been controlled to a certain extent and the swelling has subsided, hot compresses can be applied instead. Hot compress can promote blood circulation, accelerate the resolution of inflammation and relieve pain. Apply a warm towel to your face for 15 to 20 minutes each time, 3 to 4 times a day.
(4) Drug treatment
Under the guidance of a doctor, the appropriate use of medication can relieve wisdom tooth pain. Commonly used drugs include anti-inflammatory drugs and pain-relieving drugs. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as metronidazole and amoxicillin can inhibit bacterial growth and alleviate inflammation. Pain-relieving drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can relieve pain symptoms. However, it should be noted that drug treatment can only alleviate symptoms but cannot fundamentally solve the problem. It is also necessary to combine it with other treatment methods.
Measures to Prevent Wisdom Tooth Pain
(1) Regular oral check-ups
Regular oral check-ups are very important. It is recommended to have a comprehensive oral examination every six months to one year. Through oral examination, doctors can promptly detect the growth of wisdom teeth and determine whether there are any problems with them, such as abnormal growth positions or caries. If problems are found, corresponding measures can be taken in time to avoid the occurrence of pain.
(2) Maintain good oral hygiene habits
Developing good oral hygiene habits is the key to preventing wisdom tooth pain. In addition to brushing your teeth on time every day and using mouthwash, you should also learn to use dental floss, interdental brushes and other cleaning tools correctly to thoroughly clean all parts of your teeth, especially wisdom teeth and their surroundings. In addition, regular teeth cleaning can also help remove dental plaque and tartar from the surface of teeth, maintaining oral health.
(3) Pay attention to the growth of wisdom teeth
If wisdom teeth start to emerge, their growth should be closely monitored. Once symptoms such as swollen and painful gums occur, medical attention should be sought promptly. For wisdom teeth that grow in abnormal positions and do not have enough space to emerge, extraction can be considered after the inflammation is controlled to prevent pain and the occurrence of other complications.
Conclusion
The duration of wisdom tooth pain is influenced by multiple factors. Wisdom tooth pain caused by different reasons also varies in duration. Understanding the causes and characteristics of wisdom tooth pain and mastering the methods to relieve and prevent it are very important for reducing the distress caused by wisdom tooth pain. If you experience pain in your wisdom teeth, you should seek medical attention promptly and receive proper treatment under the guidance of a doctor to restore your oral health.
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