Wisdom teeth can be really troublesome especially if you are multiple together for the first time. However, for some others, it is a cakewalk; each to its own. Wisdom teeth start to erupt usually in the late teens, that is anywhere between 18-22. The wisdom teeth are basically the third molars in your set of teeth and because they are the last to erupt, the cases of an impacted tooth are very common. Wisdom are of course good enough in size since they are essentially molars (teeth that help you chew) and given that they come are the four ends of our gum plates, there is very little space for them. This commonly causes impacted teeth, swelled gums and teeth with decay. Food and other debris can be accumulated by a half-erupted tooth, which can lead to gum swelling and an infection called pericoronitis. This infection will spread to the throat or into the neck if not treated!
Some cases of erupting wisdom tooth can be managed well at home while others need orthodontal care and some others need a proper extraction by a dentist. Mentioned below are some common ways to manage them.
- Numbing Gels
There are various over-the-counter treatments available for reducing the inflammation in your gums or the pain in the teeth. They can easily be applied over the affected area and be removed once there is some relief. Taking the recommended dose on the packing is good enough for reducing teeth pain related to either eruptions or extraction! In case of swelling and pain in the gums numbing gels containing Benzocaine work well. However, be cautious they don’t suit some and can cause allergic reactions. For pain relief, you can simply go for an Ibuprofen as an over-the-counter treatment but always take anything after consulting your dentist first as they know your medical history and other conditions well and can suggest accordingly.
- Brush with soft bristles
Just because you’re getting wisdom teeth doesn’t mean you have to stop brushing and stick to gargles with a mouthwash. Instead, brushing regularly (twice a day) with soft bristles actually assists in keeping the area clean, sterile and free of infection. You can, of course, have regular gargles but nothing can replace brushing your teeth. Be subtle with your cleaning but be regular as that will help speed up the healing process and since no food particles will remain stuck, you will keep infections at bay too.
- Clove
Cloves have been known to keep infectious bacteria away and help maintain dental hygiene for centuries together. They can practically be used to combat any and every dental problem that may arise for you. Simply place a clove overnight in the area where the pain or inflammation is. The clove doesn’t only act as an anti-infective but also has a numbing effect on pain. Use them until all your wisdom teeth have erupted. Remember to not chew or swallow them and keep them in place to reap the benefits and if you have a hard time doing so, you can also go for clove oil.https://www.google.com/afs/ads/i/iframe.html#slave-1-1
- Rinsing with Salt Water
The traditional rinsing and gargling with saltwater heals whatnot. You can definitely ease a lot of pain with the hot water rinsing while the salt in it helps keep bacteria and infections away. When managing erupting wisdom tooth, rinsing thrice a day with salt water really helps soothe the pain and keep infections at bay and not let them harbour. It’s an extremely simple but effective method since during wisdom tooth you are highly susceptible to infections of all kinds, some even reaching your ear or throat. This simple method will truly help you manage it all.
- Regular Flossing & Scraping
Last but not the least flossing. You can never skip flossing when maintaining dental hygiene and especially in case of wisdom tooth eruptions as the chances of manifesting an infection are very high. If the tooth grows out into the adjacent tooth or into the cheek, it can cause complications and with food debris collected in places in one’s mouth, will provide the ideal ground for bacterial infections to grow and spread. Regular flossing between teeth and scraping your tongue gently will prevent a lot of problems that can grow.
Following these methods should keep you sorted but wisdom teeth are known mischiefs and cause some discomfort or pain nevertheless. Sometimes trimming the tooth does the job and at other times extraction of the tooth is done. If an extraction becomes absolutely necessary after inspection by your doctor, be prepared and know that pain-free life is just one minor surgery away. Whatever the case, your smile is worth way more than anything, don’t let anything dim its shine.