Pain at the back of your mouth? Learn why wisdom teeth hurt, how to get quick relief, and when wisdom tooth removal is the best option.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25. Because they are the last teeth to come in, there often isn't enough space for them, which is why wisdom tooth pain is so common.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Hurt?
- Impaction: The tooth is stuck under the gum or bone, or growing at an angle.
- Gum infection (pericoronitis): A flap of gum over a partly erupted wisdom tooth traps food and bacteria.
- Decay: Wisdom teeth are hard to clean and decay easily.
- Pressure on nearby teeth: An angled wisdom tooth can push against and damage the tooth in front.
Common Symptoms
- Pain and swelling at the back of the jaw
- Difficulty opening the mouth or swallowing
- Bad taste or bad breath
- Pain spreading to the ear or head
Quick Relief at Home
- Rinse with warm salt water several times a day
- Keep the area clean with gentle brushing
- Use a cold compress on the cheek for swelling
- Take an over-the-counter painkiller if suitable for you
These measures only give temporary relief. If pain or swelling keeps coming back, see a dentist.
When Should a Wisdom Tooth Be Removed?
Removal is usually recommended if the tooth is impacted, repeatedly infected, decayed, damaging the neighbouring tooth, or causing cysts. If a wisdom tooth has enough space and is healthy, it can often stay.
What to Expect During Removal
An X-ray shows the exact position of the tooth. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so you feel pressure but not pain. Simple extractions take a few minutes, while impacted teeth may need a small surgical procedure.
Recovery Tips
- Bite on gauze for 30 to 45 minutes
- Eat soft, cool foods for the first few days
- Avoid spitting, straws and smoking
- Take medicines as prescribed
Most people feel better within a few days to a week.
Types of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
A wisdom tooth is called impacted when it cannot come out fully. On an X-ray, your dentist may describe it as:
- Mesioangular: tilted forward towards the tooth in front, the most common type
- Horizontal: lying on its side and pushing against the next molar
- Vertical: upright but blocked by bone or gum
- Distoangular: tilted backwards towards the jaw
The position helps the oral surgeon plan how simple or complex the wisdom tooth extraction will be.
What Happens During Wisdom Tooth Removal?
- X-ray planning: a digital X-ray or OPG shows the tooth, its roots and nearby nerves.
- Local anaesthesia: the area is fully numbed so you feel pressure but not pain.
- Removal: an erupted tooth may come out like a normal extraction; an impacted tooth may need a small gum opening and, sometimes, sectioning of the tooth into pieces.
- Stitches and gauze: dissolvable stitches may be placed, and you bite on gauze to control bleeding.
Most procedures take 20 to 45 minutes.
Recovery Timeline After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
- First 24 hours: some bleeding and swelling are normal. Use cold packs and rest.
- Days 2 to 3: swelling usually peaks, then starts to go down. Eat soft foods.
- Days 4 to 7: most people feel much better and return to normal activities.
- Two weeks: the gum is largely healed, although the bone continues to heal underneath.
How to Prevent a Dry Socket
A dry socket happens when the blood clot in the socket is lost too early. To protect it, avoid smoking, spitting forcefully, drinking through a straw and rinsing hard for the first few days. Follow your dentist's aftercare instructions and call if pain gets worse after day three.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisdom Teeth
Should all wisdom teeth be removed?
No. Wisdom teeth that are healthy, fully erupted and easy to clean can often stay. Removal is advised when they cause pain, infection, decay or damage to nearby teeth.
Is wisdom tooth extraction painful?
The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so it is not painful. Some soreness and swelling afterwards is normal and managed with medicines.
What is the wisdom tooth removal cost in Mohali?
The cost depends on whether the tooth is erupted or impacted and how complex the surgery is. After an X-ray, our oral surgeon explains the cost clearly before treatment.
How long should I take off work?
Most people need one to two days of rest. More complex surgical extractions may need a little longer.
Who removes wisdom teeth at Urja Dental Clinic?
Impacted wisdom teeth at our clinic in Phase 3B2, Mohali are removed by an MDS oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Related treatment: read more about Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction in Mohali at Urja Dental Clinic.
Book a Visit at Urja Dental Clinic, Mohali
If you have any of these concerns, book a consultation at Urja Dental Clinic, S.S.S. (Bay Shop) 74, Sector 60, Phase 3B2, Mohali. We are easy to reach from Phase 3B1, Phase 5, Phase 7, Kharar and Chandigarh. Call +91 86999 69619 or +91 78890 93147, or book online.
