How Do I Relieve Wisdom Tooth Pain?
What you can take, what helps at home, when wisdom tooth pain is an emergency, and same-day removal in Oak Lawn.
To relieve wisdom tooth pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever exactly as the label directs, rinse with warm salt water, and hold a cold compress on your cheek. These steps ease pain for a while, but they do not fix the cause. If the pain keeps coming back, or you have swelling or a bad taste, see a dentist.
Wisdom tooth pain keeping you up? Get it checked and treated. $99 emergency new-patient exam, X-rays included.
3607 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 250, Dallas · Mon & Wed 10–7 · Fri 3–7 · Sat 10 AM–8 PM · Closed Tue, Thu & Sun · Todo nuestro equipo habla español.
Why does my wisdom tooth hurt?
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come in, usually in the late teens or twenties, and there often is not enough room for them. The pain can have several causes, and the cause decides what will actually help.
| Cause | What it often feels like | What usually helps |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth coming in | Dull pressure or soreness at the back of the jaw that comes and goes | Home care; a dental exam if it lasts |
| Infected gum flap over the tooth | Swollen, tender gum, bad taste, pain when biting | Dental cleaning of the area, sometimes medicine, often removal |
| Impacted tooth | Deep ache, pressure on the tooth in front, jaw stiffness | Exam and X-rays; removal is often recommended |
| Decay in the wisdom tooth or its neighbor | Sharp pain with sweets, cold, or chewing | Exam; a filling or removal depending on access |
| Spreading infection | Facial swelling, fever, trouble opening the mouth | Emergency room now, then a dentist |
Our guide to impacted wisdom teeth explains how a tooth gets stuck and what an infected wisdom tooth looks like.
What can I take for wisdom tooth pain?
For most adults, an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can take the edge off. Take it exactly as the label directs and never more than the label allows. Ask a pharmacist first if you are pregnant, have stomach, kidney, liver, or heart problems, take blood thinners, or take other medicines.
A few things to avoid:
- Do not put aspirin or a crushed tablet directly on the gum. It can burn the tissue.
- Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else's prescription.
- Use numbing gels only as the package directs, and do not use them on young children.
What home remedies help wisdom tooth pain?
These steps can make you more comfortable until your visit:
- Rinse with warm salt water several times a day, especially after eating, to clear food from around the tooth.
- Use a cold compress on your cheek, 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off, to ease swelling.
- Brush and floss gently around the back of the mouth. Food trapped under a gum flap is a common cause of flare-ups.
- Chew on the other side and choose soft food.
- Keep your head raised when you lie down to reduce throbbing at night.
If the relief only lasts a few hours, that is a sign the problem needs treatment, not more home care. Our guide to toothache at night has more tips for getting to sleep.
When is wisdom tooth pain an emergency?
Go to the emergency room right away, or call 911, if you have swelling that is spreading toward your eye, jaw line, or neck; a fever with swelling; or trouble breathing, swallowing, or opening your mouth. These can mean the infection has moved beyond the tooth.
See a dentist the same day for swelling in the gum or cheek, pus or a bad taste, pain that wakes you up, or pain that keeps returning. Our emergency dentist page lists what we treat same-day.
Does a painful wisdom tooth have to come out?
Not always. A tooth that is coming in straight with room to spare may settle down once it is fully in. But wisdom teeth that are impacted, keep getting infected, are decayed, or are damaging the tooth next to them are often best removed. Your dentist will look at the X-rays and explain the options. Our article do I need my wisdom teeth removed? covers how that decision is made.
Can I get my wisdom tooth removed the same day?
Often, yes. At Bleu Dentistry, wisdom tooth removal, including impacted wisdom teeth, is done right here in our office, so there is no need to go elsewhere. When an infection is active, your dentist may treat it first and remove the tooth soon after. See our wisdom teeth removal page and our tooth extraction page for what to expect.
Nervous about it? We offer local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. There is no need to go elsewhere for IV sedation; it is all done at our office by an anesthesiologist. Learn more about our sedation dentistry options.
How long does pain last after wisdom tooth removal?
Soreness and swelling are usually worst in the first few days and then improve. The gum continues to heal over the following weeks. Follow your dentist's instructions, take pain relievers as directed, and avoid smoking and drinking through a straw while the area heals. Call us if the pain gets worse after a few days instead of better, because that can be a sign of a dry socket.
How much does it cost?
New emergency patients start with a $99 exam, and X-rays are included. If the tooth needs to come out, the removal is priced separately and shown to you in writing before anything is done. Flexible payment plans are available through our dental financing options. Our guide to wisdom teeth removal cost in Dallas explains what affects the price.
When can I be seen in Dallas?
Bleu Dentistry is open Monday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 7 PM, Friday from 3 PM to 7 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM. We are closed Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome during open hours, and online booking is open around the clock. If the pain starts late in the week, our Saturday emergency page has the details.
We are at 3607 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 250, in Oak Lawn, close to Uptown, Highland Park, and Knox-Henderson. Bleu Dentistry is a Black-owned practice founded by Dr. Allen Charles, DDS, who trained at Howard University College of Dentistry, and our team has earned 280+ Google Reviews from Dallas patients. Todo nuestro equipo habla español.
Bottom line
Over-the-counter pain relievers taken as directed, salt water rinses, and a cold compress can ease wisdom tooth pain for a while. They do not treat infection, decay, or an impacted tooth. Go to the ER for spreading swelling, fever, or trouble breathing, and see a dentist for everything else.
Stop putting up with wisdom tooth pain. $99 emergency new-patient exam, X-rays included. Impacted wisdom teeth removed in our office.
3607 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 250, Dallas · Mon & Wed 10–7 · Fri 3–7 · Sat 10 AM–8 PM · Closed Tue, Thu & Sun · Todo nuestro equipo habla español.