What should you do if you have wisdom tooth pain?

Last updated on: 5 Aug, 2026

If you have wisdom tooth pain, it is important to temporarily relieve the discomfort with appropriate remedies and seek medical advice. The most common causes are related to a tooth coming through, inflammation, infection or incorrect positioning.

Wisdom tooth pain is a sensation that many people have experienced at least once. A dull or stabbing pain in the corner of the jaw can occur without warning and disrupt sleep, eating and daily life. 

Third molars are the last teeth to erupt, and they do so at a time when the jaw has already formed. This is precisely why these problems with wisdom teeth are so common and so unpleasant.

In this article, you will find out why wisdom teeth hurt, how to manage the pain and when you should seek medical help.

Image: freepik

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars – the last four teeth in the dental arch, one on each side of the upper and lower jaw. They erupt last, usually between the ages of 18 and 25, although in some people they appear later or do not erupt at all. 

Diagnosing wisdom teeth via an X-ray allows us to see their position and the likelihood of complications. For many people, there is simply not enough space in the jaw for them, which makes their eruption painful and problematic.

At the Dentatime clinic, diagnosis is carried out using modern 3D tomography and digital X-rays with a tablet and sensor, with reduced radiation exposure compared to standard X-ray machines. This is crucial for the diagnosis of wisdom teeth, as it is the X-ray that shows the exact position of the impacted tooth, its angle, and its proximity to nerves and neighbouring roots.

Before any procedure, the patient undergoes a detailed consultation, during which a full medical history is taken, the necessary imaging tests are carried out, and an individual treatment plan is drawn up.

Causes of wisdom tooth pain

Pain in the area of the third molar is rarely coincidental. It almost always signals a specific problem that requires attention. See the most common causes.

Erupting wisdom teeth

When a wisdom tooth begins to break through the gum, it puts pressure on the surrounding tissue. The process can take weeks or even months. The gum becomes red, swollen and sensitive to touch. 

The pain is usually dull and throbbing and worsens when chewing. Sometimes the eruption stops halfway and the tooth remains partially hidden beneath the gum, which is when the risks of complications increase significantly.

Malocclusion

 are those that cannot erupt normally because they are blocked by an adjacent tooth, the bone or insufficient space in the jaw. They may lie horizontally, at an angle or even with the tip pointing downwards. 

The pressure they exert on neighbouring teeth causes pain and can damage their roots over time. This is one of the most common reasons for wisdom tooth extraction.

Inflammation and infection

Partially erupted third molars create a trap for bacteria. A pocket forms between the gum and the tooth, in which food debris accumulates and is difficult to clean. 

The result is pericoronitis — inflammation of the gum around the affected tooth, accompanied by pain, swollen gums, bad breath and difficulty opening the mouth. If left untreated, the infection in the wisdom tooth can spread to neighbouring tissues and lead to serious complications.

Tooth decay and damage to neighbouring teeth

Third molars are difficult to clean even when they have erupted correctly. A toothbrush and dental floss struggle to reach them. This makes them vulnerable to tooth decay, and if the decay affects the neighbouring tooth as well, the pain can be confusing. 

It is felt in the area of the molar, but the problem lies elsewhere. Proper oral care in this area requires a special approach and regular check-ups.

Image: freepik

How can we manage the pain?

When experiencing wisdom tooth pain, it is important to act sensibly. Most home remedies for pain do not treat the cause, but they can provide temporary relief until you can visit the dentist. Rinsing with salt water reduces the bacterial load and soothes irritated gums. 

Applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek for 15–20 minutes helps with swelling and reduces pain. Eating soft foods reduces mechanical pressure on the affected area during chewing. Herbal remedies also provide temporary relief. Mint tea, with its cooling properties, can reduce pain when used as a mouthwash. 

A paste of turmeric mixed with a little water, applied to the gum, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Ginger tea is considered a remedy that helps to soothe wisdom tooth pain. Some folk remedies, such as camphor oil, are used but are not recommended by dentists due to the risk of irritation

What should you do in the event of acute wisdom tooth pain?

For acute pain, some over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol are a suitable temporary option in the absence of contraindications. Ibuprofen also has an anti-inflammatory effect, which is particularly useful for swollen gums. It is important to follow the recommended dose and not to take it for longer than indicated without medical advice.

Aspirin should not be placed directly on the affected tooth, as this may damage the gum tissue. In the case of very severe pain that does not subside, you should not wait for it to go away on its own.

When should you see a doctor?

There are signs that a wisdom tooth needs extracting and situations where a visit to the dentist is essential and should not be delayed. If the pain persists for more than two or three days, if it is accompanied by a fever, or if symptoms of infection include severe swelling, an unpleasant odour or discharge from the gum – these are signs that require immediate attention. 

Difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth is a worrying sign, as it may indicate that the infection is spreading.

Image: freepik

What are the risks of delayed treatment?

Delaying treatment for a problematic wisdom tooth is not a good strategy. A temporary lull in the pain does not mean the problem is solved. It is most likely just a pause. 

Here are the real risks of inaction:

• Spread of infection – bacteria do not stay in one place. Failure to start treatment can lead to the infection spreading to neighbouring teeth, the gums, and in severe cases, the bone.
• Damage to neighbouring teeth – pressure from the impacted third molar can gradually destroy the roots of the neighbouring tooth, meaning the loss of more than one tooth.
• Cyst formation – a dental cyst may develop around the unerupted tooth, which destroys the bone and is significantly more difficult and expensive to treat.
• Chronic inflammation – untreated inflammation around the molar can become chronic and compromise oral hygiene throughout the mouth.
• Nerve damage – with lower third molars, there is a risk of damage to the mandibular nerve if the infection spreads due to a lack of treatment.

Early intervention is significantly easier, quicker and cheaper than treating complications. X-ray diagnosis provides a clear picture of the situation and helps to make an informed decision in good time.

Conclusion

Wisdom tooth extraction is not something to be afraid of. At Dentatime, wisdom tooth extraction is a painless procedure performed by an experienced oral surgeon under local anaesthesia or conscious sedation (medical sleep).

Initial recovery after extraction usually takes a few days, and full recovery up to a few weeks. The most common recommendations following extraction include rest, a soft diet, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol, regular rinsing and careful oral hygiene. Comprehensive prevention of infection after extraction involves strictly following the doctor’s instructions and taking the prescribed medication. 

Choosing a healthy diet with a vitamin-rich menu during the healing period aids recovery. If you are experiencing pain from a third molar, do not wait for it to worsen. Seek timely advice and ensure good dental hygiene and your own health.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the pain last when a wisdom tooth is coming through?

With normal eruption, the discomfort usually lasts from a few days to two or three weeks. If the pain persists for longer or gets worse, you need to see a dentist.

Can the wisdom tooth stop hurting on its own?

The pain may subside temporarily, but if the cause is an infection or an abnormal position, the problem will not go away without treatment. Delaying treatment may make the situation worse.

Is it necessary to have a wisdom tooth removed if it hurts?

Not always. The decision depends on the position of the tooth, the presence of infection, and its overall impact on dental health and bite. X-ray diagnosis and an experienced surgeon help in making the right decision.