Wisdom Tooth Pain: How Long It Lasts and Side Effects | Aspen Dental
Manage wisdom tooth pain, understand its duration and side effects, like ear pain after extraction. Get oral care tips!
Wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, are well known for being troublemakers, causing all sorts of dental issues when they finally emerge from the gums. If your wisdom teeth get infected, impacted, or inflamed, pain can become a problem. The good news is that most pain can be resolved by extracting the wisdom teeth. Here’s what you need to know about wisdom tooth pain, where it can present, strategies to relieve it, and potential complications of wisdom tooth removal.
How long does wisdom tooth pain last?
Some patients find their wisdom teeth come through with no issues, but others report pain and discomfort. How long wisdom tooth pain lasts depends on the patient and how teeth break through gums into the mouth. If wisdom teeth don't erupt, and remain in the bone, they are "impacted". Some impacted teeth cause no pain at all, others may be symptomatic. Wisdom tooth pain after extraction tends to last only a few days, but some patients may feel discomfort or slight pain for a few weeks following the procedure.
Can wisdom teeth cause ear pain?
Yes, ear pain may be caused by wisdom teeth. If you experience this pain, schedule an appointment with your dentist before it gets worse.
Ear pain caused by wisdom teeth
If you think your wisdom teeth might be causing your ear pain, it’s important to do the following:
Assess your other symptoms: If you’re also experiencing pain or stiffness in the jaw, fever, or any other symptoms outlined above, it may be more likely that wisdom teeth are the source of your ear pain.
Check in with your dentist: Your local Aspen Dental dentist can quickly look at your wisdom teeth and assess if infection or impaction could be causing problems. The dentist may recommend removal of the wisdom teeth, if necessary.
Removing wisdom teeth
Removing wisdom teeth is a common procedure done around 5 million times per year in the United States.¹ During your initial consultation, your dentist can answer any questions you have. They’ll also schedule a follow-up appointment a week after the procedure to ensure you’re healing properly and that any reported ear pain is resolved.
¹Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2008). A study of the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic health.
Possible complications of wisdom tooth extraction
While complications of tooth extraction are uncommon, there are a few your dentist will talk with you about, including:
Dry socket: A dry socket occurs when the blood clot in the socket comes loose and exposes your nerve endings or bone. The severe pain caused by a dry socket can present in the jaw, ear, and even sometimes in the eye. It’s important to contact your dentist immediately if you suspect a dry socket.
Infection: An infection can develop after the procedure when bacteria are able to enter the open wound, and it may present with a fever, pain, swelling, or discharge from the extraction site. Your dentist can help clean the infected area and provide an antibiotic, if necessary, to help eliminate the infection.
Nerve injury: Wisdom teeth sit close to nerves for the tongue, cheek, gums, ears, jaw, and lips. There are rare times during oral surgery that those nerves are damaged, which may cause numbness, tingling, or lack of sensation in certain areas of the face. Nerve damage typically resolves on its own; however, in some rare cases, it could be permanent.
Long-term complications of wisdom tooth extraction
While most side effects resolve within a few days or weeks, some patients may experience rare complications that last much longer. Some may have altered sensation in the mouth due to nerve damage or changes in bite alignment. If you experience any long-term effects from wisdom tooth removal, contact your dental care team for an examination.
Persistent wisdom tooth pain: When to seek professional help
If you have wisdom tooth pain, whether it’s before you have them removed or after, your local dentist can help. Pain can be the first indicator of a larger issue, like an infected or impacted wisdom tooth that needs to be removed before it gets worse. During a regular dental check-up, your dentist can check for signs of wisdom tooth problems and explain the next steps.
Wisdom tooth pain and complications FAQs
What are the risks associated with leaving impacted wisdom teeth untreated?
Leaving impacted wisdom teeth untreated could cause issues with crowding and damage to nearby teeth. If left alone, this damage could turn more severe and cause an infection, jawbone damage, cysts around the tooth, or tooth decay.
How can I prevent wisdom tooth pain and extraction complications?
Follow care instructions provided by your dentist to reduce wisdom tooth pain after extraction. Practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and taking medications as prescribed can all help limit complications after wisdom tooth removal.
Is it normal to experience swelling after wisdom tooth extraction?
Swelling is normal after wisdom tooth extraction as your body is healing. Swelling should resolve within a few days after the procedure. Contact your dentist about swelling that gets worse or lasts longer than a few days, as it could be a sign of an infection.
How do I know if my tooth is causing my ear pain?
The easiest way to know if your tooth is causing ear pain is to visit a dentist who can check your oral health and see if anything indicates a problem with wisdom teeth.
Does ear pain mean a dry socket?
Ear pain following wisdom tooth removal does not necessarily mean you’ve developed a dry socket. Contact your Aspen Dental care team immediately if you believe you have a dry socket.
Consulting with your Aspen Dental dentist will provide you with personalized insights and help you make a well-informed decision. For assistance, schedule an appointment with Aspen Dental.
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