Your wisdom tooth might hurt for several reasons, commonly because it's growing incorrectly, doesn't have enough room, or is causing an infection.
Painful wisdom teeth are a frequent issue, often stemming from how these late-arriving molars develop. According to dental insights, painful wisdom teeth can occur for a number of reasons. This discomfort should be addressed promptly as it can significantly affect your overall oral health.
Let's break down the main causes based on common issues and the provided reference:
Common Causes of Wisdom Tooth Pain
Understanding why your wisdom tooth is aching involves looking at its development and position in your mouth.
1. Crooked Growth or Impaction
One primary reason for pain is if your wisdom teeth have come in crooked. Unlike other teeth that typically erupt straight, wisdom teeth (third molars) often emerge at an angle. This can cause them to push against neighboring teeth, jawbone, or nerves, leading to pain, pressure, and misalignment of your other teeth.
- Impaction: When a wisdom tooth is unable to fully erupt through the gum line due to being blocked by bone or other teeth, it is considered "impacted." Impaction types include:
- Mesial impaction: Angled towards the front of the mouth.
- Distal impaction: Angled towards the back of the mouth.
- Vertical impaction: Growing straight but stuck below the gum line or jawbone.
- Horizontal impaction: Lying completely sideways.
2. Lack of Space
Your mouth may not have enough space for your wisdom teeth to properly emerge, as they are the last teeth to come in, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. If they can't fit properly in your mouth, they may become impacted (as mentioned above) or partially erupt, causing overcrowding and pain.
- Overcrowding: Limited space forces the emerging tooth into an uncomfortable or damaging position.
- Pressure: The tooth pushing against gums, bone, or other teeth creates painful pressure.
3. Infection (Pericoronitis)
A partially erupted wisdom tooth is particularly vulnerable to infection. When a tooth is only partially visible, a flap of gum tissue (operculum) can cover part of it. Food particles and bacteria can get trapped under this flap, creating a breeding ground for infection. This condition is called pericoronitis.
- Symptoms of Pericoronitis:
- Swelling and redness of the gum around the tooth
- Pain that may spread to the jaw or ear
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Bad taste in the mouth or bad breath
- Pus discharge from the gum
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Pericoronitis is a common source of severe pain and should be treated promptly.
Impact on Oral Health
Regardless of the specific cause, painful wisdom teeth can really impact your overall oral health. Issues like impaction, crooked growth, and infection can lead to:
- Damage to neighboring teeth
- Cyst formation around the impacted tooth
- Increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease due to difficulty cleaning
- Jaw pain and stiffness
What to Do About Pain
As highlighted by dental professionals, painful wisdom teeth should be treated immediately. Ignoring the pain can lead to more serious complications.
It is essential to see a dentist if you are experiencing wisdom tooth pain. They can diagnose the exact cause through a clinical examination and X-rays and recommend the appropriate treatment, which may include cleaning the area, antibiotics for infection, or most commonly, extraction of the wisdom tooth.
Here is a brief summary of potential causes:
| Cause | Description | Common Result |
|---|---|---|
| Crooked Growth | Tooth emerges at an angle, pushing against other structures. | Impaction, Pressure |
| Lack of Space | Not enough room in the jaw for proper eruption. | Impaction, Overcrowding |
| Infection (Pericoronitis) | Bacteria trapped under gum flap around partially erupted tooth causes inflammation. | Swelling, Pain, Pus |
Seeing a dental professional is the best course of action to alleviate pain and prevent further issues [learn more about wisdom tooth extraction options - link].
