How to Take Care of Wisdom Teeth Swelling
Wisdom tooth pain can be extremely annoying. The sharp tops of new teeth are very painful when they cut through the gums in the back of your mouth. It’s far better to bite the bullet and make an appointment to take care of the problem. You can look forward to a clean and pain-free mouth once you recover from your wisdom tooth removal. Part of the process is swelling, which can occur before and after your surgery. Here’s what you need to know in order to take care of wisdom tooth swelling.
Is Swelling a Bad Sign?
Swelling can be a sign that your body isn’t doing a very good job at handling your new teeth. Most people are in their early twenties when wisdom teeth begin to appear. Just like when you were growing taller as a child, there is some pain and inflammation associated with new growth. When swelling gets in the way of effective eating, swallowing, or speaking, it’s time to schedule a wisdom tooth extraction.
To sum up, swelling can be an indicator of something going wrong. Swelling could be a side effect of partially-sprouted or misaligned wisdom teeth. In these cases, they expose areas of the teeth and gums, which become highly susceptible to infections. It is also very difficult to floss when new teeth crowd your mouth, and understandably so. At the first sign of swelling, schedule your wisdom teeth removal treatment.
How to Reduce Wisdom Teeth Swelling
Whether you’re waiting for your upcoming wisdom tooth removal appointment or recovering from one, there are several ways you can help reduce swelling at home. One effective way is by swishing with a warm saline solution. You can easily prepare this solution in your own kitchen. By swishing several times a day, you can help kill bacteria and disinfect exposed areas.
Additionally, you can apply a cold compress to the outside of your jaw near the location of the swelling. Make sure to limit this treatment to 10 minutes so you don’t damage your skin. Once your skin has recovered its normal temperature, you can resume the treatment. Anti-inflammatory medicine can also help.
Make sure you continue rinsing your mouth regularly to give your mouth the best chance to heal. Be extra gentle if you’ve just had a wisdom tooth extraction. Don’t brush vigorously until your mouth has had a chance to heal. The swelling will go down within a few days and your mouth will be as good as new.