5 Ways to Manage Jaw Pain After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Are you going through jaw pain and stiffness after your wisdom tooth removal? Well, jaw stiffness, throbbing pain, and discomfort after surgery are quite common and need time for healing. Depending on your age and surgery, these factors can have various side effects.
Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has a team of professionals who serve kids, teens, and adults with orthodontic issues. If you’ve recently undergone surgery, you can receive expert guidance on managing jaw pain following wisdom tooth extraction.
Furthermore, this blog will share how to get rid of severe jaw pain after wisdom tooth extraction using home remedies. Continue reading this blog to learn more about managing ear and jaw pain after tooth extraction.
Read: What Can I Eat After Tooth Extraction? A Complete Guide
Jaw Pain After Wisdom Teeth Extraction:
Most people in the US get their wisdom teeth removed on their dentist’s recommendation. There are many reasons why dentists recommend removing the wisdom teeth, such as:
Before removing wisdom teeth, some factors make it compulsory to get it removed. Additionally, some discomforts occur after teeth removal, which can be problematic for individuals.
The duration of jaw pain after wisdom tooth extraction is not definitively defined. It varies based on factors such as age, dental hygiene practices, and other individual considerations.
However, there are some discomforts post-extraction that one should keep in mind while getting the extraction done:
Read: 6 Reasons Why Your Tooth Extraction Hurts After 7 Days
Lower Wisdom Tooth Extraction:
After the surgery, the orthodontist will provide instructions on managing pain and swelling in the days following the procedure.
A dentist can understand the situation and predict how to care for your wound, including the stitches and gauze packing.
When you have a lower wisdom tooth extraction, it can result in jaw pain around the areas. It also causes trauma to the muscles around the extraction site.
When this happens, it is called a trismus and causes a restriction on opening your mouth as well.
Trismus also occurs as a result of the anesthetic injection at the site. The needle accidentally causes damage to the tissues.
Moreover, its symptoms include limited ability to open or close your mouth. Furthermore, it causes cramping in the jaw and makes the patient unable to chew or swallow anything.
Read: When Can I Take The Gauze Out After Tooth Extraction?
Home Remedies for wisdom teeth jaw pain
Having a wisdom tooth extraction can be a challenging experience. If you have extracted your teeth, visit your dentist.
A dentist can recommend better pain management. Meanwhile, you can perform some home remedies at home to recover from the trauma, such as:
- Use an ice pack on the cheek area for 15 to 20 minutes. Perform this a few times.
- Take over-the-counter medicines available for pain management.
- Use clove oil for mouth pain as it has antibacterial and pain-relieving properties.
- Perform massage by rubbing your finger in a circular motion. Do this massage for 30 seconds in one go.
Management of Jaw Pain After Wisdom Teeth Extraction
In addition to the pain management medicines, there are some other recommended ways that you must perform.
From performing massage on the cheeks and applying a cold compress, here are a few other exercises and tips that can be helpful.
Perform them two to three times a day to reduce the throbbing jaw pain after wisdom teeth removal.
1: Warm Compress
After using the ice packs for a day or two, use the hot towel to compress. This relaxes the muscles around the wisdom tooth. You can use a hot water bag for a warm compress several times daily.
2: Stretch your mouth
Another way is to perform some mouth exercises. Hold your mouth as wide as possible without pain for seconds. It is helpful with the lockjaw and can lead to getting rid of trismus.
Another exercise is to take your thumb and push on your upper teeth, and then use your index finger to push down the lower jaw. It helps stretch the muscles multiple times a day and helps overcome the limitation of your jaw.
3: Pain medication
If you have trismus and jaw pain, you can return to the dentist and ask for pain relievers. However, if there is an infection or inflammation, you may need muscle relaxants to help you recover soon.
4:Physical Therapy
With limited jaw movement, physical therapy is the solution. In such cases, therapy is possible with the right equipment and exercises to open your jaw faster.
If you are facing such an issue, contact your orthodontist and learn about certain stretching devices to help you recover jaw movement.
When should you contact the dentist after Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
When getting the removal done, it is important to be mindful of the side effects. Additionally, keep the following signs in mind and contact your dentist as soon as possible 9f you notice any one of these:
Having any of the signs can be very dangerous in the long run. If you check any of these signs, contact the dentist and share your concerns.
Take Away:
There is no way that you can stop your wisdom tooth from growing. However, the best thing is to visit your dentist and share all your concerns. If you develop any symptoms, contact your dentist to take control of the situation.
After removal, take the painkiller, perform a cold compress, and do the necessary exercises to stretch the jaws.
FAQs
How long does jaw pain last after wisdom tooth extraction?
Usually, jaw pain is relieved in three weeks after wisdom tooth extraction. If you are still experiencing pain and lockjaw after three weeks, visit your dentist and get insights.
How do you know if your jaw is infected after wisdom teeth removal?
If any liquid starts coming out of your mouth, such as pus or blood, this is a clear sign of widìsdom tooth infection. Moreover, fatigue, pain, and illness indicate that the tooth infection has spread to the body.
How do you fix jaw pain from wisdom teeth?
To fix the jaw pain after wisdom tooth removal, perform some exercises such as applying the cold compress, rinsing with salt water, and using cloves or clove oil to relieve the inflammation.
How do I know if I have a dry socket?
If you face severe throbbing pain lasting 1 to 5 days after tooth extraction and extending to the ear or eyes, it reveals you have a dry socket. However, a dentist can confirm this upon examination.
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