How to Soothe Pain from Wisdom Teeth: 12 Dentist-Approved Remedies

Why Wisdom Teeth Hurt

• Erupting vs. impacted teeth: When wisdom teeth push through bone/gum or are stuck at an angle (impacted), tissue gets irritated and inflamed. Our wisdom teeth removal service can help if extraction is needed.

• Pericoronitis (gum-flap inflammation): A gum “hood” over a partly erupted tooth traps food/bacteria, causing swelling, tenderness, bad taste/odor, and sometimes jaw stiffness (trismus) or ear pain.
  

At-Home Remedies That Help

Rinses & Compresses

• Warm saltwater rinse: ½ tsp table salt in 8 oz warm water; swish 30 seconds; repeat 3–4×/day. Great after meals.
  
• Cold vs. warm compress:
  
• Use cold in the first 24–48 hours of a flare to limit swelling.
  
• Use warm later to loosen tight jaw muscles. (If swelling worsens with heat, switch back to cold.)

Topicals & “Natural” Options

• Benzocaine gel (short-term): Apply a thin layer to the gum; keep away from children <2; follow label.
  
• Clove oil (eugenol): Can lightly numb tissue. If you try it, dilute well in a carrier oil and dab sparingly; essential oils can irritate skin/mucosa.
  
• Peppermint tea bag compress (cooled) can be soothing.
  
• Skip tea tree oil in your mouth. Evidence is limited and irritation risk is real—don’t ingest it.

Medication Guidance (What actually works)

• Best first line: NSAIDs (ibuprofen/naproxen). For dental pain, NSAIDs—with or without acetaminophen—are preferred over opioids in adolescents and adults.
  
• Ibuprofen vs. acetaminophen: Both help pain; ibuprofen also targets inflammation. Combination therapy (ibuprofen + acetaminophen) can outperform either alone—but only within label limits.
  
• Avoid: “Aspirin on the tooth/gum” (it can burn tissue) and mixing pain meds with alcohol.
  
• Pregnancy-safe options: Acetaminophen is generally preferred. Avoid NSAIDs after 20 weeks (and in the 3rd trimester) unless your OB says otherwise. Always check with your OB-GYN first. 

Daily Oral Care While It Heals

• Gentle brushing around the sore gum with a soft brush; don’t skip it—plaque worsens inflammation. Regular dental cleanings and exams help prevent complications.
  
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or another interdental cleaner; water flossers with the ADA Seal are effective and gentle if flossing is tough.
  
• Irrigate trapped food under a gum flap (or, after extractions, in healing sockets) with a curved-tip syringe and warm saltwater as instructed by your dentist.
  

Eating, Drinking & Lifestyle

• Best soft foods: Yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, applesauce, smoothies (no seeds).
  
• Avoid: Seeds, chips, popcorn hulls, very hot/spicy foods, and alcohol while on pain meds.
• No smoking or vaping: Nicotine and suction increase swelling risk and can cause “dry socket” after extractions.
  

Sleep & Comfort Tips

• Elevate your head with 1–2 pillows.
  
• If nighttime throbbing is an issue, do a warm saltwater rinse before bed and consider a cold compress for 10–15 minutes.
  
• If you clench/grind, a nightguard (custom or OTC) may reduce pressure on sore areas.
  

What Not to Do

• Don’t lance or “pop” swollen gum tissue yourself.
  
• Don’t smear aspirin on gums (chemical burn).
  
• Don’t use full-strength essential oils on mucosa.
  
• Avoid intense heat in the first 24 hours of a flare.
  

When to Call a Dentist (Red Flags)

• Fever, worsening swelling, foul taste/pus, jaw stiffness (trismus), painful swallowing, or any trouble breathing.
  
• Pain that persists or keeps recurring despite home care.

These can signal infection (pericoronitis) or impaction that needs treatment. Seek urgent dental care for breathing/swallowing issues.

Our emergency dentistry services are available for severe symptoms.

In-Office Relief Options

• Professional irrigation/cleaning under the gum flap and removal of trapped debris. Short-term antiseptics (e.g., chlorhexidine rinse) or antibiotics may be used when infection is present.
  
  
• Operculectomy vs. extraction:
  
• If the tooth is erupting into a good position, removing the gum flap (operculectomy) can stop food trapping.
  
• If the tooth is impacted/poorly positioned or infections keep returning, extraction is usually the predictable solution. Your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon.
  

After an Extraction (If Recommended)

• Normal healing: Soreness/swelling for a few days; steady improvement over a week.
  
• Protect the clot: No straws, spitting, smoking, or vigorous rinsing early on. Stick to soft foods and gentle hygiene.
  
• Watch for dry socket: Increasing pain 2–4 days post-op, bad breath/taste—call us if this happens.
  

Special Considerations

• Pregnancy: Prefer acetaminophen; avoid NSAIDs after 20 weeks unless advised by your OB. Rinses and cold compresses are safe.
  
• Teens/orthodontic patients: Braces can trap food around erupting wisdom teeth—daily interdental cleaning and water flossers help. Learn more about our clear ceramic braces options.
  
• Medical conditions/blood thinners: Always check with your dentist/physician before using NSAIDs.
  

Prevention & Long-Term Plan

• Routine exams & X-rays let us track wisdom teeth early.
  
• Consistent hygiene (brushing + interdental cleaning) lowers the risk of pericoronitis.
  
• Proactive removal can make sense if impaction or repeated infections are likely; your dentist will weigh risks/benefits with you.

Are You Ready?

Severe symptoms? We hold same-day or next-day openings for urgent wisdom-tooth problems. Call West Valley Dental or book online—our team will get you comfortable and explain all your options clearly.