That dull ache at the very back of your jaw often has one cause: your wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth pain turns up most often in people aged 17 to 25, and it can range from a mild soreness to a throbbing that makes it hard to eat or sleep. While you sort out what's going on, a few simple things at home can ease the discomfort. Here at ArtSmiles, we'll walk you through why it happens, how to get relief, and when it's time to be seen.
Why do wisdom teeth hurt?
Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth to come through, usually between your late teens and mid-twenties. By the time they arrive, there often isn't much room left at the back of the jaw, and that's where the trouble starts.
Pain can come from a few different things. Sometimes it's simply the tooth pushing through the gum (eruption), which can leave the area tender for a while. Other times the tooth is impacted, meaning it's stuck against the bone or the tooth in front of it and can't come through properly.
A common cause is pericoronitis, which is inflammation or infection of the flap of gum sitting over a tooth that has only partly come through. Food and bacteria get trapped under that flap, and the gum becomes sore and swollen. Because wisdom teeth sit so far back, they're also hard to clean, so decay or gum disease can build up around them. And when there isn't enough space, the pressure and crowding alone can ache.
If your pain is severe or you notice swelling, it's worth knowing we offer emergency care for sudden wisdom tooth pain or swelling.
First signs of wisdom teeth coming through
The first signs of wisdom teeth coming through are often easy to miss. Many people notice a dull ache or general soreness right at the back of the jaw, behind the last molar.
You might also feel the gum back there is tender or a little swollen, and your jaw can feel stiff. Sometimes there's a bad taste or smell in that part of your mouth, which can be a sign of infection brewing under the gum.
In some cases the discomfort goes a bit further, with swelling of the face or trouble opening your mouth fully. If you're getting those stronger symptoms, that's your cue to have it looked at rather than waiting it out.
How to soothe wisdom tooth pain at home
While you arrange to see a dentist, a few simple measures can take the edge off. These soothe the symptoms, but keep in mind they're temporary relief, not a fix for the cause.
Warm salt-water rinses. Dissolve about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse gently. This helps keep the area clean and can calm a sore gum.
Gentle, thorough cleaning. Keep brushing around the area, even if it's tender. Trapped food and plaque make things worse.
A cold compress. Hold a cold pack against your cheek over the sore spot to help settle swelling.
Over-the-counter pain relief. Pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. Use it as directed on the packet, and check with your pharmacist or doctor first, especially if you have other health conditions or take other medicines.
Soft foods. Stick to softer meals so you're not putting pressure on the area while it's sore.
An antibacterial mouthwash. This can help keep bacteria down around a hard-to-reach tooth.
The main aim is to keep the area clean and comfortable until you can be seen.
What to avoid
A few things can do more harm than good, so it's worth steering clear of them.
Don't place an aspirin tablet directly on the gum. It won't numb the pain that way, and it can actually burn the soft tissue. Don't ignore symptoms that are getting worse, like spreading swelling or a fever. And don't rely on painkillers for days on end to mask the problem. They can hide what's happening underneath while the real cause keeps going.
When to see a dentist
Some symptoms mean it's time to book in promptly rather than manage at home. See a dentist if you have:
Pain that's severe, or that lasts more than a day or two
Swelling of the face or jaw
A fever
Pus, or a bad taste that won't go away (these can signal infection)
Trouble opening your mouth or swallowing
Infection around a wisdom tooth needs prompt professional care, because it can spread if left alone. If any of these sound like you, don't wait for it to settle on its own.
Does wisdom tooth pain mean it needs to come out?
Not necessarily. A sore wisdom tooth doesn't automatically mean removal. Some wisdom teeth settle once they've come through, and others can be kept clean and healthy with the right care.
That said, recurrent pain or infection often is a sign the tooth should come out, especially if it's impacted or impossible to clean properly. A dentist can assess your situation and talk you through the options. If removal does come up, our guides on what wisdom tooth removal involves and the cost of wisdom teeth removal in Australia explain what to expect.
Getting to the cause
Home measures soothe the symptoms, but they don't fix what's actually causing the pain. To know what's going on, a dentist usually takes an X-ray to see how the tooth is sitting, whether it's impacted, and whether there's decay or infection around it.
From there, the right step might be cleaning around the tooth, treating any decay, or removing it. The sooner the cause is identified, the easier it usually is to deal with, so persistent or returning pain is always worth a proper look.
References
Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Dental care. healthdirect.gov.au
Australian Dental Association. (n.d.). Oral health information. teeth.org.au
A note on this article
This article is general information and isn't a substitute for personalised advice from a dentist or doctor. If you're in pain or worried about a wisdom tooth, please get it checked in person.
When it comes to pain relief, only use medicines as directed on the packet, and check with your pharmacist or doctor first, particularly if you have other health conditions or take other medicines. The cover image for this article was generated using AI and is not a clinical photograph.
Frequently asked questions
How can I relieve wisdom tooth pain at home?
For short-term relief, try a warm salt-water rinse (about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) and keep the area gently but thoroughly clean. A cold compress on your cheek can help with swelling, and soft foods take pressure off the sore spot. Pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help if you use it as directed on the packet and check with your pharmacist first. These measures soothe the discomfort, but they don't fix the cause, so see a dentist if it persists.
Why are my wisdom teeth sore?
Soreness usually comes from the wisdom tooth pushing through the gum, or from it being stuck against the bone or the tooth in front (impaction). A very common cause is pericoronitis, which is inflammation of the flap of gum over a partly-erupted tooth, where food and bacteria get trapped. Because wisdom teeth sit so far back, decay and gum disease can also build up around them. Sometimes there simply isn't enough room, and the pressure alone aches. A dentist can pinpoint which of these is behind your discomfort.
How long does wisdom tooth pain last?
It varies. Mild pain as a tooth comes through can come and go over days or weeks as the gum adjusts. Pain from a trapped or infected tooth, though, tends not to settle on its own and can keep returning. As a general guide, if your pain is severe or lasts more than a day or two, or you notice swelling, fever, or a bad taste, don't wait it out. Those are signs to see a dentist promptly, because something underneath needs attention.
When should I see a dentist about wisdom tooth pain?
Book in promptly if your pain is severe or lasts more than a day or two, or if you have swelling of the face or jaw, a fever, pus, or a bad taste that won't go away. Trouble opening your mouth or swallowing also means you should be seen quickly. These can be signs of infection, which needs prompt professional care. Even milder pain that keeps coming back is worth checking, because a dentist can use an X-ray to find the cause and recommend the right treatment.
Written by Dr. Cristian Dunker, BDSc, MBA.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Cristian Dunker.
