Why Does Wisdom Tooth Pain Come and Go?

Reasons Why Wisdom Tooth Pain Comes and Goes

The following reasons may help you understand why your wisdom tooth pain comes and goes:

The Start-Stop Nature of Tooth Eruption

Wisdom teeth do not erupt constantly, but rather in spurts. Pain is felt when the tooth pushes through the gums during an active eruption phase; this is followed by resting intervals during which the discomfort subsides. This trend of 2-3 days of soreness followed by 1-2 weeks of respite continues until the tooth fully erupts or gets impacted.

Variations in Gum Inflammation

When food or germs irritate the gum flap that covers partly erupted teeth, it may enlarge and cause discomfort. Although maintaining good dental hygiene temporarily lessens inflammation, the region is nevertheless vulnerable to re-inflammation. During painful flare-ups, keep an eye out for redder gums.

Habits & Chewing Patterns

Chewing habits have a direct impact on pain levels. While hard meals, gum, or teeth grinding worsen the region and cause discomfort to vary, gentle chewing with soft foods provides relief.

Changes in Position During Growth

Wisdom teeth can cause pain by momentarily relieving pressure on nerves as they grow, but they can also cause new pressure sites, which can cause discomfort again. This explains why the location and severity of pain frequently differ.

Pericoronitis

There is a cycle of flare-ups (along with throbbing pain and foul taste) and brief improvements in low-grade infections surrounding growing wisdom teeth. Shortening pain-free intervals between bouts suggests a deteriorating infection that requires medical attention.

When Should You Be Worried About Intermittent Pain?

Here’s what you should do about intermittent wisdom tooth pain:

1. Monitor: The pain goes away for a few weeks or months. Keep an eye on it; this is probably common as your tooth adjusts. Maintain proper dental hygiene.
2. Visit Your Dentist ASAP: A growing infection or impaction may be the cause of recurring discomfort.
3. Get Evaluated: Chronic symptoms may indicate that there is inflammation or misalignment that needs to be fixed.
4. Emergency Care: If a fever or pus appears, seek emergency care as these are indications of a dangerous illness that has to be treated right away.