If your wisdom teeth have recently decided to wake up and introduce themselves with all the subtlety of a marching band, congratulations, you’ve officially joined the club that no one wants to join. Those little molars love to make an entrance, usually accompanied by throbbing gums, pressure and a general desire to nap until the drama is over. And yes, seeing an oral surgeon may eventually be part of the journey, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Before you start imagining medieval dental procedures, let’s walk through some easy beauty friendly ways to soothe that cranky corner of your mouth.
First, let’s consider cold compresses and the fact that they’re about to be your new best friend. An ice pack or even just a bag of frozen veggies held to your jaw can calm inflammation and dial down the throbbing. You’ll look slightly like you’re starring in a cartoon toothache scene, but honestly, who cares? Once you’ve got the coal compressors on the go, don’t forget the salt water. Yes, it’s basic. Yes, it works.
Warm salt water rinses are the dental equivalent of a spa day for your gums. They reduce swelling, fight bacteria and give your mouth a cleanse. Sure it may not taste very good, but swish a few times a day. But don’t get carried away. We are looking to soothe, not re enacting a tide pool. Along with those warm salt water rinses, don’t forget your anti-inflammatory pain relievers. Ibuprofen is something that you need to be taking if you are feeling swollen. It helps to bring down that swelling and makes the whole situation more tolerable. Just make sure that you follow the directions. More meds doesn’t always mean more relief, it just means fewer happy organs.
If your wisdom teeth are partially poking through the gum, food can get stuck back there, creating a gross little hideout for bacteria. Keeping the area clean is key if you want to minimize any pain. Be gentle when brushing the back of your mouth because your gums are already complaining. A soft bristled toothbrush can help you to clean without feeling like you’re stabbing your own face. But Speaking of food, this is not the week to crunch down on Kettle Chips or tackle jawbreaker candies. Stick to the softer food like yoghurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. It’s like a cosy dental vacation. No one can judge you free in Mac and cheese three days in a row if you’re medically obligated to do so.
One thing that nobody tells you is to avoid poking the area with your tongue. It’s really tempting, we know, but your tongue is basically a nosy little detective, constantly investigating, irritating the gums and then acting surprised when everything hurts more. Of course if things start escalating, like swelling that makes you look like a chipmunk or pain you’d rank ‘absolutely not’, then you need to go get checked out by a surgeon. Wisdom teeth love to cause chaos and sometimes the only fix is removal.
