If you're in your late teens to early twenties and experiencing pain and soreness in the back of your jaw, it's probably your wisdom teeth starting to come in. Often, these teeth become impacted or come in sideways, so it's important to speak with your dentist about them and the possibility of removal if you have not already. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to ease the pain caused by erupting wisdom teeth.

Rinse with salt water.

Salt water relieves the pain in a few ways. First, it draws moisture out of the tissues surrounding your erupting wisdom teeth, which reduces the inflammation in this area. Less inflammation leads to less pressure and less pain. Second, it soothes any gum tissue that is bleeding or has become exposed as the teeth push through. This reduces the risk of infection.

Just add a teaspoon or so of regular table salt to a cup of warm water, and swish it around in your mouth for a few minutes. Do this several times per day.

Sip ginger tea.

Research has proven ginger to be a powerful anti-inflammatory and pain relieving substance. Some medical scientists even feel that it's more effective than NSAIDs like aspirin for some types of pain.

Prepare yourself a pot of ginger tea by adding a few tablespoons of chopped ginger to a pan, and pouring in about a quart of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, and let it boil for thirty minutes. Remove it from the heat, strain out the ginger, and pour yourself a cup. Add a natural sweetener like stevia if you please. Sip your tea throughout the day.

Dab on some clove oil.

Clove oil was used as a dental pain reliever in the days before pharmaceutical drugs became common. It is also a popular ingredient in products for teething babies. You may be in your twenties, but when your wisdom teeth start erupting, you are essentially teething again. Thus, it makes sense to take advantage of the pain relieving effects of clove oil.

To use clove oil, dab a small amount of the oil into a cotton ball, and then wipe it over the sore area of your gums. Make sure you do not ingest the oil in large quantities, as this can lead to liver failure.

If your wisdom teeth are causing you ongoing pain, be sure to speak with an oral surgeon, such as Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Associates. If they are coming in crooked or are impacted, there is a good chance you'll need to have them removed.

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