What should I do if my wisdom tooth is causing pain?

　　Toothache is not a serious disease, but it can be excruciatingly painful. It often disrupts daily activities—both eating and sleeping may be significantly affected. While toothaches are commonly caused by oral problems, many individuals also experience pain during the eruption of wisdom teeth. So, what should one do when experiencing pain from emerging wisdom teeth?

　　What to Do for Wisdom Tooth Pain

　　Wisdom tooth pain can be managed with localized treatment. Prompt intervention is crucial when local inflammation occurs. Clean the affected area daily with hydrogen peroxide solution, normal saline, or another sterile solution, then apply 3% iodine glycerin. Additionally, rinsing the mouth several times daily with furazolidone solution or compound borax solution may help. Traditional Chinese herbal external applications or local physical therapy can also aid in resolving inflammation. Acupuncture may relieve pain and improve mouth opening. If an abscess forms, incision and drainage may be necessary.

　　Antibiotics and standard anti-inflammatory medications are commonly used to treat wisdom tooth pain. For patients with a known penicillin allergy, roxithromycin or enteric-coated erythromycin capsules are suitable alternatives. In the absence of allergy, cephalosporins or amoxicillin may be prescribed. For adult patients without contraindications, metronidazole—often combined with other antibiotics—may be added for its potent anti-anaerobic activity. However, metronidazole carries significant side effects; therefore, patients must carefully review the drug’s contraindications and precautions outlined in the package insert before use.

　　Patients are advised to avoid exposing their teeth to cold temperatures and to adjust their diet accordingly—refraining from spicy or otherwise irritating foods. We hope this information proves helpful.