Why Does Wisdom Tooth Pain Come and Go?

Short answer – because that tooth is unpredictable. One day calm. Next day pain. If you’ve felt it, you know. A dull ache today. Gone tomorrow. Then back again after dinner. Yeah, confusing. Here’s the thing. Wisdom teeth don’t cause steady pain. They work in phases. Pressure. Relief. Then pressure again.

Let’s break it down –

1. The Gum Flap Problem
   This one’s big. When a wisdom tooth comes out halfway, a small gum flap stays on top. Dentists call it pericoronitis. Normal people call it “why does this hurt again?”
   Food gets stuck there. Rice. Bread. Anything chewy. Bacteria love that spot. Pain flares up. Then settles. Then flares again.

2. The Tooth Is Still MovingWisdom teeth don’t pop out in one go. They grow in stages. Push. Stop. Rest. Push again. Each push adds pressure on nearby teeth or nerves. That pressure hurts. Then eases when movement stops. Feels random. It’s not.

   My friend Sam thought his pain “fixed itself.” Two weeks later,same side. Same ache. Tooth was just back at work.

3. Mild Infection Your Body Is FightingSometimes, your immune system steps in. Swelling goes down. Pain fades. You think it’s over. Nah. It’s just controlled, not cured.
   That’s why wisdom tooth pain comes and goes instead of staying constant. Painkillers make this worse mentally. They mask it. Not solve it.

4. Food Trapped = Trouble LaterEver notice pain after a heavy meal? Food stuck around wisdom teeth is hard to clean. Especially back there. Miss one spot, bacteria build up. Pain shows up later. Then fades after rinsing or brushing better. It’s just temporary relief.

5. Impacted Wisdom Tooth PressureSome wisdom teeth don’t have space. They grow sideways or stay stuck inside the jaw.

   These teeth press on:

1. Nearby teeth
2. Jawbone
3. Nerves

Pressure changes with chewing, yawning, or stress. So pain changes too. That’s why it comes and goes instead of staying steady.

Why It Feels Like the Pain “Went Away”

Let’s be honest. It didn’t really go away.

Here’s why it feels gone:

1. Your body calmed the inflammation
2. You took painkillers
3. Food debris got flushed out
4. The tooth stopped moving… for now

That’s the pattern.

When You Should Actually See a Dentist

If wisdom tooth pain keeps returning, it’s a sign.

See a dentist if:

1. Pain returns every few weeks
2. Swelling comes and goes
3. Bad taste or smell shows up
4. Jaw feels tight or sore

FAQ’s

Q.1 Why does wisdom tooth pain come and go at night?

A.1: Night grinding, jaw pressure, and lying flat increase blood flow. Pain feels stronger.

 

Q.2 Can wisdom tooth pain stop on its own forever?

Ans.2: Rarely. If the tooth fully erupts cleanly, maybe. Otherwise, it usually returns.

 

Q.3 Is intermittent pain less serious?

Ans.3: Nope. It often means an early infection or pressure stage.

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