Wisdom Tooth Infection: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat it?

Wisdom teeth are the molars at the back of your mouth, usually the last to erupt, typically between the ages of 16 and 25. While some people have no issues with them, others may experience cavities, decay, or other complications. Sometimes, wisdom teeth can become impacted or infected, leading to pain and discomfort.

In this blog, we’re going to break down why wisdom teeth get infected, how to tell if something’s wrong, and what you can do about it. Let’s get started!

How Wisdom Tooth Infections Start and How to Know If You Have One

A wisdom tooth infection usually starts when the tooth doesn’t have enough space to come in properly or when it’s partially erupted and hard to clean. This can trap bacteria around the tooth and lead to an infection. Here’s how it happens and how you might know if you have one:

How the Infection Starts:

1. Impaction: Your wisdom tooth might not have enough room to come through the gum, so it gets stuck. When this happens, bacteria can sneak in and cause an infection.
2. Hard-to-reach Spot: The back of your mouth is tricky to clean, and if you’re not brushing the area around the wisdom tooth well, food and bacteria can build up and lead to infection.
3. Gum Inflammation: If the gum around the tooth gets swollen (this is called pericoronitis), it can trap food and bacteria, which leads to infection.
4. Abscess or Cyst: If the infection gets really bad, you might get an abscess (a pocket of pus) or even a cyst.

How You Can Tell if You Have an Infection:

1. Pain: One of the first signs is pain at the back of your mouth. It could be a sharp, throbbing pain or just a constant ache.
2. Swelling: Your gums or even your whole jaw might get swollen, and it can sometimes spread to your face or neck.
3. Tender Gums: The gums around the wisdom tooth can be red, puffy, and really sensitive when you touch them.
4. Bad Breath or Taste: An infection can cause a nasty taste in your mouth or bad breath because of all the bacteria and pus.
5. Difficulty Opening Your Mouth: If you’re having trouble opening your mouth wide or chewing without pain, it might be a sign of an infection.
6. Fever: If the infection spreads, you might develop a fever, which is a sign that things are getting serious.
7. Pus: If you see pus or drainage coming from the gum near the tooth, that’s a clear sign of an infection.

What should you do if you spot any such symptoms?

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see a dentist as soon as you can. They’ll take a look, maybe do an X-ray, and figure out the best way to treat the infection. You might need antibiotics to clear it up, or they may suggest wisdom tooth removal if it’s causing bigger problems.

Can Wisdom Tooth Infection go away on its own?

A wisdom tooth infection might seem like it gets better on its own for a little while, but it usually won’t fully go away without some kind of treatment. Your body can sometimes fight off mild infections, but if you’re having pain, swelling, or trouble opening your mouth, it’s a sign that the infection is not going away. It’s best to see a dentist to avoid bigger problems later, like a more serious infection or an abscess. They’ll likely give you antibiotics or suggest removing the tooth if it’s the cause.

How Urgent is a Wisdom Tooth Infection?

It really depends on how bad the infection is. If you’re dealing with mild pain, some swelling, or a little fever, it’s still important to see a dentist, but it might not be an emergency. However, if you’re dealing with major pain, swelling in your face, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a fever, that’s a sign the infection could be spreading, and you’ll want to get to the dentist ASAP.

If you leave it untreated, the infection could get much worse and spread to other areas, which can be dangerous.

How to Prevent Wisdom Tooth Infection?

You can’t always prevent it, especially if your wisdom teeth are causing problems like impaction (when they’re stuck and can’t come through properly). But here are a few things you can do to help reduce your chances of infection:

• Good oral hygiene: Brush and floss regularly, especially around the back of your mouth where the wisdom teeth are. Using mouthwash can also help kill bacteria.
• Visit the dentist regularly: Keep up with dental checkups so your dentist can keep an eye on your wisdom teeth and spot problems early.
• Consider removal: If your wisdom teeth are always causing trouble, you might want to think about getting them taken out before they become infected.
• Be careful with food: Avoid really hard or sticky foods that could irritate your gums and make plaque build up around your wisdom teeth.

How is Wisdom Tooth Infection Treated?

Treatment really depends on how serious the infection is:

• Antibiotics: For a mild infection, your dentist will probably give you antibiotics to help clear it up.
• Painkillers: Over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen or Tylenol can help ease the pain. If it’s bad, your dentist might give you something stronger.
• Saltwater rinses: Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater can help with swelling and flush out some of the bacteria.
• Draining the abscess: If there’s an abscess (a pocket of pus), your dentist may need to drain it to relieve the pressure and help you feel better.
• Extraction: If the tooth is seriously infected or causing constant problems, your dentist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction eat. Once it’s gone, the infection should stop.

How Long Can You Go with a Wisdom Tooth Infection?

You definitely shouldn’t wait too long. If it’s a minor infection, it might improve on its own after a few days of care, but it’s best to see a dentist quickly. The longer you wait, the worse it can get, and the infection could spread to other areas. It could lead to serious complications, so don’t put it off.

If you’re having symptoms like severe pain, swelling, or trouble breathing, that’s definitely a sign you need immediate attention. The sooner you get treated, the better.

Wrapping Up

A wisdom tooth infection can occur if the tooth is impacted or hard to clean, leading to bacteria buildup. If are wondering whether you have it or not just check out for symptoms like pain, swelling, bad breath, difficulty opening your mouth, and pus. If you notice these signs, consult the dentist right away. Emergency Dental 365 can turn out to be your saviour for conditions like these. We are available 7 days a week. Remember that early treatment is important to avoid complications.