If you’re experiencing pain when you eat or you have been suffering from bad breath, you could have a wisdom tooth abscess. If this is the case then you must visit your dentist right away. If left ignored, a tooth abscess can be dangerous.
The majority of us develop our wisdom teeth when we are in our late teens or early twenties. This last set of back molars rarely serves any practical purpose and in many cases, they cause oral health problems.
Because the modern-day jaw is often too small to accommodate further teeth, wisdom teeth often have to battle with existing teeth for a place in the mouth. In doing so, they may erupt at an odd angle or even become partially impacted, causing problems for the surrounding teeth and bone.
Because of their position at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are often difficult to brush and floss. Both impaction and poor oral health can lead to infection. As this worsens, it can result in an abscessed tooth.
What is an abscess?
What is an abscess?An abscess is an accumulation of pus that can form inside the tooth, in the gums, or even in the bone holding the wisdom tooth in place. It occurs as part of the body’s defence mechanism as it tries to prevent the bacterial infection from spreading.
When an abscess is directly associated with a wisdom tooth, it’s referred to as a wisdom tooth abscess although it’s the same thing as a dental abscess that can occur in any area of the mouth.
Usually, the infected tooth will be very painful, but occasionally it can go unnoticed unless your dentist happens to spot it.
What are the symptoms of a wisdom tooth abscess?
Various symptoms could indicate the presence of an abscess. These include:
- Pain when chewing
- Swelling
- Constant toothache or a dull pain
- Throbbing close to the wisdom tooth
Other symptoms may include:
- Bad breath
- An odd taste in the mouth
- Fever
- Swelling of the glands in the neck
If you develop a fever or swelling is making it difficult for you to swallow and breath, you have what is classed as a dental emergency. This being the case you should seek immediate help from an emergency dentist.
A wisdom tooth abscess could be potentially life-threatening and treatment shouldn’t wait. It’s classed as a dental emergency because the infection could spread into your jaw, the surrounding tissues, or even other areas of the body. While you’re waiting to see the dentist, try rinsing your mouth out several times with warm salt water to alleviate any discomfort or pain.
What should you do if you think you may have a wisdom tooth abscess?
If you suspect you may have an abscess around your wisdom tooth then call your dentist as soon as you can. At No Gaps Dental, we will do our best to see you the same day but if the swelling gets worse or it starts to affect your breathing, you should head to the emergency department of your local hospital.
If you can wait to see a dentist, then here are a few tips to follow:
- If it feels sore, then try and relieve the pain with over-the-counter painkillers such as Ibuprofen which also help reduce any swelling
- Use the other side of your mouth when you eat or drink and avoid consuming anything that’s hot
- Don’t neglect your oral health but take care to brush gently around the affected area with a soft bristle toothbrush
How is a wisdom tooth abscess treated?
An X-ray will quickly identify an abscess and can determine whether the infection has spread.
The goal is to rid the patient of the infection. Therefore, the first course of action may be to drain the abscess.
- If the infection is limited to the area where the abscess is located, the dentist may open up the pocket of pus, by making a small incision, and let it drain. The area is then washed out with a saline solution
- You will then need to take a course of antibiotics for 1 or 2 weeks to treat the infection.
- Wisdom tooth extraction – if the wisdom tooth is damaged or there’s a good chance of infection recurring, your dentist is likely to suggest the wisdom tooth is removed.
Wisdom tooth extraction can often be carried out chairside by our experienced dentists. A local anaesthetic is administered to numb the affected area and we can also provide inhalation sedation if you’re a nervous patient.
Recovery time can take from a few days to several weeks, depending upon the complexity of your tooth extraction so you may want to book some time off work.
Whether your wisdom teeth have come through or not, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with our dentists. We can take an X-ray to monitor their progression and identify if any problems are likely and whether there is a wisdom tooth abscess present. It’s far easier to remove wisdom teeth in younger patients because the tooth roots aren’t properly formed.
To prevent tooth abscesses from forming, it’s important to keep on top of your oral health at home. You should also maintain regular dental check-ups and cleans to enable our dentists to spot any potential problems in their early stages.
Don’t delay, contact No Gaps Dental and book an appointment today to schedule a wisdom tooth consultation to take an immediate check if you have dental abscess. With over 15 convenient locations situated in and around the Sydney Metropolitan area, you’re never far away from outstanding dental care.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.