While on the one hand, you may be looking forward to getting your wisdom teeth through, you probably know that they have a reputation for causing disruption in the mouth. One common problem is wisdom tooth infection, but what causes it and what should you be looking out for? Let’s dive in and take a closer look.
Wisdom teeth normally make an appearance in the late teens or early twenties and because they are the last set of teeth to arrive, there often isn’t sufficient room in the mouth to accommodate them.
As a result, they end up jostling for space, erupting at awkward angles, pushing into neighbouring teeth and sometimes getting stuck in the gums when they’re referred to as ‘impacted’ wisdom teeth.
Each of these issues has the potential to trigger an infection.
So what are the symptoms, how do you know if you have a problem with a wisdom tooth?
Wisdom Tooth Infection – Common Symptoms
You may have an infection in a wisdom tooth if you are suffering from any of the problems listed below:
- Pain in the jaw or the side of the face
- Pain in or around the tooth
- Bad breath
- Reddened or swollen gums around the tooth
- A fever
- Difficulty chewing
- Swollen lymph glands
- Difficulty opening the mouth
If you are experiencing any of the above problems, then we recommend you visit your dentist right away.
Causes of Wisdom Tooth Infection
There are several possible causes of infection in a wisdom tooth or where the tooth once was. These include:
An impacted wisdom tooth – Impaction happens when a person’s jaw has insufficient room for a wisdom tooth to erupt, in a situation referred to as ‘tooth crowding’.
Wisdom teeth may only emerge partially from the gum line or they can become trapped beneath it.
Either way, this can lead to inflammation of the gums and infection around the wisdom teeth. Sometimes soft tissue forms over the partially erupted wisdom tooth and is known as an operculum.
An operculum isn’t always good for your mouth because it tends to trap food particles causing bacteria to thrive. This, in turn, causes an infection which is often followed by an abscess that forms beneath the operculum. If the abscess isn’t treated, the infection spreads and progresses into pericoronitis. In severe cases, this can be extremely painful leaving the patient to call for an emergency dentist.
Cavities – A cavity in a wisdom tooth can also be the cause of infection. Because wisdom teeth are located at the very back of the mouth they are difficult to reach with your toothbrush. Flossing wisdom teeth can be even more difficult. As a result, these teeth are vulnerable to decay.
Wisdom tooth extraction – Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure to pre-empt problems caused by teeth that are struggling to erupt or get stuck. Infection can sometimes occur after wisdom teeth removal.
Continued discomfort and/or swelling after the first 2- or 3-days following wisdom tooth removal is often a good indicator that you have an infection. You may experience a yellow discharge from the infected socket which leaves a nasty taste in your mouth or you may feel sick or develop a fever.
Wisdom Teeth Infection – Complications
Sometimes an infection in the wisdom teeth can lead to other health problems. These include:
- A cyst – This is a fluid sac that forms near to a tooth that can be caused by impacted wisdom teeth or infection. Cysts can affect the roots of adjacent teeth and may even weaken or damage the jaw.
- Severe or recurrent infections – Chronic infection from wisdom teeth can travel through the mouth, jaw, and respiratory tract which in rare cases can enter the bloodstream. This causes a serious health condition known as sepsis. Many dentists remove wisdom teeth at the first sign of trouble to prevent recurrent infections.
Treatment For Wisdom Teeth Infection
Treatment for wisdom teeth infection generally depends on the cause and severity of the infection.
That said, treatment usually involves
- A thorough clean of the wisdom teeth and the surrounding teeth and gums
- An antiseptic mouth wash
- A course of antibiotics to treat the cause of the infection
These methods will help to calm the situation and get the infection under control, but in most cases, the wisdom teeth will probably need to be extracted. This is to help prevent further infection and damage to soft tissues.
Home Remedies
A minor wisdom tooth infection will often go away of its own accord in a few days. Taking over the counter painkillers such as Ibuprofen can help ease the pain and reduce any swelling.
Rinsing with warm salt water often provides relief from symptoms and can be done several times throughout the day to keep the area clean.
It’s also important to brush gently around the wisdom teeth to remove any food particles and plaque using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
When To See Your Dentist
If your pain persists for more than 3 or 4 days or you are experiencing swelling, then pay a visit to your dentist. He or she will identify the cause of the problem and suggest the best treatment.
Whatever you do, don’t delay visiting a dentist until the pain becomes severe or you develop significant swelling. Often, when this happens a person can require emergency care.
Whether your wisdom teeth have yet to come through or you are experiencing discomfort, get in touch with experienced dentists at No Gaps Dental.
Book online or call us on (02) 8806 0181 today to schedule a consultation.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.