Everything You Need to Know About Wisdom Tooth Infection
Understanding Wisdom Teeth and Their Role
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to develop in humans. In general, a total of four develop at the back of the mouth (two on top and two on bottom on left and right sides) during late teen years to early twenties.
Wisdom teeth received their name due to their typical emergence age being between 17 to 25, which is believed to be a time where individuals gain wisdom, maturity, and the experience of adulthood. According to history, the term “wisdom teeth” was translated from the Greek term "odontias sophias."
Common Issues Associated with Wisdom Teeth
As you may know, wisdom teeth do not always come in perfectly without problems. Issues such as impaction and wisdom tooth infection can occur in some individuals. Here’s what you need to know:
Impaction of Wisdom Teeth:
Tooth impaction refers to teeth that are unable to erupt fully through the gums. Wisdom teeth commonly become impacted due to insufficient space in the jaws for proper eruption. Other potential causes of wisdom tooth impaction include genetics, certain medical conditions, improper angulation of the erupting tooth, or tooth misalignment. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause various issues including pain, swelling, infection, damage to neighboring teeth, crowding and bite misalignment, and cysts or tumors. Early intervention of impacted wisdom teeth can help minimize the risk of long-term oral health problems.
Wisdom Tooth Infection (Pericoronitis):
Impacted wisdom teeth that don't fully emerge through the gums often trap food and bacteria and are hard to keep clean. This commonly results in wisdom tooth infection, also referred to as pericoronitis, which can lead to inflammation, pain, pus discharge, and swelling of the gum tissue that surrounds the wisdom tooth. An infected wisdom tooth requires prompt dental or medical attention, as the infection can spread to other areas in the body and be potentially life-threatening.
Other Dental Issues Related to Wisdom Teeth:
Wisdom teeth are more susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay because they can be difficult to clean effectively, which often results in harmful bacterial plaque accumulation. Other issues associated with wisdom teeth can include sinus pain or infections, damage to the roots or crowns of neighboring teeth, jaw pain, and trouble opening and closing the mouth.
Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Infections
How to know if wisdom tooth is infected? There are several common infected wisdom tooth symptoms to keep in mind:
- Pain around the affected tooth, jaws, ears or neck.
- Swelling, redness, and tenderness around the gums of the affected tooth.
- Facial swelling or swollen lymph nodes in your neck.
- Pus or drainage around the affected tooth.
- Trouble opening your mouth (Trismus).
- Pain with swallowing or chewing.
- Fever.
- Bad breath or taste in mouth.
When to Seek Dental Care
Treating early stage wisdom tooth infection can not only alleviate your symptoms, but also help prevent the infection from worsening and preserve your overall health. Although some discomfort is normal during wisdom teeth eruption, some symptoms require immediate attention by a healthcare professional. Untreated dental infection can be life-threatening. If you are experiencing severe pain or swelling, difficulty breathing, swallowing, or opening your mouth, fever, pus or drainage, swollen lymph nodes, persistent bad breath or foul taste, or other concerning signs or symptoms, seek immediate dental care for evaluation.
Causes of Wisdom Tooth Infections
Wisdom tooth infections can be caused by a variety of factors. Take a look at these common contributing factors:
Impact of Impaction on Infection Risk:
When wisdom teeth become impacted, gum pockets and flaps of gum tissue are often formed that can trap food particles and bacteria. These areas can be difficult to clean with regular brushing and flossing. The accumulation of food particles and harmful bacteria can increase your risk for infection including gum disease, tooth decay, pericoronitis, and abscess formation. If untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body.
Role of Oral Hygiene in Infection Prevention:
Poor oral hygiene is a common cause of infection. As a result of their location being far back in the mouth and their potential impaction, wisdom teeth can be hard to properly clean. To prevent bacterial accumulation that contributes to gum disease, tooth decay, and infection, make sure you are maintaining good oral hygiene practices and attending your regular dental check ups. Your dentist will identify if there are any problems with your wisdom teeth and recommend appropriate treatment.
Treatment Options for Wisdom Tooth Infections
If you are experiencing signs of wisdom tooth infection, your dentist will provide treatment options tailored to your individual needs. Common treatment options for wisdom tooth infections include:
Medications for Infection Management
Your dentist may recommend medications in conjunction with dental treatment to manage wisdom tooth infection. In some cases where infection is moderate to severe or has spread to other parts of the body, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help eliminate bacteria causing the infection. Over-the-counter medications including Tylenol and Ibuprofen may also be recommended to provide pain relief.
Dental Procedures
Description of cleaning, fillings, and extractions as treatment options.
- Professional Cleaning:
A professional cleaning allows your dentist to thoroughly clean around the infected wisdom tooth and remove trapped bacteria, food particles, and debris. Your dentist may prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash (i.e. chlorhexidine) to help reduce bacteria. - Fillings:
If a wisdom tooth develops a cavity, your dentist may recommend a cavity filling. Depending on factors such as the severity of the cavity and the position of the tooth, alternative treatment like tooth extraction may be recommended. - Extractions:
Wisdom tooth extraction may be recommended for various reasons. Wisdom teeth that are impacted, have limited space, or are causing pain, infection, tooth decay, damage to neighboring teeth or other issues are commonly recommended for extraction.
Surgical Interventions
Infected wisdom tooth extraction may be performed surgically. Surgical extraction is typically necessary for impacted wisdom teeth or teeth with severe infection or damage. In the presence of a dental abscess, your dentist may also need to drain the infection to reduce pain and swelling and promote healing before surgical extraction. Surgical extraction of wisdom teeth involves using special tools to make a small incision into the gum tissue and possible removal of a small amount of bone to access and extract the tooth.
Home Remedies for Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief
There are many home remedies that can provide temporary relief from wisdom tooth pain. However, it is important to keep in mind that professional dental care is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying causes of wisdom tooth infection. Continue learning more about home remedies below:
Effective Home Remedies
- Saltwater Rinse:
Helps reduce inflammation and bacteria. Mix approximately a 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, rinse, and expectorate. - Cold Compress:
Use an ice pack or cold compress wrapped in cloth to help numb the area and reduce swelling. Apply for 15-20 minutes at a time. - Clove Oil:
Eugenol in clove oil is known for its anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving benefits. Use a cotton ball to apply a small amount of diluted clove oil to the affected tooth or gums. - Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers:
Pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can be used to help reduce pain and inflammation.
When Home Remedies Are Not Enough
Home remedies are not a substitute for professional dental care. If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of wisdom tooth infection, it's necessary to seek dental evaluation. Only professional treatment can treat the underlying cause of wisdom tooth infection. Delayed treatment can lead to serious health issues.
Preventing Wisdom Tooth Infections
Importance of Regular Dental Checkups
Regular dental check ups are needed to help you maintain both oral and overall health. Regular dental check ups allow your dentist to monitor and detect any issues with your wisdom teeth early on before problems worsen. Your dentist will also perform a professional dental cleaning with the proper tools to remove bacterial plaque and calculus build up around your wisdom teeth to prevent infections.
Best Practices for Oral Hygiene
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is key to preventing wisdom teeth infections. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily, making sure to include your wisdom teeth. Also rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce bacteria accumulation. Proper oral hygiene is needed to eliminate harmful bacteria, prevent food impaction, and reduce inflammation.
How Great Lakes Can Help Treat Wisdom Tooth Infections
Why Choose Great Lakes
- Skilled, compassionate team
- State-of-the-art facilities and patient-first approach
- Easy scheduling and prompt appointments
Great Lakes Family Dental is here to help you with all your wisdom tooth needs. Our one of a kind caring and experienced team of dental professionals provides high-quality care that is patient-centered and top-tier. All of our convenient state-of-the-art facilities offer general dentistry and specialized care to support your smile for a lifetime. We know how important it is to be seen promptly in a time of need, which is why we make scheduling easy and accessible to all. Delaying treatment can lead to more issues, call us today to schedule!
