Wisdom teeth are the last molars to come in, usually in your late teens or early 20s. Some people can have wisdom teeth that cause no problems. However, not all of them are like this. Some can cause infections. Therefore, you must understand infected wisdom tooth symptoms to avoid delay in your treatment.
Possible Causes of a Wisdom Tooth Infection
Following are some potential causes why a wisdom tooth infection can happen:
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Wisdom Tooth Impaction
A wisdom tooth might come in only partly or at an angle, a condition known as impaction. This happens if there’s not enough space in the mouth, called overcrowding. Food and plaque can build up around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, making it prone to infection. The term for infection and inflammation around an impacted wisdom tooth is pericoronitis.
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Cavities
Cavities in a wisdom tooth can trigger infection. Wisdom teeth are at the back of the mouth. Therefore, they can be harder to clean properly, making them more likely to get cavities. Flossing around these teeth can also be challenging.
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Wisdom Tooth Extraction
After wisdom teeth extraction, an infection can sometimes develop at the extraction site. A study found that about 8.4% of people who had their wisdom teeth extracted experienced minor problems like:
- Infection
- Bleeding after the surgery
- Temporary nerve damage
- Dry socket, which happens when a blood clot doesn’t form at the extraction site
Infected Wisdom Tooth Symptoms
At times, wisdom tooth infection shows no clear signs. However, most of the time, it indicates the following symptoms:
- Pain in or around the tooth
- Pain in the jaw or side of the face
- Swelling or redness of the gums around the tooth
- Bad breath
- Trouble chewing
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Swollen lymph glands
- A fever
- If a tooth was removed by a dentist, yellow or white discharge from the extraction site
Treatment Options for Wisdom Tooth Infection
Wisdom teeth infections usually have a recurring nature. Therefore, you must discuss the long-term treatment options with your dentist. Some of them include:
- Improving cleaning and oral hygiene in the affected area
- Having the area cleaned by a dentist
- Using antibiotics if prescribed
- Removing the wisdom teeth
If you avoid wisdom tooth extraction, the infections will continue to bother you. People with other health issues, especially those with weakened immune systems, can face more complications from these infections.
When Is the High Time to See Your Dentist?
If you have pain, possibly from an infection, that lasts more than 3–4 days, or if you notice swelling around a wisdom tooth, see a dentist. The dentist will find out what’s causing the problem and suggest the right treatment.
Many people wait until their pain becomes intense or they have serious swelling before seeking help. In such cases, emergency care works as a last resort. For example, pericoronitis causes about 6–9% of emergency dental visits each year.
Ending Note
Pain and swelling are common infected wisdom tooth symptoms. Especially, if these symptoms last more than a few days, see a dentist. The dentist will clean the affected tooth and probably prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Visit our board-certified periodontist, Dr. Bader Abdeen, at Cypress Periodontics and Dental Implants. Our periodontist fosters effective and painless experiences during dental treatments. Call us at (281) 677-0222 for an appointment.