Wisdom teeth are the molars (back teeth) that erupt (grow in) at the very back of your mouth, behind your regular teeth. Most people have four wisdom teeth – one in each corner. Wisdom teeth usually come in between the ages of and For some people, wisdom teeth do not cause any problems and they can be left alone. But for others, wisdom teeth can become infected, causing pain, swelling and/or damage to the surrounding teeth.
If you think your wisdom teeth may be infected, it’s important to see your dentist or oral surgeon right away. They will be able to determine if your wisdom teeth are indeed infected and, if so, recommend treatment. Treatment for an infected wisdom tooth may include antibiotics to clear the infection, as well as removal of the tooth. Signs and symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth include: udden onset of pain in your wisdom tooth area welling around your wisdom tooth edness or puffiness in your gum tissue around the wisdom tooth ad taste in your mouth or bad breath ever If you experience any of these symptoms, call your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.
If you notice any pain, swelling, or redness around your wisdom teeth, it’s likely that they are infected. Wisdom teeth are the backmost molars in your mouth and often don’t come in until late adolescence or early adulthood. Because they are so far back, they are often difficult to brush and floss, making them more susceptible to decay and infection. Signs of an infected wisdom tooth include: · Pain around the gums · Swelling around the gums · Redness around the gums · Bad breath · Difficulty opening your mouth · A bitter taste in your mouth · Fever · Jaw stiffness If you think you might have an infected wisdom tooth, it’s important to see a dentist right away.
If left untreated, an infection can spread to other teeth and even to the jawbone. Wisdom teeth extractions are common procedures, so don’t worry – your dentist will be able to help you out.
How Can You Tell If Your Wisdom Teeth Are Infected?
How can you tell if your wisdom teeth are infected? Wisdom teeth typically erupt between the ages of and However, not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. In fact, many people have wisdom teeth that never cause any problems. Some people may experience pain or crowding when their wisdom teeth come in. Others may have an infection around the wisdom tooth, which can cause pain, swelling, and redness.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your dentist as soon as possible. They will examine your mouth and take Xays to determine if your wisdom tooth is infected. Treatment for an infected wisdom tooth may include antibiotics, surgery, or both.
What Are Some Of The Symptoms Of An Infected Wisdom Tooth?
It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth so you can seek treatment before the infection gets worse. Some of the symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth include:Pain and swelling around the gum lineRed and inflamed gumsBad breathDifficulty opening the mouthA feeling like something is caught in your throatIf you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a dentist right away. They will be able to diagnose the issue and recommend the best course of treatment.
What Causes Wisdom Teeth To Become Infected?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Because wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in, there is often not enough room in the mouth for them. This can cause the wisdom teeth to become impacted, or stuck beneath the gum line. When wisdom teeth become impacted, they are harder to clean and more likely to become infected.
Wisdom teeth can also cause crowding and damage to adjacent teeth. Infection of the wisdom teeth can lead to pain, swelling, and jaw stiffness. If the infection is left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the head and neck, and even the bloodstream. Treatment for an infected wisdom tooth usually involves antibiotics to clear the infection, and sometimes surgery to remove the tooth.
How Can You Prevent Wisdom Teeth Infections?
Wisdom teeth can be a real pain, both figuratively and literally. They’re the last teeth to come in, and often they come in crooked or at an odd angle. This can cause them to rub against other teeth, which can be quite painful. But even more painful is an infection of the wisdom teeth.
There are a few things you can do to try to prevent an infection of your wisdom teeth. First, practice good oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash. It’s especially important to brush and floss around your wisdom teeth, as they’re more likely to trap food and bacteria.
If you have diabetes or another condition that puts you at risk for infection, be sure to see your dentist regularly. They can monitor your teeth and gums and catch any problems early. If you do develop an infection, it’s important to see your dentist right away. They will likely prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.
In some cases, they may also need to be removed.
How Can You Treat An Infected Wisdom Tooth?
If you have an infection in your wisdom tooth, it’s important to see your dentist right away. The infection can cause pain, swelling, and irritation. In some cases, the infection can even spread to other parts of your mouth or body.
Your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection. They may also recommend removing the wisdom tooth. Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure that is typically safe and effective.
In some cases, the infection may go away on its own. But it’s important to see your dentist so they can monitor the situation. If the infection doesn’t go away or keeps coming back, your dentist may recommend more aggressive treatment, such as surgery.
What Happens If An Infected Wisdom Tooth Is Left Untreated?
Most of the time, wisdom teeth don’t cause any problems and don’t need to be removed. But sometimes they can become infected, causing pain, swelling, and other problems. If an infected wisdom tooth is left untreated, it can lead to more serious complications, such as cellulitis, which is a bacterial infection of the soft tissues. Cellulitis can spread to the lymph nodes and blood vessels, and if it’s not treated, it can be fatal.
Other complications of an infected wisdom tooth include osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone, and abscesses, which are collections of pus that can form in the tissues around the tooth. If you have an infected wisdom tooth, it’s important to see a dentist right away. They will likely prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection, and they may also recommend having the tooth removed.
What Complications Can Arise From An Infected Wisdom Tooth?
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop in the mouth. They usually appear between the ages of and Impacted wisdom teeth are those that do not have enough room to grow in (erupt) properly. When they only partly erupt through the gums, an opening can be created around them that allows bacteria to enter and cause an infection.
Other complications that can arise from impacted wisdom teeth include:Cysts – small sacs that form around the impacted tooth and can damage the surrounding teeth, bone, and nervesTumors – although rare, tumors can form around impacted wisdom teethResorption – when the roots of adjacent teeth are damaged by the crowded wisdom toothIf you suspect you have an infected wisdom tooth, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. They will likely take xays to determine the extent of the problem and recommend the best course of treatment.
Is It Painful To Have An Infected Wisdom Tooth Removed?
Although having a wisdom tooth extracted is a relatively routine dental procedure, it can still be quite painful for some people. This is because the wisdom teeth are located in the back of the mouth, near some sensitive nerves. Additionally, the roots of the wisdom teeth are often very long and require special care to remove them without damaging other teeth. As a result, people who have their wisdom teeth removed may experience some pain and discomfort for a few days afterwards.
However, this is usually wellanaged with overheounter pain medication.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Having An Infected Wisdom Tooth Removed?
Most people report that recovery from having an infected wisdom tooth removed is fairly quick and easy. pain and swelling are usually the worst in the first few days following the extraction, but typically go down quickly after that. Some people may experience lingering soreness for a week or two, but this is typically manageable with overheounter medication.
It is important to take it easy for the first few days and not drink through a straw or exercise vigorously, as this can cause unnecessary bleeding.
Conclusion
There is no surefire way to know if wisdom teeth are infected, but there are some telltale signs that may indicate an infection. These include pain, swelling, redness, and/or discharge from the area around the wisdom tooth. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible for an evaluation.
