Wisdom teeth are frequently referred to as third molars. They typically appear in the rear of the jaw when a person is in their mid-20s. An impacted tooth is one whose ability to erupt through the gum has been hindered. That results in a great deal of pain, which requires a dentist trip. In addition, some patients may get an infection near their wisdom teeth. A patient should get treatment immediately because the infection may be severe to prevent further problems. Impacted wisdom teeth are frequently linked to having an infected wisdom tooth.
Some dentists argue that the positioning of wisdom teeth in the mouth is mostly to blame for the possibility of infection. Even yet, using a toothbrush and floss to get at them is exceedingly challenging. That suggests that they are regularly ignored or improperly cleaned. Plaque, food particles, and other debris build-up on and in between the teeth, promoting the growth of bacteria. As a result, wisdom tooth infection results. It's wise to seek treatment at a local dental NSW office if your wisdom teeth become infected.
You must follow the symptoms and get your treatment as soon as possible to maintain healthy oral hygiene. But, before we go ahead and jump to discuss the symptoms of wisdom teeth infection, it’s time to take a quick look at what is wisdom tooth infection and how it happens.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Your wisdom teeth are molars. They are the big teeth in the back of your mouth, often known as the third molars. They are the last teeth to erupt. The majority of people develop their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 25.
A wisdom tooth can do the same things as regular teeth:
- Decay
- Get a cavity
- Get impacted
- Get caught below or in the gum line
A dentist must treat you if your wisdom tooth is infected. But not every pain is brought on by a dental infection.
What Causes Wisdom Teeth Infection? - Reasons why it happens
Wisdom teeth that are difficult to reach and unclean:
Since your wisdom teeth are next to your throat, it can be challenging to clean them with floss or a toothbrush. This leads to an infection. This indicates that they may be neglected or badly cleaned. Therefore, material such as dental plaque and food can amass between and on the teeth, leading to the growth of bacteria.
The Most Vulnerable Wisdom Teeth Are Those That Have Partially Erupted:
Sometimes wisdom teeth might only partially erupt. When this happens, the gum tissue flap that covers the tooth may act as a pocket for bacteria that are fed by plaque and food, causing pericoronitis.
Pericoronitis and Its Consequences:
A partially erupted tooth's crown or non-root section may have soft tissue bacterial infection around it. This condition is known as pericoronitis. Typically, the crown sits above the gum line. Pericoronitis can affect other teeth as well, however, it typically affects the wisdom teeth. Infection is another typical symptom associated with wisdom teeth impaction.
An Environment for Bacteria to Breed:
Similar to a Petri dish, the gap left by partially erupted wisdom teeth can operate as a haven for bacteria, leading to pericoronitis or a wisdom tooth infection. Given how bad the situation is, treating such an infection effectively can be rather difficult. Similar to the hydra from Greek mythology, it is challenging to eradicate.
How do you know you have Wisdom Teeth Infection? - 10 Signs indicating Wisdom Teeth Infection
It might be difficult to determine if you have an infection when it affects your wisdom teeth or the gums around them because the symptoms of an infection can also resemble those of other conditions. A reasonable rule of thumb is to presume you may have an infection if you have two or more of the symptoms listed below. If you experience three or more of these symptoms, you should see your doctor or dentist right soon to determine whether you actually do have an infection and require treatment.
The following are some of the symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth:
1. Fever
Your body's natural defense against infection is a fever. Your body is trying to fight off something when you have a fever, which could be a wisdom tooth infection. If you still have your wisdom teeth and experience fever, you should visit your dentist right away to see if you have a dental infection because it is one of the most obvious indicators that you do.
2. Chills
While they frequently accompany a fever, chills can occasionally happen on their own. The cause of your chills may be fever and an infection in your wisdom teeth if you experience them in warm weather or if they linger for a long time. If you do get chills, check your temperature to see if you have a fever because chills typically accompany a fever.
3. Jaw Pain
The tenderness in the gums surrounding the infected wisdom tooth is always accompanied by jaw aches. Some folks also frequently have jaw muscular spasms. It is challenging to open your mouth because of that. Visit your dentist as soon as you can if you are feeling any pain around your wisdom teeth. Ideally, you should research wisdom teeth extraction in your area to determine whether you will have the tooth entirely removed.
4. Sore Gums
As wisdom teeth erupt, the gum tissue will naturally become painful. The level of pain you feel when you have a wisdom tooth infection is different from this regular discomfort. Your wisdom teeth area will be aching with pain. You'll have red and inflamed gum tissue. Your gums might even bleed occasionally. You could find it challenging to clean and floss around the affected tooth because the area will be so painful.
5. Bleeding gums
Gums that are infected will probably bleed quickly, usually merely from touching them. Your gums may be infected if you notice that they bleed after eating or brushing your teeth. ¹¹ When you brush your teeth, there shouldn't be any blood on the toothbrush or in your mouth since healthy gums should be pink and resilient. When you brush and there is blood in the rinse or on your toothbrush, your gums are probably inflamed for some reason.
6. Swollen Lymphoid Nodes
Infection is frequently indicated by enlarged lymph nodes, also referred to as swollen glands. Infection from a wisdom tooth may be present if you also have swollen lymph nodes and painful or inflamed gums. Antibiotic use may be helpful in reducing the infection. With your oral surgeon, you must go over your treatment options.
7. Toothache
Pain from a toothache is unlike any other kind of pain. On the inside of your tooth, the discomfort that seems like it is throbbing continuously may indicate an infection. Your tooth may be throbbing intensely or more subtly like it's got a dull aching that won't go away. A throbbing toothache is a sign that you require dental care since it indicates that there is some kind of issue with your teeth.
8. Having Trouble Eating
Chewing may be made harder by swelling and pain brought on by the infected wisdom tooth. Because of this, eating is painful. For the majority of patients, biting and chewing usually cause the discomfort to worsen. The pressure placed on the affected tooth is to blame for this. However, unpleasant infections cause you to lose your appetite. You won't have any choice but to get your wisdom teeth removed in this situation.
9. Having Bad Breath or a Bad Aftertaste
If your foul breath persists despite good hygiene, you might have an infection in your gums or a tooth. A rapid flush of salty, foul-tasting liquid in your mouth may indicate that you have an infection and that the abscess in which the infection is lodged has just ruptured. To find out if you have a dental infection, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist.
10. Sensitivity
By itself, dental sensitivity does not always indicate an infection of the wisdom teeth. However, if you experience several of the symptoms described above in addition to discovering that your teeth are now more sensitive to heat and cold than they were before, an infection may be to blame. If you bite down and feel sensitivity in your back teeth, or if your back teeth are sensitive to warmth, it may be an infection in a wisdom tooth. To find out if you have a dental infection, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Have you noticed any Symptoms listed above?... It’s time to visit the Local Dental Clinic in NSW
A wisdom tooth infection cannot be treated at home; a dentist or oral surgeon must handle the situation. In order to remove bacteria and food particles, the area around the tooth must typically be cleaned thoroughly. The next step is a round of oral antibiotics. You'll come back later to get your wisdom tooth extraction after the infection has subsided.
Do you believe you may be infected with a wisdom tooth? Call us right away to book your appointment or visit your nearest Local Dental Clinic. Rest leave on our team of expert Dentists.
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