Wisdom teeth are the molars that erupt in the last and most posterior part of the jaw in the early 20s. There are four wisdom teeth, two in the lower jaw and two in the upper jaw. Some people may have fewer, more or none at all.
Wisdom teeth often erupt at an incorrect angle and damage other teeth. In some cases, they may get stuck in the gums and not erupt at all. The position of the teeth can also make it difficult to keep them clean and healthy. As a result, wisdom teeth have a higher risk of infection than other teeth.
Wisdom teeth that are partially impacted are more likely to cause infection. This is because bacteria can easily get trapped around the tooth.
If the tooth becomes infected, it can affect other teeth, gums and cause other health problems. Therefore, if an infection is present, it should be treated as soon as possible.
Toothache, bad breath and sensitivity are common symptoms of infected wisdom teeth. Some other symptoms may also be caused by an infected wisdom teeth.
- Redness and inflammation of the gums
- Bleeding gums
- Swelling of the face
- Jaw and facial pain
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Yellow or white discharge from the gums
- Difficulty chewing
- High fever
- Tremor
Normally, infected teeth are cured by root canal treatment. The situation is different for wisdom teeth. This is because wisdom teeth have fused or oddly shaped roots. Therefore, it is incredibly difficult to perform root canal treatment on wisdom teeth. In almost all cases, a full extraction of wisdom teeth is required.
Wisdom tooth infection can be very painful and require emergency care. Wisdom teeth extraction not only saves the infection in these teeth, but also prevents damage to surrounding teeth.
Rinsing the mouth with salt water, applying cold compresses, and using painkillers and numbing creams may provide temporary relief from pain and discomfort, although they do not cure the infection.
Maintaining good oral hygiene practices, avoiding sweets and regular dental visits can help prevent wisdom tooth infection. It is not possible to treat a wisdom tooth infection at home. This problem should be addressed by a dentist or oral surgeon. Some patients want to have their wisdom teeth removed even if there is no infection, to avoid problems in the future.
