Do You Have an Infected Wisdom Tooth?
An infection in your wisdom teeth can prove painful and even potentially dangerous. Here's what to do about it.
Sometimes referred to as third molars, wisdom teeth usually erupt, or become visible, in the back of the jaw when a person reaches his late teens to mid 20s. When wisdom teeth become infected, a visit to a dentist is usually in order.
Reasons wisdom teeth become infected
Your wisdom teeth can become infected primarily because of their position in the mouth.
They're often very hard to reach with your toothbrush and floss, which means they're frequently neglected or not properly cleaned. This can cause food, plaque and other debris to accumulate on and between the teeth, promoting bacteria growth.
Sometimes, a wisdom tooth doesn't erupt fully. When this happens, the tooth may be covered partially with a flap of gum tissue, which can also trap food, plaque and bacteria, resulting in a wisdom tooth infection.
Symptoms of a wisdom tooth infection
The most common sign of a wisdom tooth infection is pain in the area. In some cases, infected wisdom teeth may also cause pain in the entire jaw, neck and throat, as well as headaches.
Along with the pain, a wisdom tooth infection might also cause sore throats and swollen lymph glands just under the jaw. Swelling of the face and jaw, pus drainage and the presence of a bad smell or taste in your mouth are other common signs of infected wisdom teeth. You may also find it very difficult to chew or eat.
If you suspect that one of your wisdom teeth is infected, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible. He or she can diagnose the infection, or determine whether another dental issue exists, and start you on a course of treatment.
Seeking treatment for infected wisdom teeth
Dentists commonly prescribe antibiotics to treat infected wisdom teeth and will also usually recommend over-the-counter pain relievers and numbing gels to help relieve discomfort. Gargling warm salt water can also help soothe discomfort and speed up the healing process.
You don't always need to have infected wisdom teeth extracted. In some cases, the infection will clear up, and you'll no longer have any problems with the tooth. But if the infection recurs frequently or the tooth is causing problems, it may need to be removed once the infection clears up.
Did you find relief from an infected wisdom tooth? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on Oct. 18, 2012.