YOUR WISDOM TEETH PAIN, INFECTIONS AND EXTRACTION



What is Wisdom tooth / teeth

Wisdom teeth otherwise called third molars, may surface in a person's late teens, usually early 20s or little later in the life.

The fact is, that your mouth is usually not large  enough to accommodate the four additional teeth which are your WISDOM TEETH.

As a result, Wisdom teeth erupt at angles, sandwiching or pushing the other neighboring teeth or partially coming out above the existing gum line.

Every above issue outlined increases the risk of the tooth becoming infected.

Indications:

Listed below are few general and common symptoms of a Wisdom Tooth infection.


  • Pain in or around the teeth / tooth
  • Pain in the jaw or on the side of the face
  • Swelling or redness of the sums around the teeth/tooth
  • Bad breath
  • Difficulty in chewing food
  • Difficulty in opening the mouth
  • Lymph glands getting swollen
  • Mild to moderate fever
  • Yellow or white discharge from the site of tooth extraction

Reasons for Wisdom Tooth infection:

A Wisdom tooth may come up or surface partially in the beginning above the gumline or emerge at an angle, which is called as "Impaction", as per Dental science.

Impaction may occur if there is no sufficient space in the mouth for the tooth to come out or emerge fully, otherwise in a overcrowding situation.

Food debris and plaque can accumulate around a partially erupted Wisdom Tooth, making it susceptible to infection.

Pericoronitis  is the medical term for infection and inflammation around your impacted Wisdom Tooth.  According to a 2016 study, Pericoronitis impacts more than 80 percent of population around 20 - 30 years.

Cavities:

A cavity in a Wisdom tooth can cause it to become infected.  Because the Wisdom tooth sit at the back of the mouth, they can be highly difficult to clean the other teeth.  Flossing, if one is doing regularly, it may be difficult around the Wisdom teeth. As a result, these teeth are especially vulnerable to cavities.

Extraction of Wisdom Tooth

It should be noted that extraction of Wisdom tooth involves removing the teeth which is a common procedure for treating or prevention of further problems caused by teeth that are emerging or partially erupted.

It is more likely that an infection can develop at the site of the extraction.

Over 8.4% retrospective study found, that 8.4% of people who had undergone Wisdom teeth extraction went on to experience minor omplications, such as :-


  • Infection'
  • Bleeding post the extraction procedure
  • Temporary nerve damage
  • Dry socket, which occurs when a blood clot does not form at the site of the extraction.
Other causes of Tooth or Gum Pain:

Normally Pain in the teeth or gums may not indicate an infection, but can be a symptom of


  • Gum disease
  • Gum recession
  • Poor brushing or flossing habits
  • Cavity
  • Tooth grinding (Bruxism)
  • Cracked tooth
  • Worn out Dental fillings
  • Sinus problems

If tooth or gum pain lasts more than a few (2 to 3 ) days, do consult a Dentist, who will strive to pin point the cause of the pain and advice appropriate remedial treatments and cure.

Complications:

A Wisdom tooth infection sometimes leads to other related health problems such as :

Cysts

A dental cyst is a sac of fluid that forms near a tooth and a cyst may result from a Wisdom tooth impaction or infection.

Over time, Cysts can affect the roots of nearby teeth and they may even damage or weaken the jawbone.

Severe or recurrent infections:

A severe Wisdom tooth infection can spread throughout the mouth, jaw and upper respiratory tract.

In rare cases, the infection travels to the blood stream.  This is a condition known as sepsis.

Dentists normally remove Wisdom teeth at the first sign of trouble to avoid the risk of severe or recurrent infections.

Treatment:

The best treatment for a Wisdom Tooth infection and pain partly depends on the cause and severeity of the infection.

A routine treatment usually involves


  • A thorough cleansing of the affected Wisdom tooth and the surrounding /adjacent gums and teeth.
  • Use of antiseptic mouthwash
  • A course of antibiotics to treat the cause of the infection

The above methods will help get the infection under control, but the Wisdom tooth will still most likely need to be extracted.  This will help prevent further infections and damage to surrounding tissues.


Home Remedies:

A minor Wisdom tooth infection may go away on its own within a few days, Meanwhile, a person can take over-the-counter pain relief medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).

Applying any pain relief medication on or near the tooth can cause damage, so it is better to avoid this.  An affected person may find relief by using an antibacterial mouth wash , which can help keep the infection and associated inflammation under control.

It is essential to clean the affected area carefully with a toothbrush to remove plaque and food waste lying around the mouth and teeth.

The common home remedy is to gargle salt water solution twice or thrice a day to keep the infection and /or pain under control

When to see a Doctor:

If pain possibly or certainly emanating from an infection, which lasts for more than 3 to 4 days, or if there is swelling in the gums around a Wisdom tooth, please fix up a meeting with your dentist, who will work to identify the cause of the problem and initiate appropriate treatments.

It is quite common nowadays, that people delay getting dental treatment until their pain becomes severe and unbearable, or until they develop significant swelling.

Summary

Wisdom teeth can cause several problems.  There may not be enough room for them to come through, in which case they may emerge at an angle or never emerge fully.  This sets the situation for future problems such as cavities and severe infections.

Pain and Swelling are two common symptoms of a Wisdom tooth infection.  Visit your dentist if the pain exist for more than 2 days in spite of home remedy applications.

The dentist will clean the affected tooth and prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. A dentist may recommend the tooth extraction to prevent further issues.


Content courtesy:  Medical News Today

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