How do wisdom teeth get infected

Impaction may occur if there is not enough space in the mouth for the tooth to emerge fully, in a situation called overcrowding. Food debris and plaque can accumulate around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, making it susceptible to infection.

The medical term for infection and inflammation around an impacted wisdom tooth is pericoronitis. A cavity in a wisdom tooth can cause it to become infected. Because the wisdom teeth sit at the back of the mouth, they can be more difficult to clean than other teeth.

Flossing around the wisdom teeth may be particularly difficult. As a result, these teeth are especially susceptible to cavities.

Wisdom tooth extraction involves removing the teeth. It is a common procedure for treating or preventing problems caused by teeth that are emerging or partially erupted. An infection can develop at the site of the extraction. A retrospective study found, for example, that 8. If tooth or gum pain lasts more than a few days, make an appointment with a dentist. They will work to identify the cause of the pain and recommend appropriate treatments. A wisdom tooth infection sometimes leads to other health problems.

Below, we describe some of these complications. 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. A severe wisdom tooth infection can spread throughout the mouth, jaw, and upper respiratory tract.

Your wisdom tooth infection is unlikely to heal until this flap of gum is removed, your wisdom tooth comes in all the way, or the wisdom tooth is removed. Wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, are the last teeth to come into your mouth.

This typically occurs between the ages of 17 and You may also have pain after your wisdom tooth is removed. Other causes of a toothache are:. Call your dentist and make an appointment if you have any pain or discomfort in or around a wisdom tooth. This area can be difficult to see. See your dentist for regular checkups to help prevent wisdom tooth complications. Good dental hygiene, such as brushing and flossing several times a day, can help keep your wisdom teeth from getting infected.

What does it mean to have an impacted wisdom tooth? An impacted tooth can happen for unknown reasons. Impacted teeth may be painful in some people who have them.

If you have an impacted tooth and it's…. Antibiotics are a common treatment for tooth infections to kill dangerous bacteria and prevent your infection from spreading. We'll tell you how long it takes and what you should expect in recovering from a wisdom teeth extraction. When left untreated, it can lead to dental complications. Find out the symptoms to watch for, and…. Here are our picks, tips for comfortable use, and how we went about choosing the best water flossers. Ready to narrow down your search?

The sugars in soda can lead to cavities and poor dental health. Here's why it happens and how you can prevent it. X-rays will help to tell if wisdom teeth might cause problems. Some wisdom teeth do not cause problems and do not need to be taken out. Sometimes, however, if your wisdom teeth are deeply impacted blocked from coming through , or for other medical reasons, you may be offered a general anaesthetic. Because wisdom teeth are large, the hole where the tooth was may be stitched to help it heal.

It is normal for your jaw and gum to be sore, swollen and bleed for a few days after having a wisdom tooth out. Bad breath and severe pain from the socket are signs. A dry socket can be successfully treated by your oral health professional. The roots of wisdom teeth are still forming when you are a teenager, so it is easier to take them out at this age. It may be more complicated if you wait until later in life, when the roots are fully formed.

Your oral health professional will talk with you about how to care for your mouth after having a wisdom tooth taken out. Some general suggestions include:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. If you don't have enough calcium in your diet, your bones will eventually become weak and brittle. Most cleft palates and cleft lips can be repaired so that appearance and speech develop normally.

Cold sores are blisters around the mouth and nose, caused by the herpes simplex virus. Discoloured, chipped or missing teeth can affect self-confidence but cosmetic dentistry techniques can help.