Wisdom teeth (the third molars of each half-arch) owe their name to the fact that they are the last to erupt, usually in late adolescence (in some individuals they do not grow at all). A wisdom tooth infection is far from pleasant and needs to be treated immediately. There are a few things you can do to reduce the pain until you have a chance to go to the dentist.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Recognize the signs of infection
Pericoronitis (the infection of the gum around the wisdom tooth) is a disease in which the tissue surrounding the tooth becomes inflamed and infected. It can be caused by a partial eruption of the tooth or by dental crowding in the area, which makes thorough hygiene difficult. To understand if your wisdom tooth is infected, you need to be able to recognize its telltale signs and symptoms. Here's what you need to pay attention to:
- Gums very red or red with white spots. The gum around a particular tooth will be very inflamed.
- Moderate or sharp pain in the jaw with difficulty in chewing. You may notice a lump-like swelling in the cheek, often very hot to the touch.
- Unpleasant and metallic taste in the mouth. This is caused by the blood and pus found at the site of the infection; you will most likely have bad breath as well.
- Difficulty swallowing and opening the mouth. This means that the infection has spread from the gums to the surrounding muscles.
- Fever. If your body temperature has exceeded 37.8 ° C, then it means you have a fever and your immune system is fighting an infection. In severe cases, fever is accompanied by muscle weakness; this situation must be evaluated immediately by a dentist or in any case by a doctor.
- In certain situations, the infection spreads to the root of the tooth and the dentist will perform an extraction.
Step 2. Rinse with a saline solution
Salt is a natural antiseptic and using salt water as a mouthwash kills bacteria. Prepare a solution by dissolving 3-5g of salt in 240ml of warm water and mix well.
- Take a sip of saline and rinse your mouth by moving the liquid around your mouth for 30 seconds, focusing specifically on the site of the infection. This way you kill the bacteria.
- After 30 seconds, spit out the water without swallowing it. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times a day.
- You can combine this treatment with whatever antibiotic your dentist has prescribed for you.
Step 3. Try a dental gel to find relief from pain and reduce inflammation
Gum spread gels are available in some pharmacies to help keep the infection under control and manage pain or inflammation.
- To apply this product, first rinse your mouth thoroughly and then just smear a drop or two of gel directly on the infected site using a cotton swab.
- Don't use your fingers to smear it, as you may introduce more bacteria than the gel kills.
- Apply the gel 3-4 times a day for good results.
Step 4. Reduce the pain
If the pain is moderate or severe because the wisdom tooth is infected, then you can take a pain reliever that also works on inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available for free sale at all pharmacies.
- The most common NSAIDs are ibuprofen (Moment, Brufen), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin. Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age, as it has been linked to the development of Reye's syndrome which causes liver and brain damage.
- Paracetamol (Tachipirina) is not an NSAID and does not reduce inflammation, it simply acts as a pain reliever.
- Follow the instructions on the leaflet regarding the dosage or follow the doctor's instructions. Never exceed the recommended dosage.
- Remember that each drug has a number of specific side effects, so always read the information leaflet before taking any medicine. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Step 5. Try the ice pack
If you can't or don't want to take medication, apply a cold pack to the infected area. This will numb the nerve endings (reducing pain) and keep inflammation under control until you are able to treat yourself properly. If the area is very swollen, go to the dental emergency room.
- Place ice cubes in a plastic bag or towel. Place the compress on the painful area for at least 10 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables, such as peas or corn. Do not eat these vegetables after defrosting and freezing them several times.
Step 6. Call the dentist
It is essential to make an appointment as soon as possible. If you don't get proper medical treatment to get rid of the infection, the bacteria will proliferate in other areas of the mouth and even throughout the body.
- Pericoronitis could have other complications, such as gingivitis, tooth decay, and cyst formation. Among the most serious situations are swollen lymph nodes, sepsis, systemic infection and even death.
- If your dentist is unable to see you immediately, go to the nearest dental emergency room or hospital; many facilities have a dentist available for emergencies.
Part 2 of 3: To the Dentist
Step 1. Discuss the most suitable treatment approach with your doctor
Your dentist will likely take x-rays to determine the severity of the infection and find appropriate treatment.
- Thanks to the X-ray, he will also be able to check the position of the wisdom tooth to understand if it is completely erupted or if it is partially included in the gum. The dentist will also evaluate the condition of the surrounding gums.
- If the wisdom tooth has not come out of the gum, it is necessary to take an x-ray to identify its position. All these factors determine the feasibility or otherwise of an extraction.
- Don't forget to tell your doctor about your medical history; your dentist will want to know if you have any drug allergies.
Step 2. Ask for a quote and find out about the risks and benefits of each treatment
Your dentist should explain the pros and cons of each treatment, list alternative treatment approaches, and offer you a quote.
Don't be afraid to ask questions: you have the right to understand the treatments you will be undergoing
Step 3. Let the dentist clean the infection site
If the wisdom tooth is about to emerge from the gums with no other problems and the infection is not serious, then the doctor may do a simple cleaning with an antibacterial liquid.
- The dentist will remove infected tissue, pus, and traces of food or plaque found in the area. If you have a gum abscess, a small incision may be needed to drain the purulent material.
- After cleaning, the doctor will recommend home procedures that you will need to implement in the following days. In some cases, they may prescribe a gum gel to control inflammation, antibiotics to completely eradicate the infection, and pain relievers to manage the pain. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics are amoxicillin, penicillin and clindamycin.
Step 4. Prepare for minor surgery
The main cause of wisdom tooth infection is semi-inclusion (or inclusion), a situation in which the gum tissue partially (or entirely) covers the tooth, favoring the accumulation of bacteria, plaque and food residues. If the tooth is included but positioned correctly to erupt, then the simplest treatment is to remove the gum flap that covers it instead of completely pulling out the tooth itself.
- Your dentist may schedule a minor surgical procedure, called an opercolectomy, during which he will remove the gum covering the wisdom tooth.
- Once the tooth is uncovered, cleaning the area will also be much easier, which greatly reduces the chances of recurring infections.
- Before proceeding, the doctor numbs the area with a local anesthetic; then he removes the gingival flap with a scalpel, a laser or with electrocautery techniques.
Step 5. Consider the possibility of an extraction
If you've had multiple wisdom tooth infections and it doesn't seem to want to come up on its own, then you need to weigh the opportunity to extract it. This procedure is also necessary in case the infection is quite severe.
- Depending on the position of the wisdom tooth, the surgery will be conducted by a dentist or an odontostomatological surgeon.
- The doctor will give you local anesthesia and remove the tooth.
- You will also be prescribed antibiotics and pain relievers to avoid future infections and manage pain. It is very important to follow the dentist's advice regarding good oral hygiene practice.
- You will also need to schedule checkups so that your dentist can check your gums and make sure they heal without any problems. The dentist will inspect the position of the opposite wisdom tooth to assess the need to extract that too.
Part 3 of 3: Oral Hygiene
Step 1. Brush your teeth twice a day
To avoid future infections, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene. The first thing to do is brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, because the stiff ones are too aggressive for the delicate enamel.
- Hold the brush head at a 45 ° angle to the gum line.
- Brush your teeth in circular motions, avoiding horizontal ones that damage the enamel.
- You should use the toothbrush 2 times a day for at least 2 minutes each time. Remember to brush up to the gum line and don't forget your back teeth.
Step 2. Floss daily
This step is just as important as using the toothbrush, as it eliminates bacteria and plaque that accumulate between the teeth and that the toothbrush cannot reach. If you don't remove the plaque, your teeth can become decayed and infections and gingivitis develop. Floss at least once a day.
- Grasp the floss firmly in your hands and slide it gently between your teeth in a back and forth motion. Do not let it "snap" violently towards the gums, as this could irritate them and cause small bleeding.
- Bend the floss into a "C" shape so that it hugs the side of a tooth, then slide it gently between the tooth and the gum.
- Hold the floss taut and rub it on the tooth by moving it back and forth.
- Clean all teeth this way without neglecting the last molar. You should always rinse your mouth at the end of the procedure to get rid of the plaque and bacteria that you have stirred up.
Step 3. Use antibacterial mouthwash to kill germs
This product allows you to control the population of bacteria in the oral cavity and have a fresh breath. Check that it is a mouthwash approved by dentists to be sure of its effectiveness and safety.
- You can use mouthwash before or after brushing your teeth. Fill the cap with liquid and pour it into your mouth; at this point, move it around the mouth for about 30 seconds and finally spit it out.
- You can use a commercial antiseptic product or rinse your mouth with undiluted chlorhexidine (available at the pharmacy).
- If you feel the mouthwash is "burning" and too strong, look for an alcohol-free product.
Step 4. Schedule of follow-up visits
If you have regular checkups at your dentist's office, you can effectively prevent wisdom tooth infections and other oral problems.
You should go to the dentist every 6 months, especially if your wisdom teeth have not yet erupted; in case of particular health problems, the doctor may also suggest more frequent check-ups
Step 5. Don't smoke
Avoid smoking or using tobacco in other ways when you have a wisdom tooth infection, as this will only aggravate the gum irritation and make the situation worse.
- In addition, cigarette smoking is bad for your overall health, including that of your mouth. Ask your doctor for advice and products to help you quit as soon as possible.
- Smoking stains the teeth and tongue, slows the body's ability to regenerate, causes gum disease and mouth cancer.
