How do you get rid of an infected wisdom tooth gum?
You’ll need to take antibiotics to clear up an infection in a wisdom tooth. You may need to take this at least a week before having the affected tooth repaired or removed. Antibiotics help to heal an infected tooth and prevent bacteria from spreading.
Can wisdom teeth cause gum infection?
Pericoronitis can develop when wisdom teeth only partially erupt (break through the gum). Soft tissue growth over a partially erupted wisdom tooth is called an operculum. Bacteria can get trapped under the operculum. That allows an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause infection and swelling.
Will a wisdom tooth infection go away on its own?
A minor wisdom tooth infection may go away on its own within a few days. In the meantime, 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 best to avoid this.
How long does a wisdom tooth gum infection last?
The condition should resolve in approximately one to two weeks with treatment. If the initial cause of the infection is not treated, the condition will likely return. Complications can occur with pericoronitis.
Is pericoronitis serious?
While rare, a person experiencing pericoronitis can develop a life-threatening complication called Ludwig’s angina, in which the infection spreads into their head and neck. An infection that spreads to the bloodstream, otherwise known as sepsis, is also a rare, life-threatening complication.
What do dentists do for infected wisdom teeth?
When a wisdom tooth is infected, it’s important to get prompt treatment, as infection can spread to other parts of the body. During your appointment, dentist will clean the area surrounding the tooth to clear away food debris and bacteria, then prescribe a course of oral antibiotics.
Can I brush over pericoronitis?
If you have mild pericoronitis, it’s possible to get better with some diligent home care. You can gently brush the affected area to loosen up the plaque and bacteria build up. You can also use a Waterpik to get the harder-to-reach debris.
Does Listerine help pericoronitis?
It’s also advisable to use mouthwash when impacted wisdom teeth grow to get rid of food or bacteria that gets trapped between the gum and the wisdom tooth. ยน Rinsing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash will also help decrease the risk of developing pericoronitis, an inflammatory gum condition.