Since most of your teeth erupt during childhood, thankfully, you don’t have to remember what it was like for 32 of them to pop out. Especially given how the pain of one wisdom tooth is enough to rattle you to your core.
Although wisdom teeth tend to come out way later than other teeth, sometimes, their arrival isn’t as seamless. One wrong move, and you might have to deal with an infected wisdom tooth.
But in order to identify the problem, you need to know its symptoms. That is why in this blog, we’re going to be telling you how to spot these infected wisdom tooth symptoms, so you can get the treatment you deserve.
What Causes an Infected Wisdom Tooth?
In most cases, an infected wisdom tooth occurs due to impaction or a cavity.
Given how wisdom teeth are molars and tend to sit at the very back of your mouth, it’s sometimes hard to reach them when brushing your teeth. Thus, when your teeth aren’t clean, bacteria can easily fester, giving way for a cavity to take root.
On the other hand, if your wisdom tooth is coming in crooked or sideways, it could get impacted. Due to less space, when the wisdom tooth keeps clashing against the other teeth, it causes overcrowding.
It’s easy for bacteria and leftover food to get stuck in these narrow spaces, which is why it gets infected in the first place.
Infected Wisdom Tooth Symptoms
order to prevent an infection or to get treatment for the pain, it’s important to know what to expect. Here are some of the commonly known symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth that you should look out for:
1. Bleeding
Bleeding gums are an early sign that your mouth’s defenses have fallen weak. It could signal that the bacteria has started to take root within.
2. Difficulty Opening Mouth
Problems with opening your jaw and eating food are the biggest giveaways that something’s not quite right with your dental health.
3. Foul Breath
A case of rancid breath with a sour taste in your mouth are both symptoms of a wisdom tooth infection.
4. Heightened Tooth Sensitivity
If you wince in pain every time you drink or eat something, your teeth might be suffering from tooth sensitivity. This could signify that the infection is spreading and needs to be treated soon.
5. High Fever
High body temperatures aren’t uncommon when it comes to infections. It just means you need to get the infected tooth removed.
6. Jaw Pain
Given how wisdom teeth are situated at the back of your mouth, right at the jaw, experiencing jaw pain is a sign that something’s not quite right.
7. Pus or Discharge Around Gums
As disgusting as it sounds, if you find a pus-filled sac on the gums surrounding the wisdom tooth, that’s when you know it’s definitely infected.
8. Sudden Chills or Shivers
Besides having a fever, getting random chills or shivering when it’s hot outside is a sign the infection is getting worse over time.
9. Swollen Lymph Nodes
If you notice a bump at the base of your jaw, that’s usually a precursor of an infection. Which means you need to contact a healthcare professional immediately.
10. Tender and Swollen Gums
When your gums look angry, red, or swollen, along with being tender to the touch, it’s a dead giveaway that bacteria has settled around.
11. Toothache
A deep-rooted ache and the feeling your tooth is loose but still attached is a common symptom of an infected wisdom tooth.
Final Takeaway
To wrap it up, infected wisdom tooth symptoms are pretty easy to spot. From bad breath to jaw and tooth pain, these are common signs you need to be wary of. Nonetheless, if you suspect you might be suffering from a tooth infection, reach out to Vintage Oral Surgery at (281) 800-8852 to schedule an appointment today.