Wisdom tooth infection

Why it happens

A wisdom tooth that has only partly come through leaves a flap of gum sitting over part of it. That flap is impossible to clean under, so food and bacteria collect there. The gum becomes inflamed and infected, and because the space cannot be cleaned, it tends to happen again and again.

Symptoms

• Pain at the back of the jaw, often radiating to the ear or throat
• Red, swollen gum over a partly erupted wisdom tooth
• A bad taste or persistent bad breath
• Pain on biting, or catching the swollen gum with the opposing tooth
• Difficulty opening your mouth fully
• Swollen glands under the jaw
• Fever and feeling unwell in more significant cases

What helps in the short term

• Warm salt-water rinses, several times a day
• Over-the-counter pain relief as directed
• Keeping the area as clean as you can manage, gently
• Soft food, and chewing on the other side

How it is treated properly

First the acute infection is settled - cleaning out the area, and antibiotics where infection is spreading. That relieves it but does not fix it.

Then the underlying cause is dealt with. Usually that means removing the wisdom tooth, since the flap of gum will keep trapping debris for as long as the tooth stays partly erupted. Occasionally, where the tooth is nearly through and likely to erupt fully, removing the gum flap is enough.