Sometimes, wisdom tooth inflammation can occur, whether the tooth is impacted or partially erupted, leading to pain. So, what are the symptoms of wisdom tooth inflammation? What are the causes of inflammation? And how can it be treated? Follow us to find out the answers in detail.
What is wisdom tooth inflammation?
Inflammation of the upper and lower wisdom teeth can occur due to a bacterial infection in the teeth located at the back of the mouth, known as wisdom teeth.
Especially since this infection occurs due to the difficulty of cleaning these teeth, which leads to the accumulation of food that causes bacteria to form, especially in the pockets between the wisdom tooth and the gum.
Which ultimately leads to a breakdown in the enamel layer, and bacteria can cause the infection to spread to other areas in the mouth, especially to adjacent teeth.
Symptoms of wisdom tooth inflammation
A wisdom tooth can cause symptoms indicating that the tooth is inflamed and needs treatment. The following are some of the symptoms:
- Pain in the area surrounding the tooth, which may be severe in some cases.
- Pain spreading to other areas such as the jaw and side of the face.
- Affected gums, which is clearly visible, especially as the gums become red and swollen.
- Difficulty chewing.
- A change in the taste in the mouth with a bad odor emanating from it.
- Discharge from the area, which may be white or yellow.
- Swelling of nearby glands, specifically the lymph nodes.
- Elevated body temperature.
Causes of wisdom tooth inflammation
There are many causes that can lead to inflammation, including inflamed gums, gum recession, and neglecting oral hygiene, especially not using dental floss.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth
An impacted wisdom tooth is one of the causes of inflammation. Due to the tooth not fully erupting, bacteria and plaque accumulate, which stimulates inflammation resulting from infection.
Learn more about Symptoms and treatment of an impacted wisdom tooth
Wisdom tooth decay
Tooth decay in a wisdom tooth is one of the most prominent causes of inflammation, especially since wisdom teeth are more susceptible to decay due to the inability to clean them.
Learn more about Causes and treatment of wisdom tooth decay
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Inflammation may occur at the site of an extracted wisdom tooth due to an infection, especially if the extraction site was not cleaned properly.
Complications of wisdom tooth inflammation
Inflammation can cause problems that may sometimes be serious and affect the health of the gums and teeth. Among the most common problems that may result from inflammation are:
Dental cysts
Some fluid-filled cysts may develop near the wisdom tooth as a result of inflammation, as the fluids within them press on the tooth roots and can cause damage to the jawbone.
Spread of infection
In severe cases of inflammation, the infection may spread to other areas within the mouth, affecting adjacent teeth and the jaw. In some serious cases, the infection and inflammation can spread to the respiratory system.
In rare cases, inflammation may even spread to cause an infection that enters the bloodstream, leading to sepsis, which can significantly threaten a person's life.
Wisdom tooth gum inflammation
When the gum surrounding an impacted wisdom tooth becomes inflamed, swelling and puffiness occur, along with pus and jaw stiffness.
Treatment of wisdom tooth inflammation
Different methods can be used to treat inflammation, especially since inflammation is a condition that must be dealt with quickly, as its complications can lead to serious symptoms that may affect a person's life. Treatment methods can be divided into medical and home remedies:
Home treatment
Home methods can be relied upon to relieve pain, but they are not a strong solution. They will help relieve pain temporarily, but they will not eliminate the inflammation. The most prominent home methods resorted to are:
Saline solution
This solution is prepared using warm water and salt to be used as a mouthwash to relieve inflammation, and can be used several times a day.
Cold Compresses
These are compresses containing ice that are placed on the face near the inflamed tooth. These compresses work to reduce the swelling caused by the inflammation.
Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash
You can make a diluted hydrogen peroxide mouthwash by adding equal amounts of water and hydrogen peroxide and rinsing your mouth with it. This solution has antibacterial properties, which helps reduce inflammation.
Using Medical Mouthwash
Mouthwash is one of the most prominent and widely used home remedies, as antibacterial mouthwash is effective in reducing inflammation.
Cleaning the Area
You can use a toothbrush to remove food debris and plaque near the inflamed area, but it should be used carefully to avoid increasing the inflammation.
Clove Oil
Cloves are a natural way to help relieve tooth pain, as they have antibacterial properties. Therefore, use the oil by placing a cotton ball soaked in it on the inflamed tooth several times a day. This will help you feel better by reducing swelling and relieving pain.
Medical Methods
Here you can rely on medications, either painkillers you use before seeing a doctor or medications prescribed by your doctor:
Painkillers
يمكنك أن تتناول بعض المسكنات قبل ذهابك للطبيب، فهي تعمل على تخفيف الألم الذي تشعر به يمكنك استخدام الجل المسكن الذي يحتوي على مادة البنزوكايين كمادة فعالة أو استخدام الأقراص التي تحتوي على الإيبوبروفين أو الأسيتامينوفين.
المضادات الحيوية
يقوم الطبيب باستخدام أحد المضادات الحيوية عن طريق عمل كورس مكثف يعتمد عليها للتخلص من العدوى والالتهاب الناتجة عن تراكم البكتيريا، وذلك بعد أن يقوم الطبيب بتنظيف المنطقة المصابة بشكل كامل.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
يلجأ الطبيب إلى خلع الضرس كحل للتخلص من هذا الالتهاب، خاصًة وأن وجود الضرس في مكانه سيعني استمرار الالتهاب وانتقاله لأماكن أخرى.
Learn more about Methods of wisdom tooth extraction
علاج التهاب لثة ضرس العقل
يمكن علاج التهاب اللثة المحيطة بضرس العقل من خلال اعتماد الطرق المنزلية التي ذكرناها سابقًا إذا كان الالتهاب خفيف، ولكن في الحالات الشديدة سيحتاج الطبيب إلى اتباع واحدة من هذه الخطوات:
- استخدام المضاد الحيوي، والذي يخفف من التهاب اللثة ويتخلص منه.
- Inflamed Gum Surgery، والتي يتم فيها إزالة جزء من اللثة تحت التخدير للتخلص من مكان الالتهاب.
إن التهاب ضرس العقل شائع جدًا في حالة الضروس المدفونة، وفي حالة تم إهمال نظافة الفم، ولكن من الممكن التعامل معه بسهولة وعلاجه دون مضاعفات لدى طبيب الأسنان، يمكنك حجز موعدك مع أحد أطباء عيادات لورو لفحص التهاب الأسنان وعلاجه، Book your appointment now.
Frequently Asked Questions
كم يوم يستغرق التهاب ضرس العقل؟
يختلف الوضع من حالة لأخرى، ففي الحالات الخفيفة يمكن أن يستمر الألم لعدة أيام وفي الحالات الأخرى قد يستمر لأسبوعين في حالة تم علاجه وفي حالة لم يتم علاجه فقد يستمر لأشهر.
هل يتم خلع ضرس العقل وهو ملتهب؟
يمكن أن يلجأ الطبيب إلى خلع الضرس، وذلك للتخلص من العدوى وتخفيف خطر انتشارها لأماكن أخرى.
ما هو أفضل مضاد حيوي لالتهاب ضرس العقل؟
يعتبر الأموكسيسيلين والميترونيدازول والأزيثرومايسين هما أفضل مضادات حيوية يتم استخدامها لعلاج التهابات الأسنان.