What is a wisdom tooth infection?
If your wisdom tooth does not erupt fully into the mouth a pocket of gum can be found at the back of the tooth allowing food debris to collect here. If not cleaned this debris can become infected with bacteria and cause the gum to swell, pus to be formed within the pocket and infection to spread to neighbouring glands making you feel miserable.
How do we treat it?
At Kingscourt Dental Practice Co. Cavan. the infected wisdom tooth can be treated with the help of antibiotics and a cleaning of the area by your dentist. Warm salty mouth rinses will help it resolve. It can take up to a week to resolve and is likely to return unless some measures are put in place. Some patients will need extraction of the affected tooth (after the infection has cleared) to prevent further infection or to prevent damage to the tooth in front of the wisdom tooth.
When to call a dentist?
Most cases antibiotics are needed and the sooner they are started the quicker the resolution. If left too long advanced infections may mean that the patient cannot open wide enough for treatment in the dental chair and admission to hospital for intravenous antibiotics may be needed.
Can you treat at home?
The earlier the intervention by the dentist the better – however in the mean time you can try some remedies at home – such as cleaning gently around the tooth with a tufted brush to remove debris and using salty mouthwash to irrigate the pocket.
Is any of it covered on my Medical Card?
YES! The medical card usually covers the consultation if you haven’t been within the year and also covers any x-rays needed – the antibiotics – and the extraction if necessary!
Call 0429698751 Today if you are having Wisdom Tooth Problems!