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Wisdom teeth can lead to painful infections, including abscesses, especially if they are impacted or partially erupted.
This blog explains how wisdom teeth can cause an abscess, what symptoms to watch for, and when to seek professional care. You will also learn how Oral Facial & Implant Specialists can help manage and treat wisdom tooth complications and support your overall oral health.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Dental Abscess?
- Treatment for a Wisdom Tooth Abscess
- Ways To Avoid a Wisdom Tooth Infection
- FAQs
Key Takeaway
Wisdom teeth can easily become infected and lead to abscesses, especially if they are impacted or partially erupted. The most effective way to prevent serious problems is through timely removal and consistent oral hygiene.
What Is a Dental Abscess?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in or around a tooth. It often results from untreated tooth decay, gum disease, or injury.
If not treated, the infection can spread to nearby tissues, the jawbone, or even the sinuses. In rare cases, it may enter the bloodstream and lead to more serious health problems.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause an Abscess?
Wisdom teeth are especially prone to infection, and in many cases, that infection can lead to abscess formation. This is more likely when the tooth is impacted, partially erupted, or difficult to clean. Common causes include:
- Impaction: Impacted wisdom teeth are trapped under the gum or against nearby teeth. This creates a warm, moist environment for bacterial growth and infected material to accumulate.
- Partial eruption: When a wisdom tooth only partially breaks through the gum tissue, food particles and debris can get trapped in gum pockets, promoting infection.
- Cavities and decay: Wisdom teeth are hard to clean. Poor oral hygiene allows plaque and food debris to cause dental decay, which may reach the infected pulp and lead to a tooth abscess.
- Pericoronitis: This is an infection of the gum tissue surrounding a partially erupted wisdom tooth. It can become swollen, painful, and difficult to clean. If untreated, it may develop into an abscess
Signs of a Wisdom Tooth Abscess
Recognizing symptoms early can prevent complications. Watch for these common symptoms:
- Throbbing or severe pain near the back of the jaw
- Swollen, red, or bleeding gum tissue
- Pus drainage, bad breath, or an unpleasant taste
- Fever, facial swelling, or swollen lymph nodes
- Tooth sensitivity, pain while eating cold food, or chewing discomfort
- Difficulty opening the mouth or biting
These symptoms may indicate a wisdom tooth abscess. Schedule a dental evaluation as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading.
Treatment for a Wisdom Tooth Abscess
A wisdom tooth abscess needs prompt treatment to stop the infection and prevent it from spreading. Treatment may include:
- Antibiotics to control the infection
- Draining the abscess to remove pus and reduce pressure
- Extracting the wisdom tooth if it is the source of the infection
- Imaging and exam to check for deeper infection or bone involvement
- Pain relief to manage symptoms during recovery
Ways To Avoid a Wisdom Tooth Infection
Most wisdom tooth abscesses can be avoided with two key steps: keeping the area clean and removing high-risk teeth before they cause problems.
1. Know when removal makes sense
Wisdom teeth that are impacted, partially erupted, or hard to clean are more likely to get infected. If your oral surgeon recommends removal, do not wait. Taking them out early, often in the late teens or early twenties, can prevent painful complications later.
2. Clean thoroughly
If your wisdom teeth are still in place, brush all the way to the back of your mouth. Floss behind the last molars, and rinse well to flush out trapped food or bacteria. These areas are easy to miss and hard to reach.
3. Watch for signs of trouble
Pain, swelling, or bleeding near a wisdom tooth may be the first sign of infection. Do not assume it will go away on its own. Early treatment can stop an abscess from forming.
Schedule a Wisdom Tooth Evaluation in Deer Park, IL
Wisdom tooth infections can escalate quickly. If you are noticing pain, swelling, or signs of an abscess, schedule an evaluation with our oral surgeons
To book an appointment at our oral surgeons office in Deer Park, IL, call (847) 381-0106 or visit us at 21660 W. Field Parkway, Suite 220, Deer Park, IL.
FAQs
No, a wisdom tooth abscess will not go away on its own. While symptoms may temporarily improve, the underlying infection remains and can worsen over time. Without treatment, the infection may spread to surrounding tissue, bone, or even into the bloodstream. Prompt evaluation and care from a dental professional or oral surgeon are essential to prevent serious complications.
Common symptoms include swollen gums, tooth pain, difficulty opening the mouth, unpleasant taste, bad breath, and facial swelling. Left untreated, it may lead to a wisdom tooth abscess or dental abscess.
Watch for persistent pain, pus discharge, foul odor, or facial swelling after surgery. These signs suggest a possible abscessed area that needs immediate dental treatment or emergency care.
