Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Using home remedies
• Part 2 of 3: Going to the dentist
• Part 3 of 3: Maintaining good oral hygiene
• Tips
• Warnings

Wisdom teeth (third molars) are called this because they are usually the last teeth to emerge, often in late adolescence. Some people don't have wisdom teeth at all. An inflamed wisdom tooth can be very unpleasant and usually requires immediate action. You can take a few steps to relieve the pain until you can see the dentist.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Using home remedies

1. Know what to look for. Pericoronitis (the infection around the wisdom tooth) occurs when the tissue around a wisdom tooth becomes infected and inflamed. It can be caused when only part of the tooth has "come through," or when crowding near the wisdom teeth has made flossing and proper brushing difficult. To find out if your wisdom tooth is inflamed, it is important to be able to identify the signs and symptoms. Please note the following:
   • Bright red gums or red with white patches on your gums. The gums around the molar will be inflamed.
   • Moderate to severe jaw pain and difficulty chewing. You may see a swelling that looks like a small bulge in your cheek. The swollen area may also feel warm.
   • An unpleasant metallic taste in your mouth. This is caused by blood and pus at the site of the infection. This can also cause bad breath.
   • Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing. This could mean that the infection has spread from the gums to the surrounding muscles.
   • Fever. A body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius indicates you have a fever, which means your body is fighting an infection. In severe cases, the infection may be accompanied by muscle weakness. If this is the case, you should see a dentist or doctor right away.
   • In some cases, the tooth root can also be inflamed. If so, the dentist will likely pull the tooth.
2. Rinse your mouth with a saline solution. Salt is naturally antiseptic. Saline solution can help kill the bacteria in your mouth. Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt to 250 ml of lukewarm water. Stir it well to dissolve the salt.
   • Take a sip of the saline solution and swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds, trying to reach the infection site to kill the bacteria.
   • Spit out the salt water after 30 seconds - don't swallow it. Repeat this process 3-4 times a day.
   • You can combine this treatment with any antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
3. Use a dental gel to relieve pain and inflammation. You may be able to purchase antibacterial dental gel from your local drugstore. This gel helps fight the infection and relieve any pain or inflammation.
   • First rinse your mouth thoroughly and then apply one or two drops of the gel directly to the affected area with a cotton swab.
   • Do not use your fingers to apply the gel as you risk getting bacteria on the area.
   • Apply the tooth gel 3-4 times a day for best results.
4. Try to relieve the pain. If you have severe discomfort from the wisdom tooth infection, you can take a pain reliever that is also anti-inflammatory. Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available at pharmacies and drug stores.
   • Aspirin, ibuprofen (including Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) are the best known NSAIDs. Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 18, as this appears to be related to the possible development of Reye's Syndrome, which causes brain and liver damage.
   • Paracetamol is not an NSAID and does not reduce inflammation, but it is a pain reliever.
   • Follow the instructions on the package for the correct dosage, or your doctor's instructions, and do not exceed the maximum dosage.
   • Keep in mind that any drug has side effects, so read the package insert before taking any medication. If necessary, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
5. Use a cold compress. If you don't want to take any medication, apply a cold compress to the affected area. It will relieve pain and reduce inflammation until you can be treated for it. If the swelling is severe, get immediate medical attention.
   • Put ice cubes in a plastic bag or towel. Keep the bag pressed against the painful area for at least ten minutes.
   • You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables, such as peas and corn. (Do not eat frozen vegetables that have been thawed and re-frozen.)
6. Call the dentist. It is very important that you make an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible. If you don't get adequate medical treatment for your infection, it can spread to other parts of your mouth and body.
   • Pericoronitis can also lead to other complications, such as gum disease, tooth decay and the development of the cysts. More serious complications include swollen lymph nodes, septicemia, systemic infection and possibly even death.
   • If the dentist cannot examine you right away, see your doctor or go to the hospital immediately. Dentists are also available at many GP practices.

Part 2 of 3: Going to the dentist

1. Consult the treatment with the dentist. He / she will examine the affected area and take an X-ray to determine the severity of the situation and give you the best treatment.
   • He / she will examine the position of the tooth to see if it appears to be completely or partially emanating from the gum. The dentist will also examine the condition of the surrounding gums.
   • If the wisdom tooth has not yet broken, the dentist can take an X-ray to locate the tooth and determine its position. These factors will affect whether or not the tooth will need to be removed.
   • Don't forget to bring your medical history. The dentist wants to know if you are allergic to any medication.
2. Ask about the costs, risks and benefits of a treatment. Talk to the dentist about how much the procedure will cost. You should also ask about any risks and benefits of the treatment, as well as any alternative treatments that may be available.
   • Don't be afraid to ask questions. You have the right to know everything about your medical care.
3. Have the dentist clean the affected area. If the wisdom tooth is about to break through without any problems or the infection is not too severe, the dentist may be able to reverse the infection by simply cleaning the area with an antiseptic solution.
   • The dentist will remove any inflamed tissue, pus, food, or plaque from the area. If an abscess has formed on the gum, a small incision will sometimes need to be made to drain the pus.
   • After cleaning, the dentist will recommend certain self-care products that you should use for the next few days. These may include mouth gels to reduce inflammation, antibiotics for the infection, and painkillers to relieve any pain. Commonly prescribed antibiotics are amoxicillin, clindamycin and penicillin.
4. Prepare yourself for minor surgery. One of the leading causes of wisdom tooth infection is an infection of the gums covering the wisdom tooth (the flap), due to bacteria, plaque and food debris trapped underneath. If the tooth is still buried in the gum (but positioned correctly to break through) it is often easier to remove the flap with the infected gum than the tooth itself.
   • The dentist can make an appointment for a minor surgery (operculectomy), in which the gums covering the wisdom tooth are removed.
   • Once removed, the area will be a lot easier to care for and will be kept free of plaque and bacteria, greatly reducing the chance of the wisdom tooth becoming inflamed.
   • Before the procedure, the dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic. He / she will remove the flap with the inflamed tissue using surgical scalpel blades, lasers, or electrocautery (burn away).
5. Consider having the tooth extracted. If you've had multiple infections and your wisdom tooth doesn't seem to come through, you may need to have the tooth removed. Extraction may also be required if the infection is very severe.
   • Depending on the position of the molar, the extraction will be performed by the dentist or an oral surgeon.
   • The dentist will give you a local anesthetic and remove the tooth.
   • You may be prescribed antibiotics and painkillers to prevent further infection and relieve pain. It is essential that you follow the dentist's advice on good oral hygiene.
   • You will need to schedule a follow-up appointment with the dentist to inspect your gums and to see if healing is progressing. The dentist will check the positioning of the opposing wisdom tooth, in case it also needs to be removed.

Part 3 of 3: Maintaining good oral hygiene

1. Brush your teeth twice a day. Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent future infections. The first step to good oral hygiene is to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Hard toothbrushes are too rough and can chafe away sensitive tooth enamel.
   • Hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum line.
   • Brush your teeth in small circular motions instead of back and forth (this can damage the tooth enamel).
   • You should brush your teeth twice a day, for at least two minutes at a time. Make sure to brush down on the gum line and don't forget the back of your teeth.
2. Floss daily. Flossing is just as important as brushing because it removes plaque and bacteria built up between the teeth that the toothbrush cannot reach. If this plaque is not removed, it can lead to dental erosion, infections and gum disease. Floss at least once a day.
   • Hold the floss firmly between both hands and gently work it down between the teeth, using a gentle back and forth motion. Do not let the floss "shoot" down on the gums, as this can irritate the gums and cause bleeding.
   • Curve the floss in the shape of a "C" against a tooth. Gently slide the floss between your tooth and gum.
   • Keep the floss taut and rub the tooth with gentle back and forth motions.
   • Make sure to floss between each tooth and along the back of your butt. You should always rinse your mouth after flossing to get rid of expelled plaque and bacteria.
3. Use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria. Rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash helps limit bacteria in the mouth, while also keeping your breath fresh. Look for a certified mouthwash to make sure it is working properly.
   • You can use mouthwash before or after brushing. Pour a small capful of mouthwash into your mouth and rinse it between your teeth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out again.
   • You can use a commercial brand of antiseptic mouthwash or, in consultation with your dentist or doctor, rinse your mouth with chlorhexidine, available at most pharmacies. The use of this agent as a mouthwash has many disadvantages and side effects and it should not be used in combination with toothpaste.
   • If mouthwash burns too strongly in your mouth, look for an alcohol-free version.
4. Go to the dentist regularly for checkups. Periodic dental check-ups is the best preventative measure you can take to avoid infecting the wisdom tooth and causing other dental problems.
   • Go to the dentist every six months, especially if your wisdom teeth have not yet broken. Your dentist may recommend that you visit more often if certain health issues have been discovered.
5. Do not smoke. Do not smoke or use tobacco products if you have an infected wisdom tooth, as these bad habits irritate the gums and can make the infection worse.
   • Smoking is bad for your health in general, and your oral health is no different. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking as soon as possible.
   • Smoking can also discolor your teeth and tongue, hinder your body's ability to heal, and cause gum disease and mouth cancer.

Tips

• Not all wisdom teeth need to be pulled if they are not causing further problems. The dentist can help you decide if extraction is right for you. Most people who have problems with wisdom teeth are 15-25 years old.

Warnings

• Home and over-the-counter remedies are unlikely to cure an infection. Any infections should be examined by the dentist as soon as possible and treatment should be started immediately.