I Have an Infected Wisdom Tooth: What Should I Expect?

There’s nothing quite like the pain of a tooth infection. But if it occurs in a wisdom tooth — those late-emerging molars — chances are it might need to come out anyway, infection or not.

Dr. Caesar Sweidan and Dr. Laura Smith, our experienced periodontists at St. Tammany Periodontics & Implants, are experts at wisdom tooth removal. 

Here, we explain how and why wisdom teeth become infected and what to expect during the process of resolving the issue.

What causes wisdom tooth infections?

Wisdom teeth often create challenges because they don’t appear until long after your other teeth have already claimed their territory. When they arrive, typically around your late teens or early 20s, they push other teeth out of position, causing overcrowding, misalignment, pain, and cleaning challenges.

For many, wisdom teeth don’t fully emerge through the gums due to a lack of space, leading to impaction, or they come in partially, leaving gums vulnerable to bacteria buildup.

The most common causes of wisdom tooth infections are:

Impacted teeth

When a tooth doesn’t fully emerge, it can trap bacteria under the gums.

Cavities

Wisdom teeth can be tough to clean due to their unreachable position, leading to decay and infection.

Food debris buildup

Partially erupted wisdom teeth create pockets where food and plaque collect, increasing your risk of infections like pericoronitis.

Symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth include:

• Intense pain near the back of your jaw
• Redness and swelling around the gums
• Difficulty chewing or opening your mouth
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Fever or swollen lymph nodes in severe cases

If you notice any of these signs, call us immediately. We can help you prevent complications and further damage.

Why wisdom teeth may need removal

Wisdom teeth aren’t always problematic. If there’s enough room for them to grow correctly and they’re healthy and functional, no action may be necessary. But it’s a different story if your wisdom teeth cause recurrent pain, infection, or damage to your other teeth.

Our team uses advanced 3D imaging to evaluate your teeth and make informed recommendations. Early removal prevents pain and complications; if the infection is already present, removal resolves the problem before it worsens.

What happens during wisdom tooth removal

Wisdom tooth removal is pretty straightforward. It’s a routine procedure we perform in our office. We give you light sedation and a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. Here’s what you can expect during and immediately after the removal process:

Sedation and preparation

We always numb the area before we start working on it, but we also offer sedation if your case is complex and you need help relaxing. 

Gum incision (if needed)

If your wisdom teeth are impacted, we make a small incision in your gumline to access the tooth.

Tooth removal

We may divide your tooth into sections so we can remove it easily and completely. Then we clean the socket to remove any bacteria and/or debris.

Stitches (if necessary)

If you need stitches, we use dissolvable sutures.

Recovery tips

We provide you with detailed aftercare instructions, but here are a few general tips:

• Rest for at least 24-48 hours after the procedure, and avoid strenuous activity
• Use ice packs to minimize swelling
• Stick to a soft or liquid diet with foods like soups, yogurt, and mashed potatoes
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, or using straws to lower the risk of dry socket
• Gently rinse with a warm saltwater solution, but avoid vigorous swishing

Most people have discomfort for a few days; overall healing typically takes a week or two. Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen are generally all you need, but we can prescribe stronger medication for more complex cases.

Reduce your risk of complications

Post-procedure infections are rare but can occur. Call us if you notice:

• Bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Severe discomfort that persists or worsens after a few days
• Pus or white discharge around the site
• Fever or swelling that doesn’t improve

If you have symptoms of an infected wisdom tooth or want a professional opinion, call us at St. Tammany Periodontics & Implants in Covington or Slidell, Louisiana, or request an appointment online today.