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For many people, the wisdom teeth cause no problems at all, but occasionally, they can be troublesome. If you suffer from painful wisdom teeth or you think you may have an infected wisdom tooth, we are here to help.

About the wisdom teeth

The wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are the last teeth to develop. There are four in total, with one located in each corner. Often, the wisdom teeth erupt without causing any real problems, but sometimes they can be painful. This is usually the case when there is not enough space in the jaw for the teeth to develop properly. If there is a lack of space, the teeth may start to push against the neighbouring teeth and grow at an angle. This is known as an impacted tooth. If your tooth is impacted, you will probably need treatment, which often involves removing the tooth. You don’t need your wisdom teeth, so if they are causing you pain, it’s usually best to extract them

Signs that your wisdom tooth may be infected

Your teeth may also be painful if you have an infected wisdom tooth. The tooth may become infected if you can’t reach it to clean it properly or you neglect your oral hygiene regime. Signs of infection include dental pain, tenderness and swelling. With wisdom tooth infection, pain can also spread to the jaw and cause migraines and a high temperature. It is also possible for abscesses to develop, which often cause throbbing, severe pain and can make you feel under the weather.
If you do have an infected wisdom tooth, it’s important to see your dentist so that they can treat you before the infection spreads further and you experience more severe symptoms. In some cases, it may be possible to treat the tooth without extraction, however, often the best thing to do is extract wisdom teeth that are causing persistent or acute pain. Your dentist will examine your mouth and then discuss the treatment options with you.