Wisdom tooth gum infection

[AI1694]

Both of my bottom wisdom teeth are only partially erupted and last month one of them became infected, well the gum tissue did. Very painful, but managed to heal itself with the aid of salt water and mouthwash rinses. I did see my dentist who said no need for antibiotics.

I can feel it coming on again, same tooth and gum which is slowly becoming swollen. No pain yet though.

What can I expect if I go back to my dentist? Is there a proper cure for this? Cheers.

[HarryFlatters]

The only proper, permanent cure is to have your wisdom teeth out. It was the best thing I ever did.

[AI1694]

Not looking forward to that then! How long is the recovery time?

[DocJock]

HarryFlatters said:

The only proper, permanent cure is to have your wisdom teeth out. It was the best thing I ever did.

It really isn't as simple as that. It is a risk/reward calculation, and different for each person.

[DocJock]

AI1694 said:

Not looking forward to that then! How long is the recovery time?

How long is a piece of string? I had all four removed and was back at work the following day.
Wife had them done and was in bed for three days afterwards.

[housen]

yup will keep getting infected till u get em out

drinking makes it worse so does smoking

u just have to live with a bottle of moutwash handy and rinse all the time to keep it away

till u have em out ofcourse '

[Captain Smerc]

I had all 4 impacted WT removed at about 21 , was a hospital job with general anaesthetic . I looked like I'd been mugged for a while after but totally sorted the issue , if they need to come out get it done .

[Birdster]

I had my lower left wisdom tooth out last year. It had been infected about once a year for the last few years. I either self medicated or antibiotics. Eventually had it out and after having infections after removal and a problem with my bite that was resolved it has been the best thing I had done as my breath is so much better. Confidence is improved as less niggles with it flairing up etc.

I thought about it for a while and post surgery regretted it. Now though it’s much better and I don’t have constant bad breath. Something confirmed by my partner. No matter how much I flossed and brushed there is was just a trap for germs.

[272BHP]

I have problems with one of mine.

How do you get them out though, my dentist does not seem interested, do you have to got private? what kind of cost are we talking about?

[Piginapoke]

HarryFlatters said:

The only proper, permanent cure is to have your wisdom teeth out. It was the best thing I ever did.

I had mine removed under local anaesthetic in a specialist dentist surgery. It was the most painful thing I have ever had done to me; when I crawled back into my regular dentist after a few days to ask if the searing pain was normal, he found a shard of my jaw bone embedded in my gum socket.

[Challo]

I had the same issue and after two infections my dentist referred me to the NHS for removal. Opted for a general, and was pretty quick in terms of seeing the specialist and having the operation. I only needed two out, but took a couple of days to get back to work.

Well worth it if your having issues.

[Driller]

Often having the opposite one out in the top jaw fixes the problem because part of the problem is caused by this tooth crushing the swollen gum into the lower one making things worse.

The tops ones are often much easier to take out

[AI1694]

Cheers for the replies and advice.

It’s calmed down again now but will be going dentist again to discuss options. I wonder if it could be due to my long term gum disease..

[popeyewhite]

AI1694 said:

Cheers for the replies and advice.

It’s calmed down again now but will be going dentist again to discuss options. I wonder if it could be due to my long term gum disease..

Re wisdom tooth removal: with general anaesthetic you're there in the morning and out early afternoon. Unless there's complications there is no 'recovery time' - you've had a tooth pulled, not heart surgery. Just need to be a bit careful with hygiene for a while.

[Captain Benzo]

currently waiting for all 4 of mine to come out,

it's a general anesthetic job and the wait times are ridiculous, (62 weeks) from last August.

just keep washing out my mouth and hoping for the best. Roll on October.

[JapanRed]

It’s been a while since I reviewed the guidelines but NICE guidance suggests whipping them out if they get infected a certain number of times in a 1-2 year period. Your dentist will be au fait with this.

If they remove them you should be fine to go back to work the next day.