Do you feel a throbbing pain spreading up to your throat? Persistent swelling, discomfort while swallowing, and unrelenting pain are among the most common symptoms of a wisdom tooth infection. If you're wondering, “How does a wisdom tooth infection heal? What helps it?” then this blog is just for you!

A wisdom tooth infection occurs when the gum becomes infected due to the wisdom tooth not fully erupting. These teeth are located at the back of the mouth and usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. Medically, this condition is referred to as pericoronitis. Bacteria accumulating around the gum can lead to inflammation over time. If you’d like to learn more about how this affects the gums, check out our content on gum diseases and treatment methods.

How Does a Wisdom Tooth Infection Occur?

A wisdom tooth infection develops when the tooth fails to fully erupt and remains partially impacted under the gum. This creates a pocket where food debris and bacteria accumulate. In this oxygen-deprived environment, bacteria rapidly multiply, produce toxins, and trigger the immune system, causing swelling, redness, and inflammation in the surrounding tissue. As the infection progresses, surgical intervention may be necessary.

How Is a Wisdom Tooth Infection Treated?

The first step in treating a wisdom tooth infection is to control the inflammation. For this, antibiotics, painkillers, and antiseptic mouthwash prescribed by a dentist should be used regularly. After completing the medication within about a week, you should revisit your dentist to clean the infected area beneath the gum.

However, this method often does not provide a permanent solution. Even if the infection is cleaned, there is a high risk of recurrence and damage to neighboring tissues. Therefore, in most cases, extraction of the wisdom tooth is recommended. This is the most permanent solution. The tooth is usually extracted in a single session, and swelling or pain for 3 to 5 days afterward is considered normal.

Symptoms of Infection After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Mild swelling and pain during the healing process after wisdom tooth extraction are normal. However, the following symptoms indicate a post-extraction infection and require a visit to your dentist:

1. Pulsating pain that worsens a few days after extraction
2. Noticeable, firm swelling in the cheek and jaw area
3. Foul-smelling discharge and bad taste in the mouth
4. Fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
5. Painful swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw
6. Difficulty opening the jaw
7. Pus-like fluid oozing from the extraction site

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to contact your local dental clinic in Pendik or your dentist immediately to prevent the infection from spreading.

How to Get Rid of Wisdom Tooth Infection

To relieve a wisdom tooth infection, the infection must first be brought under control. The dentist will prescribe antibiotics, painkillers, and antiseptic mouthwash. When used regularly, these medications reduce swelling and pain caused by the infection within about a week.

However, medication alone is often not enough for a permanent solution. To prevent recurrence, the area under the gum is usually cleaned, or the wisdom tooth is extracted. Extraction is the most effective way to stop the infection from returning.

If extraction is performed, it's essential to maintain oral hygiene as advised by your dentist and use the prescribed medications while keeping the area clean during recovery.

What Helps with Wisdom Tooth Infection?

To ease a wisdom tooth infection, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can be used. If there is severe swelling, fever, or signs of infection, antibiotic treatment may be necessary as prescribed by your dentist. Gargling with warm salt water, using mouthwash containing chlorhexidine, and maintaining oral hygiene are important.

To reduce pain, elevate your head with a pillow and apply a warm compress if the inflammation is mild. However, for serious symptoms like abscesses, difficulty swallowing, or jaw locking, be sure to consult your dentist promptly.

How to Recognize Infection After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Mild pain and swelling within 1–2 days after a wisdom tooth extraction are normal. But if the pain worsens, spreads to the ear or neck, the swelling becomes more noticeable, and the extraction site shows redness, warmth, or foul discharge, it may indicate an infection.

Difficulty opening the jaw, fever, fatigue, trouble swallowing, and swollen neck lymph nodes are signs the infection is spreading. Additionally, loss of the blood clot at the extraction site—known as dry socket—can cause severe pain and lead to infection.