Wisdom teeth are harder to clean, which makes them more prone to infections. Reaching the space between them and the back of the mouth can be tricky when you’re flossing and brushing, allowing for food and bacteria to get trapped between the gums and the tooth.
When you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort, it’s essential to visit a reliable specialist in Temecula, CA to check your wisdom teeth and determine what kind of treatment they need, if any. You can fight and control infection in different ways, including some natural remedies. Continue reading to find out more about it.
How do you get rid of a wisdom tooth infection naturally?
There are several types of bacteria that can cause infection, including:
- Streptococcus
- Peptostreptococcus
- Actinomyces
- Fusobacterium
- Prevotella
- Eikenella corrodens
- Aggregatibacter
When they accumulate enough to result in infection, it’s necessary to eliminate the infection and remove the infected tooth at the same time
Your dentist will typically prescribe antibiotics that you should take after the removal of the tooth. The antibiotics usually include penicillin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, erythromycin, and clindamycin.
However, there are also some home remedies that you can apply. These can’t completely eliminate the infection, but they can stop bacteria growth and provide you with temporary pain or discomfort relief. These remedies include:
- Hydrogen peroxide. Make a solution of equal parts of drinking water and hydrogen peroxide. Utilize this as a mouthwash. Due to the antibacterial properties of hydrogen peroxide, it will help eliminate some of the superficial bacteria around the infected area.
- Salt water. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of cold or warm drinking water. Swoosh it around your mouth several times before spitting it out. Repeat multiple times throughout the day. The salt will help slow down the bacteria.
- Clove oil. Since cloves are rich in antibacterial oils, they can also help stop the spread of bacteria. Dampen a cotton swab with this oil and dab it directly onto the tooth. Make sure you repeat this a couple of times to ease pain and swelling.
- Baking soda. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water and use it to rinse your mouth. In case you have an abscess in your gums or on the tooth, make a paste using the same ingredients and apply it directly to the gum or tooth.
- Cold compress. Cold also helps soothe inflammation and swelling. Use a cold cloth or an ice pack and place it on your cheek from the outside, over the affected area. Hold for 15 – 20 minutes and repeat as often as possible.
- OTC pain relievers. While numbing gels and painkillers won’t help you combat the infection, they’ll certainly alleviate the pain so you can get some rest and a good night’s sleep while waiting for the appointment with your dentist.
Where in Temecula, CA can I get effective wisdom teeth treatment?
A tooth infection starts small, but it can develop into serious conditions if left untreated. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our specialists at Temecula Center for Wisdom Teeth & Dental Implants for a detailed check. We always go above and beyond to make our patients feel secure and comfortable, no matter what issue they may be facing.
Once we eliminate the infection, we’ll let you know whether it’s necessary to remove your wisdom tooth, or it’s enough to repair it. In situations that require extraction, we’ll provide you with all the necessary details about it so you can feel more at ease and properly prepare yourself for the procedure. We’re a couple of blocks away from Paloma Del Sol Park, so feel free to visit us for a free consultation.