A wisdom tooth infection can cause pain at the back of the mouth, swollen gums, discomfort when chewing and, in some cases, difficulty opening the mouth normally. One common reason is that the wisdom tooth has only partially erupted, leaving an area of gum around the tooth where food debris and bacteria can accumulate.
If you have pain or swelling around a wisdom tooth, a dentist in Palma de Mallorca can examine the area, check how the tooth is erupting and determine whether the problem is caused by local inflammation, an infection or another dental condition.
Why can a wisdom tooth become infected?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth at the back of the mouth. Some erupt normally and never cause problems, while others do not have enough room to emerge completely or remain partially covered by gum tissue.
When only part of the tooth has erupted, a small space can remain between the tooth and the surrounding gum. This area can be difficult to clean properly with a toothbrush, allowing plaque, bacteria and food particles to accumulate.
The surrounding gum may then become irritated, swollen and sometimes infected. This is one of the most common situations behind an infected or swollen wisdom tooth.
What is pericoronitis?
Pericoronitis is inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding the crown of a partially erupted tooth. It is particularly associated with wisdom teeth, especially when part of the tooth remains covered by gum.
The gum covering the tooth can create an area that is difficult to keep clean. This may cause irritation and inflammation and, in some cases, a local infection.
Patients do not usually search for the medical term “pericoronitis”. They are more likely to notice that their wisdom tooth is swollen, that the gum behind their last molar is painful or that they have developed pain and pressure at the back of the jaw.
Symptoms can sometimes be mild or intermittent, but persistent or worsening discomfort should be assessed by a dentist to identify the cause.
Symptoms of a wisdom tooth infection
The symptoms of a wisdom tooth infection can vary depending on the degree of inflammation and whether an infection has developed. Possible signs include:
- Pain at the back of the mouth.
- Red, swollen or tender gum around the wisdom tooth.
- Pain when chewing.
- Discomfort when brushing the area.
- Bad taste in the mouth or bad breath.
- A feeling of pressure around the wisdom tooth.
- Difficulty keeping the area clean.
- Difficulty or discomfort when opening the mouth.
- Pus or discharge from the gum in some cases.
- Fever or feeling generally unwell if the infection becomes more significant.
Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, and pain at the back of the mouth does not automatically mean that you have pericoronitis. A dental examination is necessary to determine the actual cause.
What type of dentist treats a wisdom tooth infection?
A wisdom tooth infection or pericoronitis can initially be assessed by a general dentist or an emergency dentist in Palma de Mallorca, particularly when the patient has significant pain, swelling or symptoms that have appeared suddenly.
The dentist can examine the gum and the tooth and may recommend an X-ray when necessary to assess the position of the wisdom tooth and whether there is enough space for it to erupt properly.
If the tooth later needs to be removed, the extraction may be carried out by a dentist experienced in this type of procedure. Impacted wisdom teeth or more complex cases may require a professional with specific training in oral surgery and, depending on the circumstances, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
How is an infected wisdom tooth treated?
The appropriate wisdom tooth infection treatment depends on what is causing the problem, the condition of the surrounding gum and the position of the tooth. There is no single treatment that is appropriate for every patient.
The first priority is usually to manage the inflammation or infection that is causing the symptoms. The dentist can then assess whether the underlying situation makes future episodes likely.
Cleaning the inflamed area
When pericoronitis is present, the area around the wisdom tooth may need to be carefully cleaned and irrigated, particularly beneath the gum tissue covering part of the tooth. Removing trapped debris can help address the local source of irritation.
The dentist may also give specific advice on how to keep the area clean while the gum recovers without causing further irritation.
Do you always need antibiotics?
No. A swollen or painful wisdom tooth does not automatically require antibiotics. Whether they are appropriate depends on the extent of the infection, the patient’s symptoms and the dentist’s clinical assessment.
For this reason, you should not take leftover antibiotics from a previous dental or medical treatment. They may not be necessary and they do not remove the underlying reason why the area has become inflamed.
Does an infected wisdom tooth have to be removed?
Not necessarily. Having one episode of pericoronitis does not automatically mean that the wisdom tooth needs to be extracted.
The dentist will consider factors such as the position of the tooth, whether there is enough room for it to erupt fully, whether the area can be kept clean and whether similar episodes have happened before.
If the wisdom tooth remains partially impacted, cannot erupt normally or causes repeated episodes of inflammation or infection, extraction may be considered as a longer-term solution.
You can find more information about this procedure in our guide to wisdom teeth removal in Palma de Mallorca.
Can pericoronitis come back?
Yes. If the underlying conditions remain — for example, if part of the wisdom tooth continues to be covered by gum and the area remains difficult to clean — inflammation can return.
This is why treating the immediate discomfort is only one part of the assessment. The dentist should also evaluate whether the tooth is likely to erupt normally or whether its position may continue to cause problems.
Repeated infections are one of the factors that may lead a dentist to discuss whether wisdom tooth removal is appropriate for that particular patient.
What should you do if your wisdom tooth is swollen?
Until you can see a dentist, try to maintain careful oral hygiene around the area without aggressively brushing or manipulating the swollen gum.
Do not attempt to cut, puncture or drain the gum yourself. You should also avoid using antibiotics or other prescription medication unless they have been recommended for your particular situation by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Even if the pain temporarily improves, recurrent swelling should be investigated. A partially erupted wisdom tooth can continue to create the same conditions that caused the initial inflammation.
When is a wisdom tooth infection a dental emergency?
You should seek dental attention promptly if the pain is severe or worsening, the swelling is increasing, there is pus, you develop a fever or you are finding it progressively harder to open your mouth.
Swelling that begins to spread towards the face or neck also requires prompt professional assessment. If you develop difficulty breathing or swallowing, you should seek urgent medical attention rather than wait for a routine dental appointment.
If you are experiencing significant pain or swelling while in Mallorca, an emergency dentist in Palma can assess the source of the problem and determine which dental treatment is appropriate.
Wisdom tooth infection treatment in Palma de Mallorca
If you have an infected or swollen wisdom tooth in Palma de Mallorca, Centro Urgencias Dentales Mallorca can assess the gum, the position of the tooth and the cause of your symptoms.
The immediate aim is to address the problem causing the pain or inflammation. Once the acute symptoms have been assessed, the dentist can determine whether the tooth can be maintained or whether extraction should be considered because of its position or repeated infections.
This can be particularly useful for residents as well as visitors who develop sudden wisdom tooth pain while staying in Mallorca and need a dental assessment without waiting until they return home.
If you have pain, swelling or suspect a wisdom tooth infection, you can contact Centro Urgencias Dentales Mallorca to request an appointment at our dental clinic in Palma de Mallorca.
