A bad smell or taste originating from around a wisdom tooth is a common concern that often indicates an underlying issue. This unpleasant sensation arises from biological activity in a difficult-to-clean area. Understanding the reasons behind this odor can help in addressing the problem effectively.
Why Your Wisdom Tooth Might Smell
An unpleasant smell near a wisdom tooth often relates to trapped food particles and bacterial accumulation. Located at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are challenging to clean thoroughly. Food debris easily lodges in crevices, especially if they are partially erupted or impacted.
This trapped food, combined with the mouth’s warm, moist environment, provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria break down food particles and release volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), gases responsible for the foul odor.
A common condition contributing to the smell is pericoronitis, an inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding an erupting or impacted wisdom tooth. A gum flap (operculum) can cover part of the tooth, creating a pocket where food and bacteria become trapped. This pocket is difficult to clean, leading to chronic infection and odor.
The smell can also signal tooth decay or gum disease affecting the wisdom tooth or adjacent teeth. Bacteria can erode tooth enamel, forming cavities that collect debris and harbor odor-producing microbes. Similarly, inflammation of the gums, or gingivitis, can progress to periodontitis, where bacteria cause deeper pockets around the tooth roots, leading to persistent odor.
Immediate Steps and When to Seek Professional Help
Gentle home care can provide temporary relief if you notice a smell from your wisdom tooth. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water several times a day can help dislodge food particles and reduce inflammation. Dissolve about half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and swish it around the affected area for 30 seconds before spitting it out.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean around the wisdom tooth can also help remove plaque and debris. Take care not to irritate the inflamed gum tissue while brushing. Oral irrigators (water flossers) are useful for flushing out trapped particles from under gum flaps where a toothbrush might not reach.
Certain signs indicate a need for prompt professional dental attention. Persistent pain that does not subside with home care, swelling in the gum or jaw, or difficulty opening your mouth widely are concerning symptoms.
A fever, even a low-grade one, accompanying these symptoms suggests a more widespread infection that requires immediate evaluation. A worsening smell or an inability to clean the area despite diligent efforts also warrants a dental visit. Ignoring these signs can lead to more serious complications.
Understanding Potential Complications and Long-Term Solutions
Leaving the underlying issue causing a wisdom tooth smell untreated can lead to several complications. The infection, particularly from pericoronitis, can spread to other areas of the mouth, jaw, or even the neck, potentially forming an abscess, a painful collection of pus. This spread can result in cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection.
Chronic inflammation and infection can also damage adjacent teeth, leading to decay in the second molar or bone loss around its roots. In some cases, a fluid-filled sac, or cyst, can develop around an impacted wisdom tooth, which can expand and damage surrounding bone and tooth roots if not addressed. These complications underscore the importance of professional evaluation.
Long-term solutions depend on the specific cause of the smell and the wisdom tooth’s position. Improved oral hygiene techniques, often guided by a dental professional, can sometimes manage minor issues. This might involve specific brushing angles or the regular use of interdental cleaners to reach difficult areas.
For recurring pericoronitis, a minor surgical procedure called an operculectomy, which involves removing the problematic gum flap, might be performed. This eliminates the pocket where food and bacteria accumulate. For most recurring problems, especially with impacted wisdom teeth, extraction is often the definitive solution to prevent future infections and associated odors.