Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Tonsillitis?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blog post will address the topic,”can wisdom teeth cause tonsillitis” and cover topics like symptoms of an erupting or impacted or infected wisdom teeth, what is a wisdom tooth infection, symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body, everything you need to know about tonsillitis, alarming symptoms of tooth infection, what will happen if i ignore the tooth infection or leave it untreated, treatment and management of wisdom tooth infection, how to treat sore throat and tonsillitis from wisdom teeth, home remedies for a sore throat and tonsillitis, when to call your doctor and practising good oral hygiene to prevent sore throat and tonsillitis from wisdom teeth.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause tonsillitis?
Yes, wisdom teeth that are partially erupted or have not fully erupted in the oral cavity, may harbour a lot of infection-causing bacteria, resulting in tooth infection that spreads to other parts of the body to cause fever, sore throat and tonsillitis.
Symptoms Of An Erupting or Impacted Or Infected Wisdom Teeth
- PAIN – An erupting or impacted or infected wisdom tooth may cause pain around the teeth area that may radiate towards the jaw and ear on one side.
- TIREDNESS – An erupting wisdom tooth or an infected one makes you feel sick and tired. It resembles flu-like symptoms.
- SORE THROAT and TONSILLITIS – As the wisdom teeth are located in close proximity with the throat, any infection spreads to the throat resulting in sore throat and tonsillitis on one side or both sides.
- RUNNY NOSE and TONSILLITIS – Flu-like symptoms such as runny nose and tonsillitis are common to see in erupting or infected wisdom teeth.
- FEVER – You may experience a little rise in body temperature for a few days.
- CHEWING and MOUTH OPENING DIFFICULTIES – It is not uncommon to experience symptoms of pain and discomfort while chewing or opening your mouth which may last for about a week or more.
- BAD BREATH – Brushing and flossing becomes a painful act while experiencing wisdom tooth eruption or infection resulting in failure to maintain good oral hygiene causing bad breath.
What Is A Wisdom Tooth Infection?
Wisdom tooth infection is pus and bacteria collection in the tooth, also called as tooth abscess, resulting in throbbing pain, sensitivity and pressure.
Symptoms of wisdom tooth infection or similar must not be ignored and you must consult your dentist as soon as possible.
Wisdom tooth infection or any tooth infection if ignored may spread to the periodontal tissues and bone, resulting in periodontal infection and infection of the jaw bone. It may also spread systemically and can prove to be lethal.
Symptoms of tooth infection spreading to body
Tooth infection starts with a toothache and if ignored may further spread to the adjoining periodontal tissues and even jaw bone.
Tooth infection spreading to the body may have the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Fever
- Swelling on the face
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Dehydration leading to darker urine
- Stomach pain
- Increase in Heart Rate
- Inability to open mouth
- Pain on opening mouth
- Jaw Pain
- Dryness of the mouth with burning sensation
- Tonsillitis and sore throat
Things You Need To Know About Tonsillitis
What Is Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of two oval shaped structures located at the back of the throat. These oval-shaped tissues are known as tonsils and may get inflamed and painful due to an infection.
Symptoms Of Tonsillitis
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Painful swallowing (dysphagia)
- Headache
- Bad Breath
If you experience worsening of the above mentioned symptoms or any difficulty in breathing, consult your doctor immediately.
Alarming Symptoms Of Wisdom Tooth Infection: Consult Your Doctor Immediately
- High fever with thermometer reading ≥ 102℉
- Difficulty in breathing
- Chest pain or palpitations
- Continuous vomiting leading to dehydration
- Stomach pain
What will happen if I ignore the tooth infection or leave it untreated?
If the tooth infection is left untreated, infection spreads and may cause systemic problems that may be fatal.
A study reported 40% mortality associated with descending tooth infection left untreated.
Ascending tooth infections may enter the brain through sinuses or blood and lead to abscess formation in the brain.
Study published in the Australian Dental Journal reported ascending necrotising fasciitis resulting from the odontogenic infections.
Treatment and Management of Wisdom Tooth Infection
Oral Antibiotics
Tooth infection is most commonly treated with oral antibiotics and does not involve admission of the patient to the hospital, unless the patient shows alarming symptoms like difficulty in breathing and high fever.
Most common oral antibiotic administered is Amoxicillin. However, use of penicillin has been associated with increase in antimicrobial resistance due to B-lactamase production.
In case the patient is allergic to penicillins and cephalosporins, Clindamycin is a better option against tooth infection as it inhibits gram-positive organisms, anaerobes, B-lactam resistant organisms and has good bone penetration.
In immunocompromised patients, extended spectrum penicillins or higher generation cephalosporins (4th or higher) must be given to slow down or eliminate tooth infection.
Incision and Drainage
In case of tooth abscess, incision and drainage is required to relieve the patient from discomfort along with prescription of oral antibiotics like penicillin or clindamycin.
Root Canal Treatment
If the tooth infection has reached pulp, root canal treatment is an effective treatment option.
A root canal treatment is an endodontic procedure in which the infected pulp is removed and the tooth is disinfected and cleaned completely to remove all the debris and infection remnants.
It is a painless procedure similar to a filling and is done by an endodontist.
The entire procedure of root canal may take one or two appointments. The number of appointments depend on the tooth condition and personal preference.
Overall, the root canal therapy involves three major steps called as the endodontic triad:
- Biomechanical preparation–includes drilling of the tooth crown in a proper manner to gain access to the tooth pulp cavity.
- Microbial control–complete removal of the infected pulp tissues.
- Obturation of the canal–includes filling and sealing the tooth with tooth filling material and assuring no micro-leakage.
Extraction
On evaluating the X-Ray, if the dentist ensures that the tooth can’t be saved by a root canal treatment or the symptoms are due to an impacted wisdom tooth, then your dentist might recommend an extraction.
Sometimes just for precautionary purposes or to prevent any future symptoms of tooth infection, your dentist might recommend an extraction of your impacted wisdom tooth.
How To Treat Sore Throat And tonsillitis From Wisdom Teeth
Tonsillitis and sore throats from wisdom teeth can be treated at home with plenty of rest and gargling with warm salt water mixture. To prepare the salt water mixture, take ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt and add it in lukewarm water.
Home Remedies For A Sore Throat And tonsillitis
Most sore throats and tonsillitis are treatable at home with plenty of rest and following home remedies to lessen the pain of a sore throat:
- Warm water and 1 teaspoon salt mixture gargle
- Drink warm, throat soothing liquids like hot honey tea, herbal tea, soup broth, or warm water with lemon
- Suck on a piece of hard candy or a lozenge
- Turn on a cool mist humidifier to add moisture to the air
- Rest your voice until your throat feels better.
When To Call Your Doctor
Sore throats and tonsillitis due to a viral infection usually get better on their own in two to seven days. If it persists even after seven days and symptoms worsen, it is time to call your doctor.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene To Prevent Sore Throat And tonsillitis From Wisdom Teeth
To practice good oral hygiene, some of the below mentioned steps can be followed:
- Brush the teeth and gums for two minutes at least twice a day
- Floss the teeth daily
- Avoid smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco products
- Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash
- Limit sugary foods and drinks
- Eat a well-balanced diet for optimum nutrition
- Take supplements that will boost your dental health
Conclusion
This blog post addressed the question, “can wisdom teeth cause tonsillitis”. We understood symptoms of an erupting or impacted or infected wisdom teeth, what is a wisdom tooth infection, symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body, about tonsillitis, alarming symptoms of tooth infection, what will happen if i ignore the tooth infection or leave it untreated, treatment and management of wisdom tooth infection, how to treat sore throat and tonsillitis from wisdom teeth, home remedies for a sore throat and tonsillitis, when to call your doctor and practising good oral hygiene to prevent sore throat and tonsillitis from wisdom teeth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs): Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Tonsillitis
Can a wisdom tooth infection spread to the tonsils?
Yes, if left untreated, wisdom tooth infection may spread to the throat and infect the tonsils on either one side or both sides depending on the severity of wisdom tooth infection.
Can wisdom teeth cause a sore throat?
Yes, wisdom teeth that are partially erupted or have not fully erupted in the oral cavity, may harbour a lot of infection-causing bacteria, resulting in tooth infection that spreads to other parts of the body to cause fever, tonsillitis and sore throat.
How to treat a sore throat from wisdom teeth at home?
Sore throats from wisdom teeth can be treated at home with plenty of rest and gargling with warm salt water mixture. To prepare the salt water mixture, take ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt and add it in lukewarm water.
Why does only one side of the throat hurt?
Only one side of the throat hurts because the tonsils on only one side of the throat might have been infected. It may be due to less severity of the viral or bacterial infection.
Can A Tooth Infection Cause Strep Throat?
No, strep throat is not caused due to a tooth infection. Strep throat is caused by Group A streptococcus bacteria that are highly contagious and may spread through air droplets, or sharing food or drinks with an infected person, or due to poor hand hygiene.
References:
What Are the Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to Your Body? (2019)
Signs and symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body. (2020)
Tonsillitis – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
Wisdom Teeth Pain Relief: 15 Remedies for Toothaches. (2019)
Wisdom tooth infection: Symptoms, causes, and how to treat it. (2020)