Never Take Your Healthy Teeth for Granted

If your wisdom tooth breaks in half, a dentist may suggest that you extract the tooth to keep it from developing an abscess, or infection. An abscess can potentially cause numerous problems for you if it releases bacteria into your bloodstream. You can minimize your risks for an infection and reduce your pain with the tips below.

Stay Hydrated

Bacterial infections can develop or worsen if your immune system is weak or compromised. Your immune system should be strong enough to fight off things that could possibly harm it and the organs in your body, including dangerous bacteria. Abscess bacteria can cause sepsis, or infection of the blood, in some individuals. To avoid getting an abscess in your tooth until you can have it extracted, stay hydrated. 

Drinking water throughout the day helps strengthen your immune system and its cells, as well as flush toxins from your body through your kidneys. The clear fluids also wash away excess mouth bacteria, which may reduce the organisms that could possibly infect your tooth. If you can't drink water straight from a cup or glass, use straws. However, practice caution when using straws. The sucking reflexes of your mouth may allow air to enter your open tooth and cause pain.

You can also take other steps to keep bacteria down in your body and wisdom tooth.

Get Plenty of Rest

Rest as often as you can the days before your extraction. Rest allows your immune system to rebuild itself. Sleep also allows you to de-stress, which may help reduce the pain you feel from your tooth. If possible, take periodic naps in the later mornings or early afternoons. 

You may also want to do yoga or Pilate exercises to calm your nerves. These types of exercises encourage your body to relax. If you can't do the exercises previously mentioned, do the simple exercise below instead:

1. Find a quiet place to sit or lie down.
2. Place your arms along the sides of your body with your palms facing up toward the ceiling. 
3. Close your eyes and allow the muscles of your face to relax. If you still feel tension in your jaws, mouth, or forehead, slowly count to 15 until you feel your muscles relax.
4. Stay in the position for 10 to 20 minutes, or until you feel well-rested.

If you develop severe pain in your wisdom tooth before your appointment, contact a dentist immediately. You may have developed an abscess. Click here for more info.