Will wisdom teeth keep getting inflamed if they are not removed?

Whether wisdom teeth will always be inflamed depends on their growth position and space.

1. Growth Position

If the wisdom teeth are positioned normally and can erupt properly without affecting the surrounding soft tissue and adjacent teeth, there will be no inflammation. Usually, oral hygiene care should be taken. If the wisdom teeth are abnormally positioned, causing obstruction, which means the wisdom teeth are blocked by adjacent teeth, jawbone, or soft tissue, resulting in the teeth being covered by gums and unable to erupt in time, it can easily lead to conditions such as pericoronitis, gingivitis, and caries. If not removed in time, it may cause inflammation of the wisdom teeth.

2. Growth Space

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to grow in humans, and the surrounding teeth have already matured, leaving possibly insufficient space for the eruption of wisdom teeth. Therefore, during the eruption process of wisdom teeth, inflammation may occur, clinically known as pericoronitis, manifested as local swelling, pain, etc. After the inflammation subsides, wisdom tooth extraction surgery should be performed in a timely manner, and the wisdom teeth will not become inflamed again after removal.

During the inflammation of wisdom teeth, potassium permanganate solution or hydrogen peroxide solution can be used to rinse the affected area to remove food residue and secretions. Metronidazole or ornidazole should be taken as advised by a doctor to accelerate the resolution of inflammation. If there is an abscess around the wisdom teeth, incision and drainage treatment for the abscess is required. It is important to cultivate the habit of brushing teeth in the morning and evening and rinsing the mouth after meals.