Oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat many types of infections. Some are infections of the head and neck that have spread beyond the teeth. These infections have a few common causes:

• An infection of the pulp (center) of a tooth
• An infection from a wisdom tooth that has come in only partway
• An infection that occurs after a tooth is removed
• A gum infection
• An infection caused by an injury
• A blocked flow of saliva

Symptoms of an infection include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Redness
• Fever
• Problems swallowing or breathing (with severe infections

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your dentist. If you have a local infection, your dentist can often treat it without referring you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. If your dentist is not available and you do not have an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you should go to your local emergency room for treatment. You will need a surgeon if:

• The infection has spread
• The infected area is very swollen
• The infection is making you ill
• You are having problems swallowing or breathing

Treatment wipes out the infection. If a tooth is infected, the dentist will remove it. Sometimes he or she will make a cut in your gum to drain pus.

Many infections do not spread. But some spread quickly throughout the face and jaw, making it difficult to open your mouth, swallow and control your saliva. Some infections can cause your throat to swell and make it difficult to breathe. If that happens, you will be hospitalized. You will have a tube inserted through your mouth or nose and down into your windpipe. This will help you breathe. If you require a breathing tube, then you will be in the intensive care unit of the hospital.

In the hospital, you may:

• Get fluids and antibiotics
• Have the source of the infection removed
• Have surgery to drain pus