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If you’ve noticed pain or swelling around your back molars, especially if your wisdom teeth haven’t fully erupted, you might be dealing with pericoronitis.
In this blog, we will explore what pericoronitis is, the signs and symptoms you may experience, and the available treatment options to manage this condition effectively.
Table of Contents
- What is Pericoronitis?
- Signs and Symptoms of Pericoronitis
- Treatment Options for Pericoronitis
- Foley & Le: Your Oral Surgeons in Boulder
- FAQs about Pericoronitis
If you experience pain, swelling, redness, or discharge around your back molars, you may have pericoronitis. Other signs can include bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, difficulty swallowing, fever, or even jaw spasms.
What is Pericoronitis?
Pericoronitis is swelling and infection of the gum tissue around the wisdom teeth. When a wisdom tooth is partially erupted, it can leave a small flap of gum tissue, known as an operculum, which can trap food particles and bacteria. This leads to inflammation and bacterial infection, resulting in pericoronitis.
Signs and Symptoms of Pericoronitis
Pericoronitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (ongoing). Here are some common signs to watch for.
Acute Pericoronitis Symptoms
- Severe pain: This is the most common symptom and can make it difficult to eat or open your mouth.
- Swollen gum tissue: The area around the tooth will be red, inflamed, and tender.
- Pus or discharge: You may notice an unpleasant taste or smell.
- Difficulty swallowing: Inflammation can affect surrounding muscles.
- Fever: An indication that your body is fighting an infection.
- Loss of appetite: You may have a loss of appetite due to pain caused by chewing.
Chronic Pericoronitis Symptoms
Chronic pericoronitis tends to be less intense but can still be bothersome.
- Dull ache: A lingering pain around the wisdom tooth.
- Mild discomfort: May come and go.
- Bad breath: Caused by bacterial buildup under the gum flap.
- Bad taste: Also related to bacterial activity.
Treatment Options for Pericoronitis
Proper treatment is important to prevent complications and alleviate discomfort. If you are experiencing acute or ongoing symptoms, the first thing you should do is consult with your dentist. Here are some home remedies to alleviate the discomfort in the meantime.
Home Care
- Warm salt-water rinses: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help reduce inflammation and clear away food debris.
- Counter pain relievers: Use over-the-counter pain medications to manage mild to moderate pain. Always follow the dosage instructions on the bottle.
- Oral hygiene: Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent further bacterial growth. Use oral water irrigators to clean around the affected area.
- Soft foods: Eat soft foods that won’t irritate the swollen gum tissue.
- Dental visits: Schedule a dental check-up.
Professional Dental Treatment
- Cleaning: Your dentist will thoroughly clean the affected area, flushing away trapped food particles and debris to reduce bacteria and inflammation.
- Antibiotics: You may be prescribed a course of oral antibiotics.
- Antibacterial rinse: An antibacterial mouthwash may be recommended to help keep the area clean and reduce bacterial growth.
- Surgical recommendations: Your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon for evaluation.
Monitoring and Further Action
- Erupting tooth: If your wisdom tooth is still erupting normally, your dentist will closely monitor the area to ensure it remains clean and infection-free.
- Severe symptoms/operculectomy: For severe cases, or if infection recurs, a minor surgical procedure (operculectomy) might be necessary to remove the excess gum tissue (operculum).
- Impacted tooth: If the wisdom tooth is not erupting properly, the oral surgeon may recommend extraction. In some cases, both upper and lower wisdom teeth may be removed to prevent further infection.
Foley & Le: Your Oral Surgeons in Boulder
Pericoronitis is a painful condition that can significantly impact your oral health and overall well-being. Don’t let it compromise your dental health—seek professional care today to ensure a healthy, pain-free smile.
At Foley and Le Oral Surgery, we specialize in oral surgery and offer a range of dental treatments such as wisdom tooth removal. Our experienced team will provide personalized care to help you manage and prevent this condition effectively.
If you are struggling with wisdom tooth pain, you can book an appointment without a referral from your dentist. If you are searching for wisdom teeth removal in Boulder, CO or the best oral surgeon near me, we can help! Call (303) 444-2255 to book an appointment or complete the online inquiry form.
FAQs about Pericoronitis
If it is mild, pericoronitis can sometimes improve on its own. However, because it involves bacterial infection, you should see your dentist or an oral surgeon to prevent further complications.
Diagnosis of pericoronitis is typically done through a clinical evaluation by a dentist or an oral surgeon. An X-ray may be taken to check the position of the wisdom teeth and to rule out other dental issues.
The infection can spread, causing increased pain and swelling and potentially affecting surrounding tissues and structures. Chronic pericoronitis can also lead to the development of an abscess, which is a collection of pus that can become increasingly painful and may require surgical drainage.
