Dentists often recommend extracting wisdom teeth because they can cause issues down the line—but they don’t often explain what issues they can cause. Among wisdom teeth complications, pericoronitis is one of the most common ones, making patients visit our Concord dental care offices seeking a solution to their pain.  

Pericoronitis is a highly common dental condition, typically affecting people aged 20 to 29. If you notice swollen gums behind your teeth and start to experience discomfort, it may be a sign to visit the dentist. Here’s what you need to know about this condition and what risks it carries over time.  

What Is Pericoronitis? 

Gum tissue inflammation surrounding wisdom teeth is known as pericoronitis. It may occur when a tooth is partially impacted or partially erupted. The symptoms of pericoronitis can range from mild to severe and include facial swelling, pus, and foul breath. 

Your wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the final adult teeth to erupt and typically appear in your late teens or early 20s. But when they do, patients occasionally don’t have enough room in their mouths, which can lead to their third molar getting impacted—that is, stuck beneath the gum line. 

This gum flap that forms over the top of it is called an operculum and usually covers part of the tooth’s crown. Infections can result from food particles, bacteria, and debris lodged beneath it. For that reason, pericoronitis usually affects lower wisdom teeth. Still, it can also occur around the upper ones and may appear around one or more wisdom teeth. 

How to Prevent Pericoronitis? 

Food buildup in the area is a major cause of inflammation, so the key is to keep that tiny pocket clear of food particles until the tooth is completely out or ready for extraction. Proper hygiene in the area is key to doing that. 

You can use specialized tools to ensure that food residue is eliminated, like individual toothbrushes and water syringes of flossers to conduct pressure washings. 

Treatment of Pericoronitis 

Extracting the molar is the proper action if there is insufficient room. However, this procedure should not be carried out while there is pain and inflammation for two reasons: 

• Increased Risk of Infection: If an acute infection is treated by manipulating and anesthetizing the affected area, it may spread to other body parts, becoming even more severe and challenging to treat. 

• Anesthesia Does Not Function Correctly: Anesthesia does not function correctly in infected and extremely inflammatory tissues, which can make the procedure extremely painful and challenging. 

What Happens if Pericoronitis is Not Treated on Time? 

If the infection worsens to the point where pus has formed, it may spread to the neck region, directly beneath the jaw, and cause extremely bad inflammation that makes breathing difficult. This condition is known as Ludwig’s angina, and it could be life-threatening.  

For that reason, controlling pericoronitis in its early stages is crucial, and you should visit the dentist if you notice any warning signs. 

These include: 

• Fever  

• Severe pain around your back teeth  

• Redness and swelling of your gum tissue  

• Pus or drainage 

• Discomfort when swallowing  

• Lockjaw (trismus) 

• Facial swelling 

• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck  

• Bad breath (Halitosis)  

Contact a Reliable Concord Dental Care Provider—And Say Goodbye to Your Discomfort! 

As you can see, pericoronitis is a dangerous condition that calls for treatment right away. Our bodies are smart, and pain is often a clear indicator that something is wrong. Don’t pull off treatment. If we identify an infection, we will prescribe over-the-counter analgesics and antibiotics to treat the area. 

Then, if necessary, we will explore treatment options available to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Contact Coliseum Dental Concord right away for a personalized assessment!