Many of us know what wisdom teeth are and how they can cause problems with our oral health. However, only a few have heard of the term pericoronitis, which is often associated with wisdom teeth.

This is the occurrence of an infection caused by a wisdom tooth that hasn’t fully emerged from your gum, resulting in swelling and pain. A person can also develop pericoronitis if their gum doesn’t have enough space to accommodate the wisdom tooth due to teeth crowding.

Pericoronitis shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here is our blog that will guide you on what pericoronitis is and its symptoms.

Symptoms of Pericoronitis

It can be difficult to tell whether you have pericoronitis or not. So, we’ve listed some of the symptoms you should watch out for. Read on to get an idea and address it if you experience one or more of these symptoms.

• Swelling of the gum around the wisdom tooth
• Pain in the gum around the wisdom tooth
• Having bad breath or a rotten taste in the mouth
• Swelling of the face in the affected area
• Difficulty sleeping due to severe toothache
• Difficulty swallowing
• Suffering from a fever

If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms for more than two days, it’s best to see a dentist. Remember that they are the only ones who can give you a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. Take the time to ask them questions to understand the diagnosis.

Causes of Pericoronitis

When a wisdom tooth doesn’t fully emerge, it often leads to bacteria build-up inside your mouth. This can worsen every time food particles get stuck in the affected area. Every time you eat or drink and this happens, the area becomes prone to bacteria growth.

When left untreated for a long period of time, this can lead to pericoronitis. If it worsens, it can also affect your jaw, cheeks, and neck.

Pericoronitis is often experienced by people aged 20 – 29.

Here are some other causes of this infection.

• Poor oral hygiene – People with poor oral hygiene are most affected by pericoronitis.
• Emotional stress
• Pregnancy and fatigue
• Respiratory tract infection – This infection is caused by a cold or bacteria affecting the sinuses in your throat and nose.

How to Know If a Person Has Pericoronitis

Even if you’re experiencing symptoms of pericoronitis, the only way you can know if you really have this is if you go for a dental check-up. Here, your dentist will examine your wisdom teeth and ask you about the symptoms you are experiencing.

Your dentist will first check your gums to see if they may be red, inflamed, or swollen. They do this by conducting a physical examination of your teeth. If they can’t see it on the surface, they may ask you to have dental x-rays done. The results will show them the proper alignment of your wisdom tooth. This helps them create the proper treatment plan for you.

Treatment for Pericoronitis

Having pericoronitis is no joke since it can also disrupt our daily activities. Eating and chewing can become tougher than usual. That’s why it’s important to address it as soon as you feel symptoms. If you know about it early, it’s easier to clean the affected area of your gums to remove the bacteria.

There are also different home remedies that you can do. Try gargling with salt water or mouthwash. However, this is not always recommended since it may worsen your condition. If the infection is severe, you should go to the dentist to get medication such as antibiotics, Ibuprofen, or pain relievers to reduce the swelling of your gums.

If you have been diagnosed with pericoronitis, oral surgery is the most effective option for you. Your dentist will remove the gum flap from the back of your mouth to prevent food particles or bacteria from getting stuck there. Another option is wisdom tooth extraction to relieve the pain in your gums.

How to Avoid Pericoronitis

You can avoid pericoronitis by maintaining a good daily oral hygiene routine. This includes the regular brushing and flossing of your teeth. You may also gargle with the recommended mouthwash from your dentist.

This infection can also be avoided by seeking the advice of your dentist once symptoms start to show. Remember that it may not be pericoronitis since there are many dental infections that have similar symptoms. However, it’s always good to get a professional’s opinion. and gargling with mouthwash.

Key Takeaway

In this blog, we answered the question “What is pericoronitis?” If you’re experiencing the symptoms listed here, you should consider getting a professional’s opinion. Elevate Dental, the leading dental clinic in Manila is here to provide you with the right dental treatment such as dental surgery to remove a wisdom tooth.

If you have any questions, simply leave a message at Elevate Dental or visit our dental branches in Bonifacio Global City and Greenhills!