Most people are aware of wisdom teeth and some of the problems associated with them, but fewer people may have heard of pericoronitis.
Pericoronitis is an infection in the gums which can happen when a wisdom tooth is coming through. Often it causes swelling, pain, and discomfort. Pericoronitis usually occurs when there isn’t enough room for a wisdom tooth to erupt through the gums.
As a result, the tooth may only partially erupt which can cause gum flaps to develop. These areas can trap food which, in turn, can cause bacteria to build up, causing infection.
It’s not a condition to be taken lightly, since potentially it can cause short and long-term problems for your oral health. This is why we’ve put together a quick guide about pericoronitis, so you know how to spot the symptoms while it’s still easy to treat.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of pericoronitis to be aware of include:
- Gums that are swollen around the wisdom tooth
- Pain in and around the affected area
- Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth from leaking pus
- Facial swelling on the infected side
Chronic symptoms may only last for 1 or 2 days at a time but can keep recurring over a period of several months.
Acute symptoms of pericoronitis typically last longer – between 3 to 4 days and include:
- Swelling on the affected side of the face
- Severe pain which may prevent you from sleeping
- Pain when you swallow
- Fever
- Discharge of pus
- Swollen lymph nodes under the chin
What are the causes of pericoronitis?
A clinical study by the Irish Dental Association revealed that pericoronitis most commonly occurs in people in their 20s, with around 81% of those affected falling between the ages of 20 to 29.
It was also found that men and women developed pericoronitis in equal numbers.
The study also found there were certain conditions and causes associated with pericoronitis. These include:
- Poor oral hygiene –Those who practise poor oral hygiene are found to be more at risk from acute pericoronitis or chronic pericoronitis
- Emotional stress
- Pregnancy and fatigue
- Upper respiratory tract infection – This is a virus usually caused by a cold or bacteria that affects the sinuses in the nose and throat.
How is pericoronitis diagnosed?
Often a diagnosis of pericoronitis occurs during a regular dental check-up. Your dentist can diagnose the condition by examining a wisdom tooth and checking it for symptoms of pericoronitis.
He or she will be looking to see if your gums are inflamed, redder than normal, swollen, or draining pus. They will also look to see if there is a gum flap in the affected area around the wisdom tooth.
An x-ray may also be taken to enable your dentist to check the alignment of the wisdom teeth and to rule out any other possible causes for your pain, such as tooth decay.
So, having been diagnosed with pericoronitis what happens next?
Pericoronitis – What are the treatment options?
Here at No Gaps Dental, our experienced dentists design treatment plans for pericoronitis tailored to a patient’s exact needs.
It can be difficult to treat pericoronitis because if a gum flap is present then the problem isn’t going to go away until either the wisdom tooth has fully erupted or the tooth or gum flap is removed.
If a patient is presenting symptoms that are localised to the area around the tooth, treatment may be as follows:
- Thoroughly clean the area
- Remove any food debris
- Drain any pus
Should there be an infection, antibiotics will be prescribed, and your dentist may advise you to take other forms of medication such as over-the-counter painkillers and mouthwashes to help reduce the swelling and ease your discomfort.
It’s quite likely that your dentist will recommend removing the problematic wisdom tooth, especially if your pericoronitis symptoms are recurring.
It’s extremely important that pericoronitis symptoms are treated quickly to prevent the infection from spreading and to lower the risk of complications.
If you have noticed the symptoms of pericoronitis then don’t delay. Visit your dentist as quickly as you can. If you’re aware that your wisdom teeth are erupting but have no signs of pericoronitis, it’s still advisable to inform your dentist so they can monitor your progress.
Home remedies
If you are experiencing the minor symptoms of pericoronitis, then there are a couple of things you can do at home to help alleviate the problem.
- Gently clean the affected area with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove food debris and plaque
- Rinse your mouth two or 3 times a day with warm saltwater.
If you don’t see any signs of improvement within 5 days then you should make an appointment with your dentist. It’s not recommended to try home remedies if you are experiencing severe pericoronitis symptoms.
Possible complications
If symptoms aren’t treated properly then complications can occur. Infection in the affected area can spread and cause swelling and pain in the head and neck. A person may find it difficult to open their mouth or bite down in a condition known as trismus.
Pericoronitis complications can also be life-threatening – although this is extremely rare.
- Infection can spread into the bloodstream – a condition known as sepsis, which also has the potential to be life-threatening.
- Pericoronitis that is left untreated can also lead to Ludwig’s angina, which is an infection that can spread beneath the tongue and jaw.
That’s the bad news!
The good news is that you can help prevent pericoronitis from developing with a couple of simple steps.
- Good oral hygiene – Extra brushing around the affected tooth will help remove bacteria and food debris
- Regular dental check-ups – Regular check-ups will help your dentist identify the early signs of pericoronitis and treat them appropriately.
If you suspect you may have pericoronitis or your wisdom teeth are starting to erupt, then contact No Gaps Dental. We can help to monitor your wisdom teeth and ensure you get the right treatment to correct this painful condition as soon as possible.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.