Pericoronitis is inflammation and infection of the soft tissue around the wisdom tooth, most commonly associated with erupting lower third molars that usually appear in your late teens or early 20s. It occurs when the wisdom teeth fail to come in or have only partially erupted.

Symptoms Of Pericoronitis

Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the infection. Milder symptoms last three to four days and can include:

• Painful, swollen gum tissue near the affected tooth
• An unpleasant smell or taste in your mouth
• A discharge of pus in the area

Severe symptoms can last one or two days but keep recurring for months. They include:

• Swelling in the face, swollen lymph nodes and jaw spasms
• Signs of spreading infection into the throat and neck could affect your ability to breathe and swallow.

If you notice early signs of pericoronitis, we urge you to contact our dentists at Dental Image Therapy Centres for diagnosis. 

Treatment Options

After diagnosis, our dentists will design a treatment plan according to the patient’s needs. We’ll thoroughly clean the area and remove any food debris. Then, we’ll prescribe oral antibiotics to clear up any infection. Our dental professionals can also prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the pain.

If your symptoms are severe, minor oral surgery may be necessary to remove the flap of gum tissue. Our dentists may also recommend your wisdom tooth be removed if it appears to not be coming in normally.

Can I Prevent Pericoronitis?

Even with the best dental care, pericoronitis can still occur. However, the best preventative strategy is to:

• Perform additional cleaning around the affected tooth to remove food debris and bacteria.
• Regularly visit us to identify signs or problems associated with pericoronitis, increasing the chance of treating it early.
• Take pre-emptive action by contacting one of our dentists whenever you have any concerns about pericoronitis.

Some patients with pericoronitis only require monitoring, while others may need treatment. Ask our dentists at St. Vital Centre or Garden City Shopping Centre which treatment option is right for you.