• your back gums are swollen, red, and painful.
• you have a bad taste, pus or odor in your mouth.
• you have difficulty opening your mouth wide.

The causes of pericoronitis


The most common cause of pericoronitis is food, bacteria, or plaque trapped beneath a flap of gum tissue.


The flap is formed when a molar begins moving toward the surface of the gum tissue. Before the tooth erupts through the gum, gum tissue covers the area completely, but as the molar emerges, only part of the tooth remains covered by gum tissue. This creates a flap where food and bacteria can become easily trapped but that is difficult to keep clean. Inflammation and infection can very quickly develop.


In addition, if the upper molar comes through fully before the lower one, the upper tooth may bite down on the lower gum flap, worsening the condition.




Diagnosis and treatment


It is important to treat pericoronitis because, if it is left untreated, a much more serious infection can spread to the neck and cheeks.


To determine whether you have pericoronitis, we perform a thorough examination. The exam may include probing the gum around the affected tooth and taking x-rays.


To treat pericoronitis, we remove plaque and bacteria from the affected tooth and rinse around and under the gum flap. To prevent pericoronitis from reoccurring, we may, depending on the circumstances, surgically remove or reshape the gum around the tooth, or extract the tooth.


Homecare may include rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or an antimicrobial mouthwash. We may suggest that you use an oral irrigator to help keep the area bacteria-free.