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Pericoronitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
What Is Pericoronitis?
Pericoronitis is when the gum around a wisdom tooth that hasn’t fully emerged becomes red, sore and sometimes infected. Pericoronitis usually affects the lower wisdom teeth and typically affects people who are in their late teens to twenties. Sometimes, a flap of gum called an operculum may cover part of the tooth and cause food and bacteria to get stuck. This can lead to swelling and pain. For some people, pericoronitis may just feel a bit uncomfortable or cause them to experience a bad taste in their mouth. For others, the pain can be quite sharp and may spread to the jaw, ear, or even the throat. If left untreated, the infection can get worse, so it’s important to get it checked by your South Perth Dentist quickly.
Common Symptoms of Pericoronitis
If you think you might have pericoronitis, it’s important to recognise the signs to prevent things from getting worse:
Pain Near the Affected Tooth
You may feel pain where your wisdom tooth is emerging. That pain might spread to your jaw or even your ear and make it hard for you to sleep or chew. It can vary from a dull ache to a sharp hurt that just won’t go away.
Red, Swollen Gums Near a Partially Erupted Tooth
The gum around the tooth may look red and feel puffy. It might even hurt when you touch or brush the area. This swelling happens because food and bacteria get trapped under the gum flap.
Bad Breath or a Bad Taste in the Mouth
You may notice that your breath smells bad or that there’s an unpleasant taste in your mouth that doesn’t go away. This often comes from bacteria — or sometimes pus — trapped under the gum flap. Even with regular brushing, it can be hard to clean the area properly.
Difficulty Opening the Mouth (trismus)
Your jaw may feel stiff, and you may have difficulty opening your mouth fully and without discomfort. This is known as trismus, and it can happen if the infection affects the muscles near the jaw. Simple things like talking, eating, or yawning may start to feel uncomfortable or even painful.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
You might notice small lumps on the side of your jaw or in your neck. These happen because your body is trying to fight the infection. Your neck may feel tender or sore to touch.
Fever
In some cases, the infection may cause your body temperature to rise. You might feel warmer than usual, shivery, or just generally unwell. If you have a fever, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as you can because this often means the infection has become more serious and needs prompt attention. Getting care early can help prevent it from getting worse.
What Causes Pericoronitis?
Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth: When a wisdom tooth only comes out partially, it leaves a flap of gum over it. This flap can trap food and bacteria, which often leads to swelling and infection.
Impacted Tooth: When the wisdom tooth grows at an angle or gets stuck behind other teeth, it becomes hard to clean. Bacteria build up around it and increase the risk of infection.
Poor Oral Hygiene: When brushing and flossing don’t reach the back of your mouth properly, plaque builds up. This makes it easier for bacteria to cause irritation and swelling.
Extra Gum Tissue: When extra gum grows over a wisdom tooth, it can catch food and germs. Even small bits of food left there can trigger an infection.
Weak Immune Response: When your body’s tired or under stress — like if you’re sick or pregnant — it can’t fight bacteria as well. This can make it easier for an infection to start.
Constant Pressure on the Gum: When the opposite tooth keeps biting or pressing on the gum flap, it can irritate the area. This pressure often leads to inflammation or infection.
Is Pericoronitis a Dental Emergency?
Pericoronitis can become a dental emergency even if it starts mild. If you have pain, swelling, trouble opening your mouth, a fever or facial swelling that sticks around, you need to get to a dentist quickly. If the infection is left unchecked, it may spread beyond the gum and jaw and affect your neck or airway, which could become dangerous.
How Is Pericoronitis Treated?
If you’ve been dealing with pain or swelling from pericoronitis, there are a few ways your dentist can help ease the discomfort and stop the situation from getting worse:
In‑Clinic Treatment Options for Pericoronitis
Cleaning the Area: Your Emergency Dentist Perth will clean around the affected gum and tooth to remove food, plaque, and bacteria to help reduce swelling and pain.
Saltwater or Antibacterial Rinse: You may be given a saltwater or antibacterial rinse during your appointment or told to use one at home.
Antibiotics: If the infection has spread or you have swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing, your dentist may give you antibiotics.
Pain Relief: You might get advice to take pain relief medications.
Surgical Options
Gum Flap Removal (Operculectomy): If the gum flap keeps trapping food and causing infections, your dentist may decide to remove it. This is a quick procedure, and your dentist will use a local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable.
Wisdom Tooth Removal: If the problem keeps coming back or the tooth is impacted, your dentist may decide that wisdom tooth removal is the best option. Your dentist or an oral surgeon can do this safely in the clinic or hospital setting, depending on how complicated the removal may be.
Can Pericoronitis Go Away on Its Own?
Most mild pericoronitis won’t go away completely on its own. You might feel a little better after rinsing with warm salt water, but the infection usually comes back if the flap of gum still traps food and bacteria. Without proper cleaning, antibiotics or minor surgery, the infection may keep coming back or even worsen.
Home Care Tips Before Your Appointment
It helps to try some simple care at home before your appointment—it can ease pain and keep the area cleaner until you see your dentist:
Rinse with warm salt water about 3–4 times a day. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, swish it gently around the sore gum and spit it out. This helps reduce swelling and remove trapped debris.
Use an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash twice daily. This can help lower bacteria and soothe the gum without irritating it.
Use a curved syringe or water flosser after you eat to rinse under the gum flap. It helps get rid of any food stuck in there that brushing can miss.
Take over-the-counter pain relief like ibuprofen or paracetamol if you feel sore.
Eat soft foods while the area is healing. Choose meals like soup, yoghurt or mashed potato to avoid irritating the gum.
Use a cold pack on your cheek if it’s swollen. Hold it against the cheek for 10–15 minutes to reduce swelling and numb the pain.
Keep brushing gently around the wisdom tooth at least twice a day. A soft toothbrush helps clear plaque without hurting the sore area.
How to Prevent Pericoronitis
Try to spend a few minutes each day to keep the area clean; it can help stop pericoronitis from starting before your wisdom tooth comes through or causes problems.
Brush and floss daily – Clean your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. This helps stop food and plaque from collecting under any gum flap.
Use an antibacterial mouthwash – Rinse with alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash each day. It reduces germs around those hard‑to‑reach areas.
Visit the dentist regularly – Have check‑ups and clean sessions at least every six months. Your dentist can spot a wisdom tooth issue early and clean the spots where your brush can’t reach.
Consider early wisdom tooth removal – If your dentist sees a tooth growing in the wrong way, they might suggest removing it before it causes problems.
Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods near the back – Foods like popcorn, nuts or toffee can get stuck under a gum flap and lead to infection.
Look after your overall health – Try to take care of your overall health — things like getting enough sleep, staying well, and managing stress can help your immune system fight off infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pericoronitis go away without treatment?
Rinsing your mouth with salt water and keeping your mouth clean may help pericoronitis improve temporarily, but the issue won't typically resolve completely without professional treatment. If the gum flap stays, the issue usually comes back
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How long does pericoronitis last?
If you don't seek treatment, the symptoms may last for days or weeks. But with proper dental care — like cleaning, antibiotics if needed, or a small procedure — it usually gets better in about 3 to 7 days.
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Is pericoronitis dangerous?
In some cases, the infection may spread to surrounding tissues (called cellulitis) or cause trouble with swallowing or breathing — which makes it a serious dental emergency.
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Will I need to remove my wisdom tooth?
Not always. If it’s your first time having symptoms and the tooth is likely to erupt fully, wisdom tooth removal may not be needed. But if the tooth is impacted or symptoms keep returning, extracting the tooth may be the most viable option.
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What’s the difference between pericoronitis and a tooth infection (abscess)?
Pericoronitis is when the gum around a tooth that hasn’t fully erupted, usually a wisdom tooth, becomes swollen and irritated. An abscess is a buildup of pus inside the tooth or in the bone around it, which is often caused by deep decay or serious gum disease. Both can be very painful and need quick treatment.
Do You Need Emergency Dental Care in Perth?
If you’re in Perth and suspect you have pericoronitis, don’t wait until it gets worse. We offer expert care to resolve pain and prevent complications. Call us now (08) 9474 5083 to book your appointment.