When the last set of teeth in our mouths come in, that is, wisdom teeth, some people experience incredible pain, right? There are times when the gums become swollen and it becomes so difficult to eat. Have you had a similar experience? If so, here is a very important medical name for this condition and what you need to know about it.
Do you know what pericoronitis is?
Simply put, pericoronitis is an inflammation of the gum tissue around your wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt as we grow older, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. Sometimes these wisdom teeth don't fully erupt, but can become partially impacted. This is called an "impacted" or "impacted" tooth. Pericoronitis most commonly occurs around a partially impacted wisdom tooth. It is most often seen around lower wisdom teeth, but it can also occur around upper teeth.
Imagine that your wisdom tooth has not fully emerged and has only just emerged from the gum. Then, a small flap of gum, called an operculum , forms over the tooth. This is like covering part of the crown of the tooth. What happens now? The food particles we eat, the bacteria in our mouth, and other debris get stuck under this flap. When it gets stuck , an infection develops, swelling, and pain begin. That's what we call pericoronitis.
Who is more likely to develop it? What are the symptoms?
Pericoronitis is one of the most common dental problems. Anyone with wisdom teeth can develop it. However, it is most common in young people between the ages of 20 and 29. Both men and women can develop this condition.
The symptoms of this can come on suddenly and subside within a few days (acute), or they can continue to increase and decrease (chronic).
Acute symptoms
These are usually mild and appear quickly.
- You may get a fever .
- I feel a sharp pain in the back of my mouth near my teeth.
- The gum tissue becomes red and swollen.
- Sometimes pus can appear .
- You may feel discomfort and a sore throat when swallowing food.
- Difficulty opening the mouth, a condition that feels like the jaw is stuck (trismus), can occur.
- The face, especially the chin, may swell .
- The lymph nodes in the neck may also swell .
Imagine, Nilanthi suddenly felt pain where her wisdom tooth was coming in, couldn't open her mouth properly, her cheeks were swollen, and she had a fever. When she went to the doctor, she was told it was pericoronitis.
Chronic symptoms
These are usually not that serious, but they can appear from time to time and be annoying.
- A mild, occasional pain or discomfort in the back of the mouth near the teeth.
- Bad breath (halitosis) .
- Feeling a bad taste in the mouth.
Why does pericoronitis occur? What are the risk factors?
The main reason is that the wisdom tooth is partially impacted in the gum (partial tooth impaction). When a tooth is partially impacted in this way, as mentioned earlier, it is easy for bacteria to accumulate under the gum lid (operculum). These bacteria are what cause swelling, inflammation, and infection there.
There are several other risk factors that contribute to the development of this condition:
- Age 20s: This is when wisdom teeth erupt.
- Having wisdom teeth that have not completely erupted.
- Suffering from severe stress: Stress reduces the body's immunity and increases the risk of infections.
- Having excess gum tissue: This increases the chance of bacteria getting trapped.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes increase the risk of gingivitis.
- Poor oral hygiene: If you don't brush your teeth properly and keep your mouth clean, it's easy for bacteria to grow.
Is this a contagious disease?
Here's a little something to understand. Pericoronitis itself is not contagious. That means you won't catch it from talking to or being around someone who has pericoronitis.
However, the bacteria that cause this can be passed on to another person through saliva. This means that if you kiss someone who has pericoronitis or use things like cups, cutlery, etc. that they have used, you could get the bacteria into your body and possibly cause an infection. So it's good to be careful.
How does a dentist recognize this?
If you have symptoms of pericoronitis, when you visit a dentist, they will first ask you about your symptoms. Then they will carefully examine the area where your wisdom teeth are, looking for any extra gum tissue, such as the operculum.
In addition, dental X-rays may be performed to check the condition of the roots of the tooth and to rule out other causes of pain (such as cavities). This is the only way to determine if it is pericoronitis.
What are the treatments for pericoronitis?
Treatment options can vary depending on the severity of your condition and the extent of the swelling. The main treatments include:
Cleanings done by the dentist
The dentist will use special fluids to thoroughly rinse and clean the infected area (irrigation). This will remove all the trapped food particles, bacteria, and debris. Sometimes, antibiotics or an antiseptic mouthwash may be prescribed.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be prescribed to control and reduce the infection. Remember, you must take these medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor, for the full duration of time. Otherwise, the infection may not be controlled properly.
Special mouthwash
Sometimes your doctor will recommend using a special mouthwash that contains an antiseptic like chlorhexidine . This helps kill harmful bacteria in your mouth.
However, some people may experience temporary changes in taste and teeth staining when using chlorhexidine. However, these are usually temporary. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
Operculectomy (Gingival flap removal surgery)
In many cases, your dentist may recommend removing that pesky operculum . This is a minor surgery. It is usually done under local anesthesia and can be completed in less than an hour. Sometimes, sedation may be used if necessary. This will greatly reduce the chance of bacteria getting stuck.
Wisdom tooth extraction surgery
If your wisdom tooth continues to cause problems, such as pericoronitis, or if there are other problems, you may need to have your wisdom tooth removed . This is done by an oral surgeon or a periodontist. This may or may not require sedation.
How can we get relief at home?
While you are receiving medical treatment, there are a few things you can do at home to help relieve some of this pain and discomfort:
- Gargle with warm salt water three to four times a day. This will help reduce swelling and control germs.
- Rinse your mouth twice a day with an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash.
- You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (like Panadol) or ibuprofen (like ibuprofen) to control pain. But take them as directed.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss between your teeth.
How long will this condition last? Will it get better on its own?
How long this lasts varies depending on the severity of the condition. If it is mild, it may subside in a few days. If it is severe, it may last for several weeks.
However, with proper treatment, symptoms usually improve within a week or two. If left untreated, symptoms are more likely to recur.
Sometimes, when a wisdom tooth erupts, a temporary condition called pericoronitis may develop, which may resolve on its own once the tooth has fully erupted. In such cases, the dentist will tell you to wait a while. However, if the problem persists, treatment is definitely needed.
Can pericoronitis be prevented?
In fact, it is impossible to completely prevent pericoronitis. Sometimes, no matter how good your oral hygiene is, it can still occur. This is because of the way wisdom teeth erupt.
However, there are things we can do to reduce the risk:
- Brush your teeth thoroughly two or three times a day.
- Floss between your teeth at least once a day.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash twice a day.
- Visit a dentist at regular intervals to have your teeth checked and cleaned.
- Follow the treatment recommendations given by the dentist exactly.
Can pericoronitis be serious? Should I seek medical advice?
Yes, this is not something to take lightly. If left untreated, pericoronitis can become severe enough to cause an abscess. If that happens, the infection can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. Although very rare, it can even be life-threatening. That's why it's important to be aware of it.
Therefore, if you have symptoms of pericoronitis – pain, fever, swollen gums, or bleeding around your wisdom tooth – be sure to see a dentist right away. The doctor can then prescribe antibiotics to control the infection and determine if further treatment is needed.
Remember, if you recognize and treat this condition early, it can be easily managed. Some people can simply be monitored and cleaned. Others may need surgery to remove the gum flap or wisdom teeth. Talk to your dentist about the best treatment for you.
If we put these conversations together (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so here are some things you need to remember from what we've talked about:
- Pericoronitis is a condition in which the gums around the wisdom teeth become swollen and infected.
- The main reason for this is that the wisdom tooth cannot come up properly and is stuck in the socket, allowing bacteria to accumulate underneath.
- Symptoms may include pain, swelling, fever, and difficulty opening the mouth .
- This condition is not contagious, but bacteria can be passed through saliva.
- It is essential to seek dental advice. If left untreated, it can become serious.
- Treatment may include cleanings, antibiotics, gum flap removal, or wisdom tooth extraction .
- Maintaining good oral health and regular dental checkups can reduce the risk.
So, if you too have this problem with your wisdom teeth, don't be afraid to see a dentist and get advice. Quick treatment can help you get better quickly!
` Pericoronitis, wisdom teeth, gum disease, toothache, oral health, dentist
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