Pericoronitis is an oral health condition causing inflammation of the tissue surrounding the third molar, commonly known as the wisdom tooth. Pericoronitis affects impacted partially visible molars. It more commonly occurs in the lower molars than the upper ones.
What Is Pericoronitis?
A bacterial infection, pericoronitis, results in a partially impacted molar. Bacteria accumulate around the soft tissue and cause inflammation. The following people are more prone to pericoronitis:
- Those aged 20 to 29
- Those with poor dental hygiene
- Those who have excessive gum tissue
- Those with incorrectly erupted wisdom teeth
- Those with fatigue and emotional stress
- Pregnant women
What Are The Symptoms Of Wisdom Tooth Infection?
The symptoms of pericoronitis vary depending on whether it is chronic or acute. For example, the symptoms of chronic pericoronitis can include the following:
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- A mild but nagging ache that lasts for a few days
- Awful taste in the mouth
Similarly, acute pericoronitis manifests as:
- Severe pain near the teeth at the back.
- Pain when swallowing
- Swollen gum tissue
- Pus discharge
- Lockjaw or trismus
Sometimes, the infection may go beyond the affected tooth to other areas in the mouth. In rare cases, pericoronitis may develop into Ludwig’s angina (when the infection spreads to the head and neck) or sepsis (when the infection spreads to the bloodstream), both life-threatening conditions.
Can Pericoronitis Be Cured At Home?
Yes! Some home treatments may work to treat pericoronitis naturally. These include:
- Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water
- Over-the-counter pain killers
- Oral water irrigators
- Maintaining oral hygiene