Impacted Wisdom Teeth & Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis refers to the infection and inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding a partially emerged wisdom tooth. Removing impacted wisdom teeth is one of the most effective ways to resolve pericoronitis. Additional treatment options are outlined further below.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Third Molars

A wisdom tooth is your third and final set of molars, which typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 21. Most people develop four wisdom teeth in total — one in each corner of the mouth, two on the upper jaw and two on the lower.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When wisdom teeth are unable to fully break through the gum or are blocked by the jawbone and only partially emerge, they are referred to as “impacted wisdom teeth.”

This occurs when there is insufficient space in the jaw for the teeth to come through in the correct alignment. An impacted wisdom tooth can give rise to a number of oral health problems, including gum disease and tooth decay, and may require prompt attention from a dental professional.

Problems an Impacted Wisdom Tooth Can Cause

When a wisdom tooth fails to emerge properly through the gumline and remains impacted, you may notice the following pericoronitis symptoms:

pain in the jaw and ear
infection
tender or swollen gums
an unpleasant taste in the mouth
bad breath

What Is Pericoronitis?

“Swelling and irritation of the gum tissue around an erupting wisdom tooth”

Pericoronitis is the term used to describe infection and inflammation in the soft tissue surrounding an impacted or partially erupted wisdom tooth.

Put simply, pericoronitis is a wisdom tooth infection.

Pericoronitis most commonly affects:

adults aged between 20 and 40
the lower third molar (bottom wisdom tooth)

What Causes Pericoronitis?

Operculum: When a wisdom tooth only partially erupts, a flap of gum tissue — known as an operculum — can form over the top of it. This flap readily traps food particles and creates an environment where bacteria thrive, eventually leading to gum inflammation. As food debris and bacteria accumulate beneath the operculum, an abscess may develop.

If left untreated, this abscess can spread and trigger a full pericoronitis infection.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pericoronitis?

The intensity of pericoronitis symptoms is largely dependent on the severity of the infection. Symptoms can range from mild and manageable to acute and debilitating.

Chronic Pericoronitis Symptoms

bad breath
an unpleasant taste in the mouth
a lingering dull ache lasting up to two days
mild soreness and discomfort beneath the overlying gum flap
swelling of the gum tissue around the affected tooth
discharge of pus from the swollen gum area
pain when biting down
localised redness and tissue swelling
difficulty opening the mouth comfortably

Acute Pericoronitis Symptoms

intense pain
pain when swallowing
fever
swollen lymph nodes
jaw muscle spasms
pus discharge
visible swelling on the side of the face near the affected tooth

Acute symptoms typically persist for around three to four days.

Types of Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis is classified as either chronic or acute.

Chronic Pericoronitis

Chronic pericoronitis involves low-grade, ongoing inflammation of the surrounding tissue, often with minimal or no noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they tend to be mild, recurring, and short-lived — generally resolving within one to two days.

Acute Pericoronitis

Acute pericoronitis occurs when a previously mild condition escalates, with the infection spreading beyond the immediate area. This can result in significant pain, pronounced swelling, and fever.

Individuals with inadequate oral hygiene habits are at a higher risk of developing acute pericoronitis.

Can Pericoronitis Be Life-Threatening?

In serious cases, the infection associated with pericoronitis can extend to neighbouring structures including the jaw and neck. Although rare, complications arising from severe pericoronitis have the potential to become life-threatening. It is important to visit a dentist at the earliest sign of pericoronitis to address the condition before it progresses. Do not delay seeking care if you notice symptoms worsening rapidly.

What Are the Risk Factors for Pericoronitis?

Those in their twenties with a wisdom tooth that has not properly erupted face the greatest risk of developing pericoronitis.

Common risk factors include:

a flap of excess gum tissue sitting over the crown of a wisdom tooth
poor oral hygiene
difficulty accessing and cleaning the area around the affected tooth
stress
excessive gum tissue coverage
being between the ages of 20 and 29

A person’s general health status does not appear to increase their likelihood of developing pericoronitis, and gender is not considered a contributing risk factor.

How Can Pericoronitis Be Prevented?

Maintaining thorough and consistent oral hygiene is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of pericoronitis, along with a range of other dental health issues.

A strong oral hygiene routine includes:

brushing twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
flossing at least once a day to remove food debris and plaque from between the teeth
scheduling regular dental check-ups to monitor your oral health

For more detailed information about wisdom teeth and their removal, visit our Wisdom Teeth page.

Pericoronitis Treatment

What Are the Available Treatment Options?

Managing pericoronitis requires professional dental assessment. Your dentist or oral surgeon will examine the affected area and determine the most suitable course of treatment based on the severity of your condition.

Treatment options include:

Saltwater rinse: Gently rinsing the mouth with warm salt water or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution can help ease milder symptoms and reduce bacterial activity in the affected area.

Thorough cleaning of the area: If the infection remains localised, your dentist may irrigate and carefully clean the region around the tooth, removing trapped food particles and debris to reduce inflammation.

Oral antibiotics: Where swelling has extended to the cheek, jaw, or neck, your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics to bring the infection under control.

Pain relief medication: Over-the-counter or prescribed pain relievers can help reduce discomfort and manage associated swelling during treatment.

Minor oral surgery (operculectomy): In some cases, the overlying gum flap is surgically removed to expose the tooth and allow for proper cleaning. This procedure, typically performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, helps prevent the continued accumulation of food and bacteria in the area.

Wisdom tooth extraction: When pericoronitis is recurrent or the tooth is unlikely to erupt correctly, removal of the wisdom tooth is often the most reliable long-term solution. It is worth noting that even after the gum flap is removed, tissue regrowth can occur — making extraction the preferred approach in many cases.

Severe pericoronitis cannot be adequately managed through home remedies alone. Professional dental care is essential to treat the infection effectively and reduce the risk of further complications.