Dental Care

Pericoronitis - Symptoms and What To Do

Especially if you are struggling with a specific condition, like pericoronitis, dental expenses can really mount up.

However, more troubling than that is the fact that many dental conditions can sound really scary. 

The truth is that you do not have to stay fearful of any dental issues. 

Instead, with some research and education you can enlighten yourself so that dental conditions are not so scary anymore. 

So, What Is It? 

Basically you develop pericoronitis when a bacterial infection arises in your mouth. 

This infection sprouts up in the tissues that surround a partially showing tooth.  This often happens when a tooth is just breaking through the gums or perhaps it may arise when your tooth becomes impacted. 

Basically, when those conditions arise it can become increasingly more difficult to properly clean the dental plaque that may develop around that impacted tooth. 

In actuality the tooth is really difficult to properly clean which only allows the bacteria to continue to grow and irritate the surrounding tissues. 

Unfortunately pericoronitis is a condition which can continually reappear in your mouth if you do not actively treat the infected area. 

Tooth Development and Infection

So what does that really mean?  When a tooth is developing the crown, or bulk of the tooth, grows in something called the follicular sac

Once it has formed it needs to burst through the gum tissues to be used as a chewing tool in your mouth. 

However, when it burst through that tissue the sac is also burst which allows bacteria living in your mouth to travel to the crown area of the tooth. 

Truth be told there is no real way to defend yourself from this as it can be tough to properly clean a tooth in this state.  Even more unfortunate is the fact that infection can easily spread to adjoining tissues.


Typically if you are suffering from pericoronitis you will notice a variety of symptoms. 

One of the most common is simply swelling of the gum surrounding your affected tooth.  This can actually get to be quite severe and may result in facial swelling in addition to an inability to open your mouth. 

This can really get to be quite painful and in severe cases may result in the closing of a person's airways and an inability to breathe.  You may also run into some sever halitosis or bad breath as a result of the infection.  Or you might find yourself dealing with a very unpleasant taste coming from the infected area. 

If you notice any of these symptoms you will want to seek medical attention from your dental professional. 

When you go to your dentist you will want them to evaluate your condition as well as prescribe a method of treatment. 

Generally you can expect your dentist to prescribe some sort of antibiotic.  The goal of this is to fight off the bacterial infection so that you symptoms can subside and the area can return to a healthier state. 

Additionally, your dentist may advise you to simply rinse your mouth with a warm salt water rinse.  To do this you will typically mix 3 parts water 1 part salt, warm it, and simply swish it around your mouth for a few minutes at a time.  This will help to reduce any swelling, disinfect the area, and soothe some of the pain associated with the infection. 

While you are doing this you want to be sure that you do not have any food trapped around the infected tissues as that can lead to further problems. 

Further Treatment

In severe cases of pericoronitis you may have to have some oral surgery.  Typically for this type of surgery your dentist or oral surgeon will go into your mouth to remove any excess gum tissues. 

Additionally, you may need to have the impacted tooth removed to ensure that you do not run into further problems with pericoronitis.  You may even find your dentist using a low-level laser to help reduce the swelling and pain that you are dealing with. 

Dental issues are never fun, and pericoronitis is no exception to that rule.  However, you do not have to suffer in silence. 

Once you understand what the symptoms are you can work towards identifying if you suffer from those.  Additionally, with the proper medical treatment you will get a true diagnosis and treatment plan. 

While pericoronitis is an uncomfortable condition it is not life threatening with proper treatment. 

Speak with your dentist to determine which course of action is best for you, and then follow through with it.  If you do that you can trust that you'll be feeling better in no time! 


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