Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, do not always come into the mouth properly. Sometimes, a tooth comes in part of the way and a flap of gum tissue covers part of the tooth. This happens more often with the lower wisdom teeth than with the upper ones. Bacteria and pieces of food can get trapped under this flap. The gum may swell and become irritated. This is an infection called pericoronitis.
Do not use warm compresses on your face. You can swish warm salt water around in your mouth. This may help to reduce the swelling, but it will not solve the problem. Visit a dentist as soon as possible.
Your dentist will rinse under the flap of tissue with water to clean the area. If the area is infected, your dentist most likely will prescribe antibiotics.
Your dentist will tell you how to keep the area clean. This is the best way to keep the problem from coming back. You will have to brush and floss every day, and rinse your mouth several times a day. This will help to prevent bits of food from building up in the area. Even with good oral hygiene, the problem may occur again.
If the condition returns, your dentist probably will send you to an oral surgeon, who may suggest that you remove the flap of gum tissue or the tooth. Removing the flap of tissue may not solve the problem, however. In that case, you will need to have the tooth extracted.
Once the tooth is out, you rarely have the problem again. If the problem is caused by an upper wisdom tooth biting the gum that covers a lower wisdom tooth, the upper one may be removed. The oral surgeon may recommend that you have the upper wisdom tooth removed to prevent it from biting into the lower gum after the lower tooth is extracted.
