What You Need to Know about Pericoronitis

Posted on 4/10/2016 by Renee Bancroft

A women suffering from pericoronitis causing her pain!

Do you still have your wisdom teeth? If so, you may be at risk of developing Pericoronitis. This is a low-grade infection that results if the wisdom teeth don't fully erupt and a part of the tooth is covered by a flap of the gums.

Unfortunately, this space is a great place for food, bacteria, and other debris to hide out and irritate the area, specifically with the wisdom teeth of the lower jaw. If your wisdom teeth haven't been removed, you'll want to know the signs of this infection and what you should do about it.

What Are the Signs of Pericoronitis?

There are several symptoms that may indicate this infection, including:

•	Bad breath
•	A bad taste in the mouth that doesn't go away
•	Pain around the back of your mouth near the wisdom teeth
•	Swelling found by the wisdom teeth, which could make it painful to bite down
•	Inability to open your mouth all the way

If you notice any of these symptoms, don't try to manage them on your own, and never place a warm compress onto your face to try and relieve your discomfort. Call your dentist right away.

What Can Be Done to Treat Pericoronitis?

Pericoronitis can be difficult to treat. The flap of tissue that is causing the problem is going to stay there until the tooth emerges all the way. Unfortunately, this isn't likely to happen, so you may need an oral surgeon to either extract the tooth or the flap.

Until then, your general dentist can help. He will likely clean the area thoroughly in order to remove any bacteria, pus, or damaged tissue. If an infection is present, which is usually the case, you'll also be given oral antibiotics.

The best way to prevent the problem from coming back is to clean the area well, but if the condition persists, please contact us right away.

What Sets Us Apart

PATIENT EDUCATION
We know that involving you in the decision-making process, and having you be an active, educated proponent of your oral healthcare, is essential for a positive outcome, and we’ll do everything in our power to ensure you are empowered and involved.

Each Patient is Unique
At Northwest Implant and Specialized Dentistry, we are committed to providing each patient with individualized, professional care that restores optimal oral health and smiles. Here we understand that every patient has unique clinical needs, and the expertise of Dr. Hauck and Dr. Freuen and our experienced team allows us to craft treatment plans that are right for each person we see.

Our Technology
Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies for diagnostics and procedures, and each member of our team is highly trained in providing exceptional care. Our staff pursues continuing education programs throughout the year to keep our skills and knowledge on the leading edge.

STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY

Technological advances benefit both the doctor and patient
3D Cone Beam| CAD/CAM | Digital X-rays | Intraoral Camera

Dr. Hauck and Dr. Freuen
9911 N Nevada Ste 120
Spokane, WA 99218

Dental Implants
Teeth in a Day

Read what our patients
are saying about us

Schedule an Appointment

Northwest Implants and Specialized Dentistry - Dr. Hauck and Dr. Freun, 9911 N Nevada St, Spokane, WA, 99218 - Key Phrases: dental implants Spokane WA | dental implants Spokane WA | 509-467-5268 | www.nwimplantsandsleep.com | 7/15/2019

Go to Mobile website