Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis is inflammation of the gum tissue around your wisdom teeth. It can happen when a tooth has not come in completely yet. It most often affects wisdom teeth that are only partly through the gum, or an impacted tooth.

Cleveland Clinic lists cleanings, antibiotics and surgery as treatments. Some people only need monitoring, while others need the gum flap or the tooth removed. See your dentist if you have these signs. Facial swelling that spreads toward the eye or neck, or trouble breathing or swallowing, calls for emergency medical care. Call 911 or go to an emergency room. Our office describes removals on its tooth extraction page.