Tooth pericoronitis is an intraoral inflammatory process that is caused by an infection of the gingival tissue that surrounds or overlays an erupting or partially erupted tooth.
The tooth pericoronitis is most commonly associated with the eruption of mandibular third molars, even though it can be seen with any erupting teeth.
To treat tooth periocoronitis a dentist will flush away the accumulated food particles and other debris from the area.
Then the dentist will prescribe a course of oral antibiotics to clear up the infection.
Your dentist will also recommend an antibacterial oral rinse that you can use to clear the infected area.
Tooth pericoronitis won't go away on its own and if tooth pericoronitis goes untreated, it can become dangerous after only a couple of weeks.
Typically, either the flap of tissue or the wisdom tooth needs to be removed.
If an infection is present, an antibiotic will be needed, as well.
Pericoronitis of the tooth occurs because the operculum (the soft tissue directly overlying the partially erupted tooth) creates a "plaque stagnation area", which can accumulate food debris and micro-organisms (particularly plaque).
This leads to an inflammatory response in the adjacent soft tissues.
If you have had symptoms for a while but did not go to the dentist, pericoronitis can turn into a dental emergency as it involves further complications.
Chronic symptoms of tooth pericorontitis often only last for 1 to 2 days but keep recurring over a period of months.
Acute symptoms of tooth pericorontitis usually last 3 to 4 days and can include: severe pain that can cause loss of sleep.