Ever felt a throbbing pain in the back of your mouth that makes chewing a nightmare? You might be dealing with pericoronitis—a surprisingly common issue tied to your wisdom teeth.

Pericoronitis is an inflammation of gum tissue around a partially erupted tooth, often a wisdom tooth. Over 80% of people in their 20s face wisdom tooth issues, and pericoronitis is a top culprit.

This guide breaks down symptoms, treatments, and prevention tips—plus, real stories from sufferers.

What Is Pericoronitis? 

Bacteria and debris get trapped under a gum flap (operculum), causing swelling, pain, or infection. It can be acute (severe pain, fever) or chronic (mild, recurring discomfort). Think of it like a splinter under your skin—small but painful if ignored.

Signs and Symptoms you Can’t Ignore includes bad breath, jaw pain, swelling, difficulty chewing, fever, or pus.

Causes could be partial tooth eruption, poor oral hygiene, or trauma from chewing.

Home Care: Rinsing with warm saltwater, over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen), and gentle brushing.

Dental Visits: Professional cleaning, antibiotics for infections, or operculectomy

Extraction: Removing the wisdom tooth for recurrent cases.

Pros and Cons: “Home remedies ease pain fast but won’t fix the root issue.”

Prevention Tips :

Oral hygiene: brush twice daily, floss, use antiseptic mouthwash. You can use an electric toothbrush https://amzn.to/3G9Vhtp , mouthwash https://amzn.to/42uH6Xc , Water Flosser https://amzn.to/42pJlLu

Regular dental checkups to catch issues early.

The author of this article is Dr Gautam Sharma, 

The author of this article is Dr Gautam Sharma, MDS, President of Indian Dental Associati to Dr Amandeep Kaur Gynaecology Clinic, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. For Appointment Call 7006672655.

For Consultation and Treatment call 7006672655