Emergency & New Patients Welcome!
It might start subtly—some soreness at the back of your mouth, maybe a swollen gum flap at the rear of your last molar. You try to brush it away, salt water rinse, or even just ignore it, hoping it goes away on its own. But within days, the ache becomes worse. Your jaw is tight, gums hurt, and eating is uncomfortable. If this is you, you may have pericoronitis, a common infection around a partially emerged wisdom tooth.
Pericoronitis is more than a sore spot. It requires immediate attention to deescalate the situation. Meet an emergency dentist in Fort Worth like Dr. Patel – your best bet.
What Is Pericoronitis, and Why Does It Happen?
Pericoronitis is a type of infection in which gum tissue over a wisdom tooth traps plaque, food, or bacteria. The infection usually involves lower third molars that have not erupted completely through the gumline.
It’s a perfect environment for bacteria. When the gum flap around the tooth gets inflamed, it can swell, trap debris, and develop into an infected sore that heals on its own.
Symptoms can include:
- Pain in the mouth
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Bad taste or bad breath
- Stiffness of your jaw or difficulty in swallowing
- Cheek or jaw swelling
If you notice any of these signs, contact our emergency dentist in Fort Worth in no time.
How Does an Emergency Dentist in Fort Worth Treat It
Dr. Patel sees pericoronitis patients regularly. The first step is a thorough evaluation in order to make the diagnosis. Treatment at this point is determined by how advanced the infection is.
Initial steps in the majority of cases are:
- Thorough cleansing of the area
- Antimicrobial mouth rinses
- Antibiotics prescribed
- Careful cleaning to remove impacted material
If pain and swelling are severe, pain relief on a temporary basis is the initial goal. In recurring cases, surgery to remove the gum flap or even the wisdom tooth can be the long-term solution.
Treatment will always depend on your situation. That is why it is important to call an emergency dentist in Fort Worth so that complications like abscesses or jaw infections can be prevented.
Can You Prevent Wisdom Tooth Infections?
There is no guaranteed method of avoiding pericoronitis, but brushing and flossing daily, especially around erupting molars, may help. Preventive appointments with the dentist also allow your dentist to monitor the movement and alignment of wisdom teeth.
The best dentist in Fort Worth won’t just fix an infection; they’ll prevent you from having one in the first place. As a teenager getting your first wisdom tooth or as an adult with recurring soreness, one-on-one dentistry does make a difference.
Pericoronitis can get worse fast, but its solution is easier than you think. If your gum is swollen, sore, or bleeding near a wisdom tooth, don’t wait. Contact Dr. Patel, a trusted emergency dentist in Fort Worth, to get instant relief and a long-term solution that meets your needs.
