Wisdom teeth usually emerge during your late teens or early 20s. Some of them grow at odd impacted angles and they never fully emerge out of the gums, resulting in the formation of deep gum pockets or gum flaps. These pockets are often difficult or even impossible to clean and they create a breeding ground for bacteria, which results in an infection called pericoronitis.
Some of the symptoms include [1]:
- Red and inflamed gums
- Bad breath
- Pain near the wisdom tooth
- Blister or bump in gum
- Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Fever
It is possible to alleviate these symptoms with a thorough cleaning. However, these symptoms will reappear if the wisdom tooth is not removed [2]. Hence, it is important to see a dentist if you experience these symptoms.
References:
1. Impacted wisdom teeth - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Published 2018. Accessed December 16, 2019.
2. Wisdom teeth. Vic.gov.au. Published 2012. Accessed December 16, 2019.
