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Located at 20 Old Brompton Road – Just Steps from South Kensington Tube. Easy Access, Always.
25 Nov 2025
Infection in wisdom tooth is a common experience for many people at some point in their lives, but few understand how serious it can be. For some it’s easy to dismiss as an inconvenience; however, it is essential to identify when it becomes a dental emergency. When left untreated, wisdom teeth infection can result in serious complications to your health. If it starts to hurt, swell or other symptoms come up; treating your wisdom tooth infection promptly can make all the difference.
Pericoronitis refers to the inflammation of the gum tissue that surrounds your wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are sometimes called third molars as they are usually the last set of adult teeth to erupt (come in), often between late teens and early 20s.
Pericoronitis can occur around one or sometimes more than one wisdom tooth. It typically occurs when a wisdom tooth is partially impacted (stuck) beneath the gum tissue. A lower wisdom tooth is more likely to develop pericoronitis than an upper wisdom tooth; however it can occur to an upper wisdom tooth.
If the wisdom tooth is impacted, a gum flap or a soft tissue can develop and cover the top. The flap of gum that develops is called an operculum and it generally covers part of the crown of the wisdom tooth. Anything that can be below the operculum can become trapped under it; which includes food, bacteria and debris. If this occurs, it can lead to an infected wisdom tooth.
Pericoronitis or wisdom tooth infection can be both acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Some of the most common infected wisdom tooth symptoms are listed below.
The symptoms of acute pericoronitis or early stage wisdom tooth infection include:
On the other hand, the signs of wisdom tooth infection that is chronic include:
Partial impaction of a tooth is the primary cause of pericoronitis. when a tooth is trapped and partially impacted in your gums, bacteria can accumulate and cause swelling and infection.
You will have higher risks of developing pericoronitis if you:
Pericoronitis is not contagious. The bacteria involved are normal oral bacteria, not transmissible pathogens. Therefore, a person with pericoronitis can spread infection by activities like kissing or sharing the same utensils and cups.
Your dentist will ask about symptoms and examine wisdom teeth and other gum tissue that may be in excess. They will likely take dental X-rays to evaluate the health of your dental roots to rule out other pain related causes, such as cavities.
Book an immediate appointment for fast relief from wisdom tooth infection. Get expert diagnosis, same-day treatment, and pain management from our experienced dental team.
The treatment for wisdom teeth infection is different for each individual. The dentist may recommend antibiotics for wisdom tooth infection, cleaning the area, mouth rinse, removal of the operculum (the gum flap) or removal of wisdom teeth – depending on the amount of inflammation present.
Your dentist will irrigate the affected area to flush it out of any food particles, bacteria or debris. Your dentist may also prescribe medication (like antibiotics or an antibacterial mouthwash) to assist in recovery.
Oral antibiotic for wisdom teeth infection will help clear up an infection of pericoronitis. Make sure to follow your provider’s directions for medication administration precisely as recommended.
Your dentist may recommend using a mouthwash that requires a prescription and contains chlorhexidine (topical antiseptic). It kills harmful bacteria in your mouth.
It is possible for individuals who apply rinses of chlorhexidine to experience temporary side effects. These include alterations in taste or dental staining. Typically, the side effects are mild and short-lived. Follow your dentist’s instructions during use.
Often, your dentist will suggest that the tissue flap (operculum) be surgically removed. This procedure is a short one, performed under local anaesthesia. Most often your provider can complete this procedure with local anaesthesia in less than an hour.
If your wisdom tooth continues to produce pericoronitis or other symptoms, your dentist may determine that your wisdom tooth needs to be removed. This can be done by an oral surgeon or periodontist.
To relieve your symptoms of pericoronitis at home, you may:
This is dependent upon a variety of factors and the severity of your case. For example, mild pericoronitis can last a few days, whereas severe cases could last up to a few weeks. With treatment it can typically resolve in a couple of weeks; however, if left untreated the symptoms will probably return.
Sometimes pericoronitis will occur temporarily while a wisdom tooth is erupting, and here your dentist may just monitor the situation to see if it gets better on its own.
However, if your wisdom teeth are causing problems, your dentist will discuss treatment options with you.
If untreated, pericoronitis can turn into a dental abscess wisdom tooth which could allow the infection to spread elsewhere in your body and also be potentially life-threatening. With treatment, most people recover from pericoronitis in a couple of weeks. It is important to get treated sooner than later, before it gets worse.
You cannot prevent pericoronitis entirely. In some cases, it can occur despite very good oral hygiene practices. However there are ways to reduce your risk:
Yes, if you have any symptoms of pericoronitis – such as pain, fever or bleeding gums – contact your dentist and get an appointment as soon as possible. Your dentist may prescribe you antibiotics to clear up any infection and may determine if you need further treatment.
Schedule your Pericoronitis treatment today and prevent swelling, pain, and further complications with prompt professional care.
Pericoronitis can lead to a domino effect of problems, such as oral problems as well as general health problems, if left untreated. There are easy management options if it is diagnosed and treated early. Some patients with pericoronitis may only require observation and maybe some patients require surgery to remove the gum flap or the affected wisdom tooth. Consult your dentist about which option is best for you. For further guidance on wisdom tooth infection, get in touch with our dental experts at Emergency Dentists in London.
You may need to remove a wisdom tooth if:
The dentist will evaluate the tooth’s condition with X-rays and an oral examination to determine if the tooth needs to be extracted.
Yes, you should continue to brush around the infected wisdom tooth, but do so gently. It is important to keep brushing because without flossing and brushing regularly you could have more bacterial build-up. Use a soft-bristled brush so as not to irritate the painful or swollen area, and rinse with warm salt water or an antibacterial mouthwash to help eliminate bacteria around the infection.
In some cases, wisdom tooth pain may eventually subside without treatment. However, a healthcare professional may recommend dental surgery if the pain is severe, or if wisdom teeth are associated with infection, tooth decay, cysts or other damage to surrounding teeth.
Pericoronitis generally starts as some level of pain and swelling at the back of your mouth, usually near a partially erupted wisdom tooth. The pain may radiate into nearby tissue. You may notice it gets worse when chewing or over time. If it progresses, additional symptoms may include bad breath, an unpleasant taste in your mouth, difficulty opening your mouth, pus formation and difficulty swallowing.
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