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What should I do if the gum near my wisdom tooth is red, swollen, and painful?

Nov 26, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Chao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, redness and pain in the gum near the wisdom tooth may be caused by various factors such as improper positioning of the wisdom tooth, insufficient space for wisdom tooth growth, pericoronitis, dental caries in the wisdom tooth, or acute apical periodontitis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention and undergo general treatment, medication, or surgical treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintain good oral hygiene to prevent food debris accumulation and bacterial infection.

    In general, redness and pain in the gum next to a wisdom tooth may be caused by various factors, including incorrect positioning of the wisdom tooth, insufficient space for wisdom tooth growth, pericoronitis, dental caries in the wisdom tooth, or acute apical periodontitis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention and undergo general treatment, medication, or surgical treatment under a doctor's guidance. A detailed explanation is as follows:

    1. Improper Positioning of the Wisdom Tooth

    During the eruption of a wisdom tooth, if its position is incorrect—for example, if it grows horizontally—it may become impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth can form a deep blind pocket between the tooth and the gum, where food debris and bacteria can easily accumulate, causing inflammation and resulting in redness and pain in the adjacent gum tissue. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, and fever in the area of the wisdom tooth. Timely medical attention is recommended for local irrigation to remove food debris and bacteria from the blind pocket. If the wisdom tooth cannot fully erupt and repeatedly becomes inflamed, tooth extraction should be considered.

    2. Insufficient Space for Wisdom Tooth Growth

    If there is insufficient space for the wisdom tooth to grow, it may partially erupt, causing pressure on the soft tissues, impaired blood circulation, and decreased local resistance, making it more susceptible to bacterial infection and inflammation, which leads to redness and pain in the gum next to the wisdom tooth. This may be accompanied by tenderness in the area of the wisdom tooth and difficulty chewing. It is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth regularly and rinsing the mouth after meals to prevent food debris from remaining. If symptoms are severe, wisdom tooth extraction is recommended.

    3. Pericoronitis of the Wisdom Tooth

    Pericoronitis is a localized inflammation caused by bacterial infection. Toxins produced by bacteria breaking down food debris can worsen the inflammation, causing redness and pain in the gum next to the wisdom tooth. Symptoms may include fever and swollen lymph nodes. It is recommended to seek prompt medical attention for local irrigation and treatment, and to use medications such as amoxicillin capsules, acetaminophen tablets, and metronidazole tablets to control the infection. Severe cases may require surgical removal of the wisdom tooth.

    4. Dental Caries in the Wisdom Tooth

    Due to deep grooves on the surface of the wisdom tooth that are difficult to clean, food debris may remain, allowing bacteria to erode the enamel, forming cavities. The infection can spread to the gum tissue, causing inflammation and resulting in redness and pain in the gum next to the wisdom tooth. Tooth sensitivity may also occur. Prompt dental treatment is recommended to restore the cavity, and using fluoride mouthwash can enhance the tooth's resistance to acid. If the cavity is too large, root canal treatment or tooth extraction may be necessary.

    5. Acute Apical Periodontitis

    If there is apical periodontitis in the wisdom tooth, the periodontal tissues around the apex of the tooth root may become inflamed, leading to redness and pain in the gum next to the wisdom tooth. Symptoms may also include spontaneous and intermittent throbbing pain, pain upon biting, and tooth mobility. It is recommended to use anti-inflammatory medications such as ornidazole tablets, tinidazole tablets, and diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsules under medical guidance. Additionally, incision and drainage, along with root canal treatment, should be performed to eliminate inflammation in the root apex and dental pulp. If the wisdom tooth cannot be preserved, extraction should be considered.

    In daily life, maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing teeth frequently and rinsing the mouth after meals is important to prevent food debris accumulation and bacterial infection.

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