Pacific Oral Surgery

Pacific Oral Surgery

Simi Valley Office
2655 First Street Ste 340
Simi Valley, CA 93065
805-522-2700
Thousand Oaks Office
307 South Moorpark Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
805-497-8571
Ventura Office
6555 Telephone Rd, Ste 1
Ventura, CA 93003
805-650-1840
  • Home
  • Our Team
    • Our Team
      • James O. Jacobs, DDS, MS
      • Sebastian R. Carlson, DDS, MD
      • Richard H. Bruckner, DDS
      • D. John Webb, DDS – Retired
      • James W. McLeod, DDS – Retired
    • Our Staff
    • Tour Our Offices
  • Surgery Instructions
    • Surgery Instructions
    • Preoperative Instructions
    • Dental Implant Surgery Postoperative Instructions
    • Wisdom Tooth Removal Postoperative Instructions
    • Exposure of an Impacted Canine Tooth Postoperative Instructions
    • Dental Extraction Postoperative Instructions
    • Multiple Dental Extractions Postoperative Instructions
  • Patient Information
    • Patient Registration
    • Sitemap
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
  • Reviews
    • Patient Satisfaction Survey
  • Referrals
  • Appointments
  • Contact
    • Ventura
    • Thousand Oaks
    • Simi Valley
  • Procedures
  • Dental Implants
    • Guided Dental Implant Surgery
    • All-On-4 Dental Implants
    • Bar Attachment Denture
    • Bone Grafting
    • Socket Bone Graft
    • Sinus Lift
  • Wisdom Teeth
    • Wisdom Tooth Impaction
    • Wisdom Tooth Pain
    • Wisdom Tooth Infection (Pericoronitis)
  • Impacted Canine
    • Untreated Impacted Canine Tooth
  • Preprosthetic Surgery
    • Oral Pathology
  • Jaw Surgery
    • Upper and Lower Jaw Surgery
    • Jaw Bone Health
  • Blog
You are here: Home / Wisdom Tooth Extraction / Wisdom Tooth Infection (Pericoronitis)

Wisdom Tooth Infection (Pericoronitis)

Wisdom tooth infection (pericoronitis) is characterized by inflammation of the gum tissue due to bacteria accumulating around the partially erupted or impacted tooth. Wisdom teeth form under the gums within a follicular sac. When this developmental sac is punctured during the eruption process, bacteria normally present in the mouth can be harbored in this newly-opened space. Often times the best treatment for pericoronitis is wisdom tooth extraction.

Wisdom tooth infection (pericoronitis) due to bacteria

Results of Wisdom Tooth Infection From Bacteria

  • Incomplete eruption: Wisdom tooth eruption often causes a flap of tissue (called operculum) to form where the tooth is pushing through. Food debris can collect between the operculum and the wisdom tooth, allowing bacteria to grow.
  • Poor oral hygiene: Wisdom teeth can be difficult to reach for brushing and flossing which can lead to decay and subsequent infection.
  • Impacted wisdom tooth: If the wisdom tooth is unable to completely erupt (impacted wisdom tooth), the gum flap can remain in place and, unless removed, continue to trap debris, harbor bacteria and cause wisdom tooth pain.

Wisdom tooth infection can be classified as transient (acute) or persistent (chronic). Transient pericoronitis typically occurs during the natural wisdom tooth eruption process and does not recur once the tooth fully emerges through the gum line. Symptoms of wisdom tooth pain can be treated by conservative measures. Persistent pericoronitis usually occurs in cases in which the wisdom tooth is partially erupted but cannot fully emerge due to impaction.Wisdom tooth infection can occur repeatedly in these cases because the environment is prime for bacteria and does not change since the eruption cannot progress.

Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Infection

  • Red, tender, or swollen gums
  • Swelling in the cheek, face, or neck
  • Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
  • Moderate to severe tooth pain, which can spread to the throat or ear
  • Unpleasant odor and/or bad taste in the mouth
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Fever
  • Pus in infected area (in severe cases)

Treating Wisdom Tooth Infection

Wisdom tooth infection (pericoronitis) is characterized by inflammation of the gum tissueWisdom tooth infection will need to be professionally treated by your dentist. Initially, your dentist will likely focus on resolving your symptoms.

Treatment for wisdom tooth infection may include:

  • Removal of debris (scraping and flushing) from under the gum flap to reduce bacteria
  • Removal of dead gum tissue which may be trapping bacteria
  • Oral antibiotics course
  • Prescription mouth wash to keep bacterial load down
  • Additional home irrigation of the area around the affected tooth

Your dentist may want to reevaluate the tooth once the wisdom tooth infection has subsided. Wisdom tooth infection (pericoronitis) is the most common reason for wisdom tooth removal according to research by the the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Learn more about wisdom teeth management by downloading their brochure.

While extraction may ultimately be the recommended course of treatment for your pericoronitis, the infection will need to be resolved before further treatment can proceed. Wisdom tooth infection, especially if chronic, should be carefully monitored. Severe pericoronitis can result in extensive bone loss and even be life-threatening, requiring hospitalization and possible surgery.

Procedures Online Appointment Request Wisdom Tooth Infection Pericoronitis

If you are experiencing wisdom tooth pain and/or other signs of wisdom tooth infection, please contact a doctor at Pacific Oral Surgery for an evaluation by submitting an online appointment request or call one of our Pacific Oral Surgery offices located in Ventura, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley.

Our team of oral, maxillofacial and dental implant surgeons, Dr. James Jacobs, Dr. John Webb, and Dr. Sebastian Carlson, welcomes you to our Pacific Oral Surgery practice.

Welcome To Pacific Oral Surgery

Find Oral Surgeons in Ventura, Thousand Oaks & Simi Valley

Our Team at Pacific Oral SurgeryWelcome To Pacific Oral Surgery

Our team of board certified oral surgeons at Pacific Oral Surgery would like to welcome you to our offices in Ventura, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. Our qualified professionals are dedicated to providing top of the line services through personable, warm, and consistent patient care...Our Mission

Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Guided dental implant surgery is an innovative dental procedure utilizing new digital technology which provides a precise and efficient method to … Advanced Dental Implant Surgery

James O. Jacobs, DDS, MS Pacific Oral Surgery

James O. Jacobs, DDS, MS

James O. Jacobs, DDS, MS - Oral and Dental Implant Surgeon Diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Fellow of the American … Dr. James Jacobs

Pacific Oral Surgery Blog

Welcome to our Blog at Pacific Oral Surgery. Here we report about the latest advances in Dental Implant and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dental Implants

Wisdom Teeth

Blog post Pacific Oral Surgery

Welcome To Our New Website!

Pacific Oral Surgery would like to welcome you to our new website PacificOralSurgeon.com that … [Oral Surgery Blog...]

Archives

Ventura Office

Located on Telephone Road

Thousand Oaks Office

Located in the Los Robles Prof Park

Simi Valley Office

Located on First Street

Pacific Oral Surgery

Pacific Oral Surgery Patient Registration Form

Referring Doctors – Online Referral Form Pacific Oral Surgery

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on TwitterFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on YelpFollow Us on Patient Satisfaction Survey

Copyright © 2023 · Dr. James O. Jacobs, DDS, MS, Inc · Log in