What does this mean?
A wisdom tooth keeps erupting when there is no room left in the jaw and presses against its neighbour. What you feel is less pain than pressure, fullness and an occasional throb.
The flap of gum over a partly erupted tooth creates a pocket that cannot be cleaned. Bacteria settling there cause an inflammation called pericoronitis; the swelling, bad taste and difficulty opening the mouth come from that.
The usual cause of this sensation is an impacted or partly erupted wisdom tooth.
Likely causes
What helps at home?
- Rinse the area with warm salt water; clearing debris eases the inflammation somewhat
- Try to clean the area with a small-headed brush, but do not force it
- Food trapped under the flap makes it worse quickly; chew less on that side
- Clear difficulty opening the mouth
- Swelling spreading to the cheek, or fever
- Pain on swallowing
- Discharge from the area or a persistent bad taste
Frequently asked questions
- Does every wisdom tooth need removing?
- No. A tooth that has erupted properly, can be cleaned and is not pressing on its neighbour is monitored. The decision follows an X-ray and an examination.
- Does the pressure pass?
- It can settle for periods, but it recurs while the cause remains. Repeated inflammation should be assessed.
This content is for general information and does not replace an in-person examination. Symptoms overlap between conditions, and a diagnosis can only be made clinically.