Gum on top of wisdom tooth hurts
Painful gum over a wisdom tooth is often inflamed tissue around a partly erupted tooth, called pericoronitis, but decay, an abscess, or trauma can...
The short answer
Painful gum over a wisdom tooth is often inflamed tissue around a partly erupted tooth, called pericoronitis, but decay, an abscess, or trauma can cause similar pain.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
A partly erupted third molar can leave a gum flap called an operculum over part of the crown. Food and bacteria can collect beneath it, causing tenderness, swelling, bad taste, or difficulty opening the mouth.
The pain may instead come from decay in the wisdom tooth or the neighbouring second molar, a gum injury, or infection around the tooth root.
What can you do next?
Gently clean around the area with a small soft brush and rinse with warm salt water if it does not worsen the pain. Choose soft foods and avoid poking, cutting, or placing aspirin directly on the gum.
The dentist may irrigate beneath the gum flap, remove trapped debris, treat decay, and discuss extraction or another plan based on the tooth’s position and repeat episodes.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange prompt care for swelling, pus, fever, worsening pain, limited opening, or difficulty swallowing. Facial swelling or difficulty breathing is an emergency.
Assessment includes examination of the flap and neighbouring teeth, probing when appropriate, and an X-ray to see angulation, roots, bone, and proximity to nearby structures.
What should you ask the dentist?
Is the gum flap infected or is the tooth itself damaged? Can cleaning or gum-flap treatment help, or is extraction indicated? What does the X-ray show about the roots and nearby nerve?
Frequently asked questions
Is the gum flap infected or is the tooth itself damaged? Can cleaning or gum-flap treatment help, or is extraction indicated? What does the X-ray show about the roots and nearby nerve?
Arrange prompt care for swelling, pus, fever, worsening pain, limited opening, or difficulty swallowing.