You’re brushing your teeth one evening when you notice something unusual at the back of your mouth, a small bump of gum that wasn’t there before. You start to wonder if this is something normal, or just one of those odd things that happen out of nowhere. As you poke at it, look at it closer, or just try to figure it out in the mirror, your curiosity grows. What exactly is going on back there, and is it something to worry about? Let’s discuss the reasons why your gum is growing over your back tooth and what to do about it.
Reasons Your Gum Might Cover a Back Tooth
A flap of gum covering a back tooth, usually a wisdom tooth, is often caused by a condition called pericoronitis. This happens when a wisdom tooth only partly comes through the gums or grows at an angle, leaving some of it still covered by gum tissue. Here are the main reasons this can happen:
- Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth: This is the most common cause. When the tooth doesn’t fully break through the gum, a flap of gum called an operculum can form over it.
- Trapped Food and Bacteria: The space under the operculum flap is hard to clean, so food particles, plaque, and bacteria can build up easily.
- Inflammation and Infection (Pericoronitis): When food and bacteria get stuck under the flap, the gum can become irritated, swollen, and infected. This painful condition is called pericoronitis and is more common in lower wisdom teeth.
- Not Enough Room in the Jaw: If there isn’t enough space for the wisdom tooth to grow in properly, it may come in sideways and remain partly covered by gum tissue.
- Extra Gum Tissue: Some people naturally have more gum tissue, which can block a tooth from coming in fully.
- Other Risk Factors: Things like poor oral hygiene, being between the ages of 20 and 29, stress, tiredness, and pregnancy can make pericoronitis more likely.
Symptoms That Need Attention
Some symptoms that come with gum covering a back tooth need quick dental care and may be signs of a serious problem. Signs you should see a dentist right away include:
- Fever, chills, or feeling sick all over
- Swollen glands in your neck or under your jaw
- Trouble opening your mouth or stiffness in your jaw
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth caused by bacteria
- Feeling very tired or not wanting to eat because of the infection
- Swelling that quickly gets worse in your face, jaw, or around the tooth
- Pus or discharge near the gum flap, showing there’s an active infection
- Strong, constant pain that doesn’t get better with regular pain medicine
- Trouble breathing or swallowing, which could mean the infection is spreading
Milder symptoms like sore, red gums, slight swelling, or mild pain might be handled for a short time with pain relievers. However, you should still see a dentist soon to stop it from getting worse.
Treatments for Gum Growth Over the Back Tooth
When gum tissue grows over a back tooth, dentists offer the following treatment options:
Professional Cleaning
The dentist carefully cleans around the tooth to remove trapped food and bacteria. This helps reduce swelling and lowers the chance of infection. They might also rinse under the gum flap with a special solution to flush out harmful bacteria.
Antibiotics
If there’s an infection or swelling, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics like amoxicillin or erythromycin. These help stop the bacteria from spreading and treat the infection.
Operculectomy (Removing the Gum Flap)
If the gum flap keeps getting infected even after good care, the dentist might suggest a small surgery called an operculectomy. In this procedure, the extra gum tissue covering the tooth is removed, making it easier to keep the area clean and healthy.
Tooth Extraction
If the problem keeps coming back or if the wisdom tooth won’t fully grow in, removing the tooth is often the best choice. This removes the source of the infection and can prevent future issues.
Pain Relief
Painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen help reduce pain and swelling. In more severe cases, stronger prescription medication might be needed for a short time.
Ending Note
Catching gum growth over your back tooth early can help you avoid pain and bigger problems later. Seeing a dentist on time and keeping up with good oral hygiene can protect your smile and keep your mouth healthy.
If you have symptoms of gum overgrowth or pericoronitis, visit our board-certified periodontist, Dr. Bader Abdeen, at Cypress Periodontics and Dental Implants. Call us at (281) 677-0222 to book an appointment.