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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Swelling On The Gum Behind The Molar. What Could Be Causing This?

Hello, well on this fine Christmas day, I am wondering what could be causing my gum to swell bright red behind my right lower molar? The tooth does not hurt, but the gum back there does and I ve flossed a number of times and came out with nothing. I do still have my wisdom teeth but as far as I m concerned, it is unlikely they are causing the problem since they are small.
posted on Fri, 28 Dec 2012
Twitter Thu, 3 Jan 2013 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 4 Jan 2013 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi
this is known as pericoronitis, as your wisdom teeth are small they may be partially erupted and got infected, start doing warm saline rinses and betadine rinses.
if pain persists you can take painkiller ibuprofen 400 mg alongwith one antibiotic course including amoxycilline 500 mg TDS.
Visit your dentist and go for a check X- ray.
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Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,  Dr. Chaithanyaa Nemaly's  Response
hello there...please be specific...last molar in the sense is it beyond the wisdom tooth or 2nd molar tooth? if you have a partially erupted wisdom tooth the gum over it swells owing to the continuous friction caused by upper tooth while occluding...that results in redness of you gum...
If you already have a wisdom tooth and your concern is behind that, it is also attributed to the wisdom tooth...either of the cases get your wisdom tooth removed...clinical evaluation is required for final diagnosis...get yourself examined from your dental surgeon...
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Swelling On The Gum Behind The Molar. What Could Be Causing This?

Hi this is known as pericoronitis, as your wisdom teeth are small they may be partially erupted and got infected, start doing warm saline rinses and betadine rinses. if pain persists you can take painkiller ibuprofen 400 mg alongwith one antibiotic course including amoxycilline 500 mg TDS. Visit your dentist and go for a check X- ray.