Tooth moving into gum and causing major amounts of pain. Is this normal? (Photo)

Question

Yesterday I had an orthodontist appointment and he adjusted my braces like normal. However, I have a tooth that hasn't come up yet so he's adjusted my braces to move my teeth away from the gap so the tooth can come up. The teeth on my right hand side are moving to the right and causing me MAJOR discomfort considering my furthest tooth on the right is moving into a lump of gum and causing me lots of pain. I'm wondering if this is normal because the tooth doesn't have a bracket on it.

Brenton Glassell, DDS · Answer

It is common for the gums around erupting teeth to be irritated for an amount of time while the teeth are coming in. The best remedy for this issue is either warm salt water rinses in the affected area 3-4 times/day or swishing the area with Peroxyl rinse 3-4 times/day. If the area does not improve in 2 weeks, contact your orthodontist for an appointment. Sometimes, there can be an infection in the area due to unwanted chewing forces on the gums in that area (called pericoronitis). Antibiotics and alternative therapies will be needed to reduce the swelling and discomfort. Good luck!

Patrick M. Ohlenforst, DDS, MS · Answer

It actually looks like you have a mild operculitis developing (an irritation and possible infection of the gum tissue covering the back of the tooth).  When a lower second or third molar erupts, the front of the tooth becomes visible first. Then, as the tooth continues to grow in, you see more and more of it. The gum tissue that covers the back part of the erupting tooth is called the "operculum". There is a good chance that part of the current problem comes from the upper back molar biting down on the operculum. Most likely, it is NOT related to whatever your orthodontist did recently. Go back in to your orthodontist and tell him that it's been hurting and seems to be getting worse (when you call the office, tell them that you think something is wrong and that you are hurting in a different way from when your braces hurt your teeth). Chances are, he will probably send you back to your dentist. This looks to be a fairly mild situation that will most likely get better as the tooth erupts. If it continues to hurt and it becomes harder to brush back there, it can get infected and become worse.  Call them tomorrow!Good luck!!

Tooth moving into gum and causing major amounts of pain. Is this normal? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Braces

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Tooth moving into gum and causing major amounts of pain. Is this normal? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Braces

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.