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Dentistry/Swollen Gum behind the Wisdom Tooth

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Expert: - 5/28/2005


Question
I am 23, and I have a wisdom tooth and i think i have had it for years, my question is, you know that extra gum that is right behind it, well i was wondering is it possible for the gum to become swollen 12 hours after eating some Chunky Peanut butter(you know the kinda peanut butter with peanuts in it rather than no peanuts).

Around 12 hours ago, i had some Chunky Peanut Butter and over night i felt that my gum was sore feeling. What i do know is, i can't press my teeth together without bumping into my swollen gum. It doesn't hurt bad, but it does feel sore when i close my teeth down. When my teeth aren't closed together, i can feel a little soreness, but its not painful. It doesn't really feel like in infection even though it is swollen.

I hope you can answer my question, or if you have any question, i will see if i can answer your question so you can answer mine.  

Answer
Sounds like you may have trapped a bit of food under the gum behind the tooth.  That would create an infection causing the gum to swell.  Usually that continues to get worse and the infection can spread to the jaw and face and neck.  Sometimes the offending food will dislodge and the swelling and discomfort will disappear.  I would recommend that you have this looked at by a dentist ASAP which might just be a bit of a problem for you with the long holiday weekend in full gear.  Meantime, it would be a good idea to rinse with warm salt water 5 times daily and hope that (1) you can find a dentist or (2) that the problem goes away.  #1 takes persistence; #2 takes a miracle.  Good luck.

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Dr. Randolph Myerson

Expertise

Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. I am both an Orthodontist and a Pediatric Dentist, having been trained in both of these dental specialty fields. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats problems of tooth, bite and jaw alignment using braces and removable appliances. Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty also known as dentistry for children, which deals specifically with the dental problems of this special age group from infants to adolescents. I am also experienced in Forensic Dentistry, the application of dentistry to law enforcement and identification using dental records.

Experience

I have been in the private practice of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Prior to that I served for three years on the Cleft Palate and Cranio-facial Reconstruction team at Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia and was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. I also served as a dentist in the U.S.Air Force, stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.

Organizations
I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the Dental Society of the State of New York.

Education/Credentials
I received my BA in Biology from Frankin & Marshall College in 1969, and my dental degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973. In 1978 I received both my Certificate in Orthodontics from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia after completing a three year Teaching Fellowship in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in 1978.

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