Painful lump on gum behind back tooth?

Question

My mom is a nurse and said that everybody has a 'flap' of gum right behind their molar (where the wisdom teeth will come in.) Is there any specific word for this? Sometimes it gets swollen (It's not wisdom teeth!) because I often forget to brush my teeth. What can I do to help the swelling go down? Gargle salt water? (By the way, there is nothing under the 'flap'. It's just a ball of gum behind my back tooth.)

Answer 1

The "flap" is an operculum. If plaque (bacteria is in plaque) and food gets caught under it and becomes inflammed and swollen it becomes a pericoronitis. When teeth are erupting and coming up through the gums this "flap" occurs. When the tooth fully erupts it will no longer be over the top of the tooth, trapping irritants and being abraded when you chew. Sometimes with third molars (wisdom teeth), there is not enough room for full eruption into the occlusal plane and the "flap" remains. In these cases a visit with an oral surgeon would be in order for a consulation. Perhaps they will remove the wisdom teeth so that the infection stops and the possiblility of decay goes away (it gets rid of the food trap). Ask your dentist the next time you are in to check it out (I work in a dental office). They will recommend action if they think it is in order for you! Keep it clean!  

Answer 2

i think you need it removed