My partially erupted wisdom tooth has swollen gum covering one side of the tooth. is it time for it to get taken out?

Wisdom teeth: Wisdom teeth that are not able to emerge normally become impacted or trapped within the jaw. If they emerge partially through the the gums a passageway is created and can become infected. Some dentists recommend removing them if they don't fully emerge or if they grow near the nerve of the lower jaw. Some believe that it is better to remove them early. See your dentist for exam and his opinion

Need x-ray: Have your dentist take an x-ray of the four third molars to make sure that they are coming in correctly. If an impaction is evident, you will be referred to an oral surgeon. If the dentist feels that the teeth are coming in normally, a operculectomy may be advised in addition to salt water rinses and an antibiotic if needed.

Operculum: That small bit of tissue gets inflamed and traumatized when you eat and when bacteria/food gets trapped. Have an oral surgeon evaluate you to see if it is indeed time.

Pericoronitis: Pericoronitis is inflammation and irritation of the tissues overlying the crown of a tooth, one of the more common reasons why patients are referred to an oral surgeon for evaluation of their wisdom teeth. If the problem is a recurring problem, it may be time to have the wisdom teeth removed. A clinical and radiographic examination where all of the wisdom tooth can be seen would be recommended.

Wisdom teeth: Sometimes wisdom teeth are valuable asset when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal. The removal of wisdom teeth is one of the most common procedures at age 15-25. See your dentist or an oral surgeon for evaluation and x-rays.