<s>[INST] Hi im 19 next month and i havent had my wisdom teeth removed yet and id just like to ask you why my mouth is sore around the back of my gums on the left hand side only I ve noticed that my left cheek is swollen and my gums too and just behind my last molar my gum is really tender and there s a little gap between my molar and my gum and it s really sore and food and decay get caught in there after each meal I eat and my jaw feels sort of stiff as well and hurts when I chew......what could be the cause of this? Could it be that I need my wisdom teeth extracted? Please help I don t know what to do and I d be very greatful if you could give me an answer to my question and help me out [/INST] Hello and welcome to Chat Doctor forum, i would be glad to answer your query, according to the dental history provided by you, I would like you to know that the gap between your tooth and the gums is due to inflammation of the gum tissue that surrounds the tooth, this is either a case of localized periodontitis, where a pocket is formed where all the food gets impacted causing pain and swelling. Also, as you mentioned that your wisdom teeth have not yet erupted, I would like to inform you that wisdom teeth may or may not erupt, wisdom teeth are not always present. I advise you to follow a few instructions in order to relief pain and swelling;1. Kindly see a dentist,2. Full mouth scaling is required,3. Warm saline rinses(3-4 times/day),4. Use a Betadine mouthwash once/day.I hope I answered your query, i wish you good health, take care. </s>