Wisdom tooth removal in Rochelle Park, NJ, isn’t always a dental emergency. But there are those cases where the tooth may need to be immediately removed, either because it’s causing extreme discomfort or because its presence may affect your overall oral health.
Check out this short blog post to learn when wisdom tooth removal is a dental emergency!
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Cause So Many Problems?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to erupt. Sometimes, people don’t have any issues with their wisdom teeth and can keep them for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, most people aren’t that lucky.
Wisdom teeth erupt no matter if they have enough room on the arch to grow. They can push the rest of the natural teeth closer together, causing new alignment issues, just so the wisdom teeth have room to grow. Other times, the wisdom tooth can grow at an improper angle and become trapped. This can lead to lots of discomfort, and the dentist will recommend an extraction.
Because of their position at the back of your mouth, wisdom teeth are also extremely difficult to properly clean. This increases their risk for cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
When Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction an Emergency?
Here are three signs you may need an emergency wisdom tooth extraction:
1. High levels of pain
Because they are difficult to clean, wisdom teeth are more likely to develop cavities and become infected. As a result, you may start to notice some pain in this area.
When pain becomes severe, it’s usually a sign you need an emergency dental appointment. You may experience throbbing and constant pain that prevents you from even sleeping. Other patients can feel a sharp pain when they eat or when the wisdom tooth is exposed to something very hot or very cold.
2. Tooth abscess
A tooth abscess is a bacteria-filled pocket that occurs because the wisdom tooth is infected. It can look like a pimple on your gums but may also cause the following symptoms:
- Pain and swelling
- Tooth discoloration
- Red and swollen gums
- Sensitivity to heat and cold
- Loose teeth, etc.
Wisdom tooth or not, an infection is always a dental emergency. Left unchecked, it can even spread to surrounding teeth and tissues, such as the gums or even the jaw bone.
3. Locked jaw
Sometimes, the wisdom tooth puts pressure on your joints and leads to a locked jaw. This usually resolves on its own, but if you’re feeling lots of pain when you open your mouth or try to eat, you may need an emergency wisdom tooth extraction.
Call Us Today
Dr. Viccaro and Dr. Lo can see you for both same-day and after-hours appointments. Call us at (201) 843-7474 if you’re experiencing a dental emergency to get immediate help.
Or request a regular appointment at Rochelle Dental online.
