Do Wisdom Tooth Extractions Count as a Dental Emergency?

If you are dealing with issues concerning your wisdom teeth, you may be wondering if you have a dental emergency on your hands.

So should you reach out to a Jackson emergency dentist right away and get treatment? Or can you wait for a regular appointment?

There are many reasons why a wisdom tooth may need to be extracted, and not all are considered dental emergencies. Find out all you need to know about emergency wisdom tooth extraction right here in this short blog post from Jackson Family Dentistry.

When Is a Wisdom Tooth Extraction an Emergency?

Simply noticing your wisdom teeth are growing is no cause for concern. If you don’t experience any pain or discomfort, then you can simply book a regular appointment to find out whether the wisdom tooth needs to be extracted or not.

In some cases, wisdom teeth may need to be extracted even if they are technically healthy. If the wisdom tooth causes your other teeth to move, for example, the dentist may recommend an extraction.

One reason why a wisdom tooth extraction may be an emergency is when the wisdom tooth is “impacted.” Wisdom teeth may be unable to erupt fully. They either stop midway or start to grow sideways.

An impacted wisdom tooth can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, and the only way to remove these symptoms is through extraction. Not only that, but impacted wisdom teeth increase your risk of infection, both in the gum tissue and the surrounding teeth.

Pain Is Always a Sign of a Dental Emergency

No matter if it comes from your wisdom teeth or another source, experiencing pain and discomfort will always be enough of a reason to reach out to Jackson Family Dentistry for an emergency appointment.

Impacted wisdom teeth usually present with the following symptoms:

• Red and swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Jaw pain
• Jaw swelling
• Difficulty opening the mouth, etc.

If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait for a regular appointment. Impacted wisdom teeth do not resolve on their own, and the only way to remove your discomfort is through extraction.

How Do Impacted Wisdom Teeth Extractions Work?

To remove an impacted wisdom tooth, the surgeon needs to make a small incision in the gum line in order to reveal the tooth. Since the tooth is not fully erupted, the dentist first needs to get access to the tooth, and then grip it to extract it.

All tooth extractions are done under anesthesia, so you will not feel any pain during the procedure, apart from a little pressure. You may experience a bit of discomfort in the following days, but the symptoms usually go away after 1-2 days.

If you suspect you may need a wisdom tooth extraction, Dr. Pako Major can help.

Book an appointment at Jackson Family Dentistry online.