Wisdom Tooth Removal: What Could Actually Go Wrong
Like any surgical procedure, you should foresee complications and risks involved in it. From the simplest minor operations on your skin to the most complicated and delicate eye surgeries , no procedure cannot promise perfection and freedom from complications. This includes prolonged bleeding, persistent swelling, fever, anesthesia effects like numbness of the lips, tongue, or chin, jaw pain, dry socket, as well as infection. These do not always occur, but they do, we need to address them as soon as possible. So, let us discuss the two most alarming complications: dry socket and bone infection.
Is Wisdom Tooth Infection An Emergency
Emergency dental care becomes essential if you have a wisdom tooth infection and a severely impacted wisdom tooth. When an impacted wisdom tooth becomes infected, it causes pain in the posterior region of the mouth affecting the tooth or spreading throughout the mouth if left untreated. The infection can result in tooth loss and expensive repair work. Therefore if you are suffering from wisdom tooth pain, you must contact the Oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Toronto East maxillofacial surgery for advice.
Between the ages of 17 and 25, wisdom teeth begin appearing in the posterior regions of your mouth. Your upper and lower jaw both have one final molar appearing later than the rest. Fortunately, some people dont develop any wisdom teeth, while the unfortunate may have all four. If you have an impacted and infected wisdom tooth at the back of your mouth, you require emergency dental care to eliminate the infection and the wisdom tooth causing it.
When A Tooth Infection Is A Dental Emergency
A dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate dental care, such as a tooth infection. Every form of tooth infection needs to be checked and treated because of the associated risks. Oral infections are usually caused by bacteria and can spread easily through the oral cavity without intervention.
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How Long Can A Tooth Infection Go Untreated
If you wait too long to treat a tooth infection, it can begin spreading to other areas of your body, including the neck, head, or jaw. A general dentist must professionally drain an abscessed tooth by extracting it or performing a root canal.
Usually, this includes draining pus and bacteria, which is why some people are actually unaware they have an infection. It is unpredictable to determine how long a dental abscess will drain until it stops and causes facial cellulitis .
You should never pop or squeeze an abscess because the infection can be pushed deeper into the tissues of your mouth.
Risks of not treating a tooth infection promptly:
- Tooth loss
- Infection of the blood vessels inside the sinuses
- Bone infection surrounding the tooth
- Brain abscess
- Parapharyngeal abscess
Summary
If you don’t receive prompt treatment for an abscess, it can lead to tooth loss, additional infections, sepsis, and even a brain abscess . Never pop an abscess.
Reasons You Shouldnt Expect An Emergency Dentist To Extract Your Wisdom Teeth
Do you have a dental emergency related to your wisdom teeth? An emergency dentist can relieve your pain, examine the teeth, and make treatment recommendations. But extracting wisdom teeth can be different from extracting a single tooth that is too damaged to preserve. Wisdom teeth are easier to extract when youre younger. There are several reasons that an emergency dentist might refer you to an oral surgeon to have your wisdom teeth removed.
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A Wisdom Tooth Extraction Is An Emergency If Your Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted
If your wisdom teeth are growing into your mouth properly and are not causing you pain and discomfort, then wisdom teeth extraction does not count as a dental emergency. It may be a good idea to have your wisdom teeth removed to ensure your other teeth dont move, but there is usually no need to get emergency treatment right away.
However, this is not the case if your wisdom teeth are impacted. This means that they have failed to erupt fully. Wisdom teeth may stop erupting or grow sideways and be unable to erupt further, which causes impaction.
This, in turn, can cause symptoms like pain and discomfort, and a higher risk of a gum or tooth infection. If you have one or more impacted wisdom teeth, you need to get emergency tooth extractions from Dr. Brabston right away.
Infection After Wisdom Teeth Removal: What To Do
tooth extraction infection, wisdom tooth extraction
Most dental operations are routine treatments, and infection control techniques are as good as theyve ever been, thanks to daily improvements in medical services. Infections do happen, and it is your responsibility as a patient to know what else to monitor so you could get follow-up treatment if necessary. Dental experts at MLDs clinic located in Burwood would advise you that the best approach to guarantee that your recovery goes off without a hitch is to heed your oral surgeons recommendations and be aware of the indications of infection. But what if your dental surgery really goes south, like the presence of infection after wisdom teeth removal?
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Dental Pain: Can It Wait Or Is It An Emergency
Anyone who has ever suffered through tooth pain knows the warning signs a bit of sharp pinch when biting down, a dull ache after drinking a cold liquid, a throb after chewing gum. But in the midst of COVID-19, when does dental pain mean you should call for an appointment or head to the emergency room?
To help navigate through the decision, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry has set up a dental information hotline at 713-486-4000.
Unexpected dental problems can and do occur but, for some patients, they have nowhere to turn for help, said John Valenza, DDS, dean of UTHealth School of Dentistry. During this difficult time, in addition to serving any urgent needs for patients of record, we wanted to be a resource for the community who need information or guidance.
The American Dental Association has provided examples of elective versus urgent and emergent treatment. Dentists are advised to defer non-urgent care, but continue to see patients for acute dental issues to keep them out of emergency rooms when possible.
Life-threatening emergencies, such as maxillofacial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth, or facial swelling that crosses the midline or impacts breathing or speaking, need to be treated as emergencies and require attention by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in a hospital setting.
What is urgent?
The following are examples of urgent dental conditions requiring prompt treatment, but usually not a trip to the ER:
Your Ear Ache May Be A Sign Of A Dental Issue
An earache can be quite painful at times, and the immediate assumption is that the pain is the result of some problem within the ears. Interestingly, that ear pain you are experiencing may not be related to a condition within your ears at all. A number of dental health problems can cause ear aches as a common symptom.
Some of the most common kinds of dental problems may result in earaches.
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What Is A Dental Emergency
According to American Family Physician1, about 22 percent of people reported having experienced oral pain in the previous six months, showing just how common dental emergencies can be.
Still, not every dental situation should be considered an emergency. To help you determine if you can wait until your next dental appointment or if you need to take a trip to an emergency dentist, ask yourself the following questions:
In general, any dental problem that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a tooth is considered an emergency. This also applies to severe infections that can be life-threatening.
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Signs You May Need An Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal
Below are 3 common signs of needing emergency wisdom tooth removal.
Inflammation around the gums
The flap of gum tissue left by a partially erupted wisdom tooth can result in trapped food particles and bacteria. This can irritate your gums, leaving them red, tender and inflamed. As the area is sore to touch, it becomes difficult to keep clean and irritation can often end in infection. As dentists, we encourage you to seek early evaluation to prevent this from happening.
Pain and/or sensitivity towards the back of your mouth
You shouldnt ignore any tooth-related pain you experience with your teeth. If you experience sensitivity and pain in the back of your mouth while brushing your teeth, eating or even while doing nothing at all, this could be a sign that your wisdom teeth need urgent attention. What begins as mild discomfort can progress to severe pain in little time. So, if you feel tenderness, pain or any kind of throbbing sensation, schedule a dental visit for an assessment right away.
Pain and/or stiffness in and around your jaw
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Can Poor Oral Health Affect The Ears
Pain in the ear can indicate a problematic tooth. Dental problems that cause earaches include an abscessed tooth, cavity and an impacted molar or wisdom tooth.
Any issue with the jaw, especially in the temporomandibular joint, such as arthritis, can cause tightness and pain in your ears.
You can also experience earaches and tinnitus because of teeth grinding. Studies on the relationship between oral hygiene and the middle ear show that poor oral health rarely affects the ears.
Complications That Can Result From Wisdom Teeth
There are several complications that can result from impacted wisdom teeth. The possible complications are a good reason to have a consultation with an oral surgeon. You might need to be referred to an oral surgeon by a general dentist.
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Problem Wisdom Teeth Are Best Removed Early
The longer you wait or delay, the more problems that can happen and damage that might result to the nearby teeth. Your oral health professional can help identify any problems early. Wisdom teeth can be removed by a dentist, but may also need to be referred to an oral maxillofacial surgeon who has done additional training and study in surgery or the teeth, bones, jaws and face.
The roots of wisdom teeth are still forming when you are a teenager, so it is easier to take them out at this age. It may be more complicated if you wait until later in life, when the roots are fully formed. Wisdom teeth can also be easier to remove when your bone is younger heals and recovers faster.
Q: What Types Of Antibiotics Are Prescribed For Tooth Infections
A: Your dentist will try to prescribe the medication that the particular strain of bacteria causing your infection is most reactive to. There are a wide variety of antibiotics available, but some of the most common antibiotics prescribed for tooth infections are penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin. Many people are allergic to these medications. If you are, be sure to tell your dentist so they can suggest an alternate medication.
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Treating A Tooth Infection
Dental emergencies encompass issues that demand instant dental care, including a tooth infection or an abscess. When a bacterial infection sets in, a pocket of pus develops in the tooth, known as an abscess. The abscess may develop around the tooth roots or the gum tissues surrounding the infected tooth.
A tooth infection can cause debilitating pain and contribute to dental complications. There is a risk that the infection may spread to major organs like the brain, which can be fatal. The risk of infection increases once the pulp chamber of the tooth is compromised. The tooth pulp houses the blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Once the pulp chamber is exposed, perhaps due to decay or trauma, bacteria will invade the chamber, causing an infection.
Some of the signs of tooth infection that mean dental emergency care is required include severe pain, teeth sensitivity, gum inflammation, foul taste in the mouth, and pain when chewing. The dentist may recommend any of the following treatments:
Wisdom Teeth Emergencies: When Should You Seek Help
About 85% of people will need to have their wisdom teeth removed. What this means is that there are still people who keep their wisdom teeth and have no problems with them. If your wisdom teeth donât create any problems for you before the age of 30, chances are they wonât cause any problems. However, this isnât true for everyone. Sometimes wisdom teeth can still be problematic even if they were found to be healthy at one point. What constitutes a wisdom tooth emergency and when should you seek help?
An Infection from a Partially Erupted Wisdom Tooth
If your wisdom teeth havenât fully erupted, this means theyâre stuck halfway between your gums and your jaw. This is a dangerous position to be in, as this area is difficult to keep clean. Debris from food and plaque can accumulate and cause an infection. This condition is called perisoronitis.
Some of the symptoms of perisoronitis may include swelling around the area, problems moving your jaw, even a fever and bleeding from your mouth can be indicative of a problem. If you have a bad taste in your mouth, this could mean an infection is present. Fortunately, your dentist can remove the debris, properly clean the area, and talk with you about what your options are moving forward. You should never ignore perisoronitis or any infection as it could get worse and affect your entire body via the bloodstream.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Surgical Site Complications from Extracted Wisdom Teeth
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Get Professional Help At Boon Dental
At our Wentworth Point and Ropes Crossing Family dental practices, we know that the idea of wisdom tooth extraction can be daunting to some. Our gentle dentists have a lot of experience in dealing with these often problematic molars. Youre in safe hands with us. We have relieved many patients of their pain and improved their oral health by removing their wisdom teeth.
Have you spotted the signs of needing a wisdom tooth extraction? Schedule an assessment with us today!
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What Should I Expect During The Procedure
An emergency wisdom tooth extraction is much like a scheduled wisdom tooth extraction. Your emergency dentist will perform a physical examination and take X-rays to determine the best approach. If you are experiencing impacted wisdom tooth pain, surgery can help.
While speedy removal of your wisdom tooth is important, the first priority is your comfort. Your emergency dentist will offer a variety of options. These may include local anesthetic, IV sedation, nitrous oxide, and even minor sedation before your appointment. Fear can keep patients in emergency situations from visiting the dentist, so its important that patients have all the tools they need to be pain-free and calm.
Emergency wisdom tooth extractions also focus on speed. It is important to get those teeth out as soon as possible to prevent further complications . Once you are comfortable, your emergency dentist will use surgical tools to remove the tooth. If the impacted wisdom teeth have wrapped their roots around the bones of the jaw, this could mean making incisions in the gums. If this occurs, surgery will take longer.
For wisdom teeth that are not impacted but are causing pain or other problems, your emergency dentist uses a dental tool to ease the tooth out of your gums.
The extraction site is washed thoroughly, and stitches are applied as needed.
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When Should I Be Concerned About Wisdom Tooth Pain
Jaw pain, a sore throat, facial swelling, or unpleasant tastes and smells in your mouth are signs of an unhealthy wisdom tooth. Neglecting to treat an infected or impacted tooth can cause more than just wisdom tooth pain, it can open the door to other infections in your face, including a sinus infection or gum disease.
Question: What Will The Er Do For A Tooth Infection
The ER staff can get patients stabilized, control bleeding and give treatment for dental fractures.
In the case of bacterial infections, they can provide antibiotics and will arrange for transfer to hospital if necessary.
They can also treat broken, dislodged or fractured teeth and help to control severe pain.
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