The Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars that are unable to erupt due to neighboring teeth or the jawbone. An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to serious complications such as an infection or a cyst which will require you to seek emergency Boise dental services. Learning to recognize the warning signs of an impacted wisdom tooth can help you avoid the need for an emergency Boise dental visit.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Symptoms
Pain, bleeding or tenderness of the gums is often the first warning sign of an impacted wisdom tooth. Gums can also appear red and feel swollen. You may even experience swelling around the jaw, headaches, or difficulty chewing due to pain.

Besides pain in the rear molar region, other symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth include bad breath, or a bad taste in the mouth. These symptoms can indicate an infection which means you need urgent treatment.

What You Should Do If You Notice Any Warning Signs
It’s important to never ignore the signs of an impacted wisdom tooth. Book a Boise dentist appointment as soon as you notice any of the symptoms listed above or if the pain is severe.

Treatment For Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The most effective treatment for an impacted wisdom tooth is usually extraction. If a wisdom tooth is trapped beneath bone or difficult to access, an extraction may need to be done by an oral surgeon. The Boise dentists at Summit Dental group can assess impacted wisdom teeth and refer patients to oral surgeons if necessary.

When an extraction is needed, your Boise dentist will first make a small incision in the gum above the painful tooth. Sometimes, it’s necessary to remove a small amount of bone or cut the tooth into pieces in order to extract it. To prevent you from feeling any pain or discomfort, you will be given an anesthetic during the extraction.

Why Early Treatment is Important
Left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to rot in the gum, gum disease, development of cysts, or decay of the adjoining teeth. That’s why it’s important to visit your Boise dentist right away if you recognize any of the early warning signs of an impacted wisdom tooth. Your Boise dentist will examine your wisdom teeth during each dental checkup which can result in early detection of impaction. The risks associated with an impacted wisdom tooth are just one reason why regular Boise dentist visits are so important for maintaining a healthy smile.