Impacted teeth are those that get blocked from emerging through the gums and wisdom teeth are commonly affected. Most patients’ wisdom teeth begin to emerge between the ages of 17 and 21, and they often become impacted because there’s just not enough room in the mouth. Impacted teeth are often painless, but impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain as the surrounding gum tissue becomes infected.
Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Symptoms may include:
1. Gum swelling in the back of the mouth
2. Difficulty opening the jaw
3. A bad taste or bad breath
4. Pain when biting or chewing
Pain may be intermittent, or it may be steady. A dentist will examine the area, taking x-rays if necessary to determine whether the tooth is impacted. There’s no way to prevent teeth from being impacted, but patients can prevent cavities with good oral hygiene.
Treatment for Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Patients can relieve irritation by rinsing with salt water or taking OTC pain medications. If pain persists or an infection spreads to nearby teeth, a dentist will extract the affected tooth. Extractions can take up to 30 minutes, and subsequent treatment with antibiotics may be required.
Patients are frequently referred to Dental Orthodontic in Toms River NJ surgeons to have impacted teeth removed. Before extraction, the dentist will discuss the process and the type of sedative to be used. Patients cannot eat for at least six hours before the surgery, and someone will have to drive the patient home.
After Extraction
After a tooth is extracted, patients may experience swelling in the jaw or cheek area. Some may have difficulty eating certain foods, and patients should follow the dentist’s instructions precisely. Many patients have all four wisdom teeth pulled at once, to prevent future Dental Orthodontic in Toms River NJ problems.
If a patient feels pain in the back teeth, they should call a dentist right away. A dentist from Atlantic Dental can monitor the wisdom teeth and tell the patient whether they need to be extracted, and he or she can help the patient form an effective treatment plan. After an extraction, patients should be careful to keep the area clean, to prevent further infection and pain.
