If you’ve ever had a throbbing toothache or a swollen mouth, you know how disruptive dental pain can be. At West Pennant Hills Dental, we’re here to help with everything from routine dental cleaning to urgent wisdom teeth removal and surgical tooth extraction.
When Is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Wisdom teeth often become problematic when they don’t have room to grow properly. This can lead to pain, infection, and even an abscess around the tooth—a dangerous pocket of infection. Sometimes a simple extraction is all you need, but if a tooth is impacted or stuck beneath the gum, a surgical tooth extraction may be required.
Recognising a Dental Emergency
Certain symptoms mean you should contact your dentist right away:
- Severe, persistent toothache
- Swollen mouth or jaw
- Signs of infection such as fever, pus, or foul taste
- Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing
These could indicate an infected tooth or tooth abscess that needs urgent attention. Acting quickly can save you pain—and potentially save you the need for a hospital stay.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
Regular dental cleaning and check-ups allow us to monitor your oral health, spot issues early, and avoid painful emergencies. X-rays can show developing wisdom teeth, giving us the chance to plan for wisdom teeth removal before problems start.
Our Approach to Wisdom Teeth Removal
At West Pennant Hills Dental, we make extractions as stress-free as possible. We’ll discuss your options, ensure you’re comfortable throughout the procedure, and provide comprehensive aftercare advice so you can recover quickly and confidently.
Our friendly staff will follow up with you with a telephone call 24-48 hours after your procedure, and we provide a complimentary review appointment 1-2 weeks after to ensure your healing is progressing well.
If you prefer to be asleep for the procedure, we can also offer extractions in our clinic under intravenous sedation, also known as twilight sedation or sleep dentistry. The sedation is provided by medical specialist anaesthetist. This can be a more affordable option than having wisdom teeth removed under general anaesthetic in hospital.
Need Help Now?
If you’re experiencing dental pain or think you may have an infected tooth, don’t wait. Contact WPH Dental for your wisdom teeth enquiries or book an assessment online today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Wisdom Teeth & Dental Emergencies
1. How do I know if I need my wisdom teeth removed?
If you’re experiencing pain at the back of your mouth, gum swelling, or difficulty cleaning around your wisdom teeth, they may need removal. X-rays during a dental check-up can confirm if extraction is required.
2. What’s the difference between a simple and a surgical tooth extraction?
A simple extraction removes a tooth that’s visible above the gum. A surgical tooth extraction is needed when the tooth is impacted, broken, or trapped under the gum or bone.
3. Is a swollen mouth always a dental emergency?
A swollen mouth can indicate an infection or abscessed tooth, which requires urgent dental care. Left untreated, infections can spread and cause serious health issues. A swelling can spread to the neck and even the chest, and can affect breathing and swallowing. It can become a medical emergency which requires a hospital stay.
4. Can an infected tooth heal on its own?
No. An infected tooth won’t heal without professional treatment. Your dentist will remove the infection, often through root canal therapy or extraction, to prevent further complications. If an impacted wisdom tooth is not treated, over time it can cause damage to the adjacent tooth, gum problems, and problems with alignment of the bite.
5. How can I avoid dental emergencies in the future?
Routine check-ups and dental cleaning are the best prevention. Your dentist can detect potential problems—like impacted wisdom teeth—before they become painful emergencies.
6. What do I bring to my appointment?
Bring any previous x-rays you have which show the wisdom teeth, such as an OPG (a ‘full mouth x-ray’), or a cone beam CT scan (a 3D scan).
Book online today, or call us to schedule your check-up, discuss wisdom teeth removal, or get immediate help with a dental emergency.