When You Need Emergency Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth extractions are some of the most common dental emergencies in Lighthouse Point, FL, but it may not always be clear when it’s ‘bad enough’ to seek after-hours care. Here, we’ll look at when you shouldn’t wait any longer.

What to Know About Impacted or Infected Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth in Lighthouse Point, FL can either be impacted or partially impacted, meaning they don’t emerge from the gumline or they only somewhat emerge from the gumline. Depending on the orientation of the impaction, this doesn’t result in any pain.

However, even small shifts in your teeth patterns can quickly turn into a problem you can’t ignore. In the case of a tooth infection, this refers to the gum tissue around your teeth becoming infected.

Signs You Need Immediate Tooth Extraction

Here are a few symptoms to keep in mind:

  • Extreme pain or swelling (gums, jaw, or face)
  • Foul taste in your mouth
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty chewing or opening the mouth

Before you try to work through the pain (or convince yourself that it’s mild enough to ignore), just keep in mind that the longer you wait, the more likely you are to sustain additional damage to your oral health.

Why Visit an Emergency Dentist in Lighthouse Point, FL

While your first instinct may be to visit your local emergency room for painkillers or antibiotics, you’re better off visiting an emergency dentist in Lighthouse Point, FL who can treat the root of the problem. (Ideally, your emergency dentist and your general dentist will either be the same or at least share the same practice.)

At Florida Smiles Dental, we first and foremost do everything in our power to prevent emergencies, but because we know we can’t prevent everything, we offer emergency services when you need them most.