A wisdom tooth is impacted when it does not have enough space to grow, resulting in infection or inflammation. For Kamloops, BC residents, knowing what to do if they experience impacted wisdom teeth and what their treatment options are is important for their oral health. In this blog post, we will discuss impacted wisdom teeth, their symptoms, and the options we have in Kamloops to treat them by the dentist in Kamloops, BC.

What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually appear in late adolescence or early adulthood. The term impacted wisdom teeth means there is not enough space in the mouth to allow all four new wisdom teeth to come in correctly. As a result, they can develop at an angle, stay partially erupted, or become completely trapped beneath the gum line.

Signs That Your Wisdom Teeth Are Impacted

Pain and discomfort: This is typically the first symptom noticed, occurring in the back of the mouth.
Swelling and redness: The gums surrounding the affected tooth may appear swollen and red.
Infection: Poorly erupted wisdom teeth can trap food and bacteria, making infection a risk.
Difficulty opening mouth: Swelling and pain may limit your mouth opening.
Bad breath: Chronic bad breath, or foul smells in the mouth, can indicate an infection.

Diagnosis and Assessment

If you are showing those signs then definitely need to visit a Kamloops dentist for a checkup. Your dentist will:

Conduct a clinical oral examination: Searching your mouth for possible impacted teeth and complications.
Get X-rays: This will give you a clear picture of the position of your wisdom teeth and check how deeply they are impacted.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Treatment Options

Observation: If your impacted wisdom teeth are not yet causing any issues, your dentist may recommend a “watch and wait” period in some cases. Routine dental visits and X-rays will allow the dentist to keep an eye on the situation, and notice any changes that may require intervention.

Medication: For mild symptoms, your dentist may provide medication to manage pain and reduce inflammation. If there is an infection, an antibiotic is also prescribed. Although medications may help reduce symptoms, they do not cure the underlying impaction and generally only provide temporary relief.

Surgical Extraction: If your wisdom teeth are impacted and they are causing pain, infection, or other complications, surgical extraction is the most common and effective form of treatment. Here’s what you can expect in the course of the procedure:

Preparation: Your tooth doctor or dental surgeon will review the procedure with you, including the kind of anesthesia that will be administered.
Extraction: The oral surgeon will then remove the tooth that is stuck in the jaw or under the gums. It is possible to split the tooth into smaller pieces to facilitate extraction.
Stitches: After the tooth is extracted, the incision will need to be closed up with stitches, which may dissolve naturally or need to be taken out at a later date.
Recovery: After the surgery, recovery involves taking prescribed medications, ice packs to minimize swelling, and a diet of soft food for several days.

If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can cause extreme pain and add risk to future infections and cysts. Numerous treatments are useful in managing impacted wisdom teeth, ranging from just observation and medication to extraction via surgery. If you’re exhibiting signs or symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, schedule an appointment with a local dentist to find out the best plan for your oral health. Receiving an accurate diagnosis, proper treatment, and good post-extraction care can help ensure you recover without a hitch and keep your overall dental health intact.