When Do You Need an Emergency Tooth Extraction?

When Do You Need an Emergency Tooth Extraction?

When Do You Need an Emergency Tooth Extraction? 

When Do You Need an Emergency Tooth Extraction at Park Hills Family Dentistry

Tooth pain can disrupt your life in a flash. While some dental problems can wait for a scheduled appointment, others require immediate attention—especially when a tooth needs to be extracted quickly to preserve your health and comfort. But how do you know if you truly need an emergency tooth extraction? At Park Hills Family Dentistry, we’re here to help you understand the signs and know when to take action.

What Is an Emergency Tooth Extraction?

An emergency tooth extraction is the immediate removal of a tooth due to severe damage, decay, infection, or trauma. Unlike routine extractions that are planned, emergencies arise when a tooth poses a serious health risk or causes unmanageable pain. In these cases, delaying treatment can lead to more serious issues such as the spread of infection, jaw damage, or overall health complications.

Signs You May Need an Emergency Extraction

Knowing the warning signs can help you take prompt action and avoid further problems. Here are the most common indicators:

1. Severe Tooth Pain

Persistent, sharp, or throbbing pain that doesn’t subside may signal a serious issue. This type of pain can indicate nerve damage, deep decay, or infection, all of which might require immediate extraction if other treatments are not possible.

2. Swollen Gums or Face

If your gums or face are swollen—especially with signs of redness or warmth—it could mean you have a serious infection like an abscess. In some cases, this infection can spread rapidly, making extraction necessary to remove the source.

3. Loose or Damaged Teeth

If you’ve suffered trauma or a tooth becomes loose due to severe gum disease, the best solution may be to extract it. Teeth that are cracked below the gumline or split into multiple pieces are usually not salvageable.

4. Infection That Won’t Heal

A tooth infection that doesn’t respond to antibiotics or keeps returning could threaten surrounding teeth and bone. In this case, extraction might be the safest route to protect your overall oral health.

5. Advanced Tooth Decay

When decay has completely destroyed a tooth’s structure and it cannot be repaired with a filling or crown, emergency extraction may be necessary.

What to Expect During an Emergency Tooth Extraction

If you’re experiencing one or more of the signs above, schedule an emergency dental appointment immediately. At Park Hills Family Dentistry, we prioritize patient comfort and safety—especially in emergency situations.

Here’s what the process generally looks like:

  • Assessment: The dentist will examine the tooth and take X-rays to determine the severity of the issue.

  • Pain Management: Local anesthesia or sedation will be administered to ensure a pain-free procedure.

  • Extraction: The tooth will be gently removed, and post-extraction care will be explained to promote healing.

  • Aftercare: You’ll be provided with instructions on managing discomfort, preventing infection, and options for replacing the tooth if needed.

Can All Dental Pain Be Resolved Without Extraction?

Not necessarily. While root canals, antibiotics, or other procedures can sometimes save a tooth, extractions are often the safest option when:

  • The infection is too severe.

  • The tooth is fractured beyond repair.

  • The decay has reached the bone.

That’s why it’s essential to see a qualified professional—like the team at Park Hills Family Dentistry—for a proper diagnosis and care plan.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

While not all emergencies are avoidable, good oral hygiene and regular checkups can go a long way in preventing them. Here are a few tips:

  • Brush and floss daily.

  • Visit your dentist every six months.

  • Wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports.

  • Avoid chewing hard items like ice or popcorn kernels.

  • Address dental issues early before they escalate.

Trust the Best Dentist in Lexington, KY

If you think you may need an emergency tooth extraction, don’t wait. Quick treatment can relieve your pain and protect your health. At Park Hills Family Dentistry, we offer compassionate, expert emergency dental care when you need it most. Our team will evaluate your situation, explain your options, and ensure you feel comfortable every step of the way.

Contact Park Hills Family Dentistry today to schedule your emergency appointment and get the care you deserve from the best dentist in Lexington, KY.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

impacted wisdom teeth - Lexington Ky

Impacted Wisdom Teeth 

What to Know About Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If there’s any dental problem you should try to avoid, it’s impacted wisdom teeth. Most people have an extra set of molars, also known as wisdom teeth, that come in during your early years as an adult. Some may need to have their wisdom teeth removed sooner. There’s not much you can do about your wisdom teeth coming in incorrectly. However, there are a few options your dentist in Lexington, KY, will recommend after coming in for an evaluation. In this article, we discuss what to know about impacted wisdom teeth. 

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth will require enough room for them to come in without a problem. When there’s not enough room, they become impacted. Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge and typically appear between the ages of 17 and 25. They are no longer necessary because our diet now comprises softer foods, and we have the ability to cut food into little pieces that we can easily chew. 

Wisdom teeth frequently fail to develop in normal alignment or fail to emerge all the way through the gum line. This results in impacted wisdom teeth that become wedged between the gums and jawbone. Impacted wisdom teeth can be quite uncomfortable. If you suspect that your wisdom teeth are coming in, contact our dental office to set up a tooth extraction consultation. 

Symptoms 

Those who have enough room for their wisdom teeth don’t have to get them removed. There are a few symptoms or signs that your wisdom teeth are coming in. Dr. Jinyoung Kim recommends keeping an eye out for these signs:

Swelling and Infection

With impacted wisdom teeth, there is often severe swelling, pain, and infection. The best dentists in Lexington, KY, will tell you that the problem should not be ignored. Furthermore, because impacted wisdom teeth can cause harm to neighboring gums, teeth, and bones, many dentists will suggest tooth extractions. Impacted wisdom teeth are more difficult to remove, put you at a higher risk of surgical complications, and can permanently harm bones and other teeth. Furthermore, the longer wisdom teeth pain persists, the more likely an infection may occur as a result of germs accessing open tissue.Dr. Boals, Colorado Springs dentist, adds that oral infections can have an adverse effect on overall systemic health.

Pain

Pain might be a sign of impacted wisdom teeth, which arise when the jaw bone or other teeth block wisdom teeth from emerging. Jaw pain and tenderness, redness and swelling of the gums around the tooth, foul breath, or a bad taste when you bite down on food are all signs that your wisdom teeth are impacted. Wisdom teeth that have become impacted can also put you at risk for cysts, which are pockets of fluid that grow around the tooth. 

Tumors can grow around the teeth in rare cases. Our friend Dr. Chris Green, a sedation dentist in Parker, CO, says that cysts and tumors can cause lasting harm to your jaw bone and other teeth. Wisdom tooth discomfort is not always a symptom that your wisdom teeth are impacted, but the longer you wait to see a dentist, the more likely your wisdom teeth will become affected.

Treatment

Tooth extraction can be performed in either a dentist’s or an oral surgeon’s office. To help you prevent discomfort during the treatment, either local or general anesthetic can be administered. To remove the impacted tooth, follow these steps:

  1. An incision is made in your gums to access the affected teeth and jawbone. After the teeth are pulled, the incision may require stitches to seal.
  2. To limit bleeding and aid healing, the socket where your teeth were extracted will be wrapped with gauze.
  3. Following the removal of your wisdom teeth, your dental expert or oral surgeon should provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for your mouth. Follow their advice to ensure a quick recovery.

Contact Your Lexington KY Dentist

Take action as soon as possible, whether you choose a conservative or surgical strategy to treating your wisdom teeth infection. If you ignore the symptoms of wisdom tooth infection, the situation will most certainly worsen. Furthermore, the older you get, the more difficult an extraction treatment can be. So, if you have an infection, don’t put it off—contact Park Hills Family Dentistry today.