Can A Dentist in Arana Hills Treat A Decayed Wisdom Tooth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through. The reason why they are called wisdom teeth is that people are of a more mature (presumably wiser) age when they eventually break through the skin of the gums.

Also known as third molars, wisdom teeth typically appear between the ages of 17 to 21, although this varies from person to person. While many people may be approaching the early years of adulthood by the time they get their wisdom teeth, those third molars are not without their problems. If you experience problems with your wisdom teeth, don’t delay seeking professional treatment. Get on your phone, laptop or computer and search for a dentist near me or dentist Arana Hills to arrange an expert consultation and treatment.

Why are wisdom teeth more prone to problems?

One common reason is overcrowding of the mouth. By the time your wisdom teeth break through, you already have a mouth full of teeth, and sometimes there just isn’t much room for more. This can result in an impacted wisdom tooth and teeth coming through crooked. Another typical reason wisdom teeth can have issues is the fact that they are often harder to brush and even more difficult to floss. Regular professional teeth cleaning at your Arana Hills dentist can save you from a lot of problems down the track.

As they are more difficult to maintain, wisdom teeth are often more prone to developing tooth decay. So, can a dentist in Arana Hills effectively treat a wisdom tooth suffering from decay?

The answer is yes, but before we get into treatment options, let’s first take a look at the signs of a decayed wisdom tooth and what the risks are if you don’t do something about it.

Signs of a Decayed Wisdom Tooth

While any tooth in your mouth is at risk of decay due to a variety of reasons, wisdom teeth are more prone to tooth decay; especially if the wisdom tooth is impacted. Not all impacted wisdom teeth remain below the gum line and under the skin. Many breach the skin but become trapped in the gum and don’t emerge as fully grown teeth. This can lead to a build-up of plaque on the tooth, which then transforms into an acid that slowly erodes the tooth enamel. Decay then sets in.

As stated earlier, wisdom teeth are often harder to maintain and even more so when they are impacted. If you suspect you’re suffering from tooth decay, search for a dentist near me and book an appointment with your dentist Arana Hills.
Here are the signs that your wisdom tooth is decayed and/or you are suffering from a gum infection:

Bad breath

A decaying tooth will often result in bad breath. If your breath is not smelling like roses despite regular brushing and flossing, this could be an early indicator that your wisdom tooth is decayed. You may also detect a persistent unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Sensitivity

Is the tooth sensitive when chewing food, drinking cold liquid, eating ice cream and so on? Not all sensitive teeth are decayed, but it’s a definite warning sign to have the offending tooth checked by your Arana Hills dentist.

Inflamed gums  

A decayed wisdom tooth will often cause gum inflammation, resulting in pus building up on the inside or outside of the gum. This pus can also leak from the gum. Severe inflammation may result in sore and swollen lymph nodes under the jaw. Inflammation can also cause pain when opening the mouth and possibly even lead to developing a fever and headaches.

Black Spots

Use a torch and examine the wisdom tooth in question in the mirror. Can you see any black spots on the tooth? Tooth decay can also present as brown or grey spots. If you see signs of decay, book an appointment with your dentist in Arana Hills as soon as possible.

Toothache

A toothache is the most obvious sign your wisdom tooth is decayed. Often, by the time pain sets in, the decay of the tooth is in an advanced stage.

Broken tooth

Decayed teeth are brittle, and it’s not uncommon for a piece of the affected tooth to break away unexpectedly while chewing. Tooth decay in a wisdom tooth can also lead to the tooth developing pits and holes.

Risks of a Decayed Wisdom Tooth

Any problem in the body presents a risk, and a decayed wisdom tooth is no different. To really define the potential risks, search for a ‘dentist near me’ and organise a consultation.

One of the major risks of not having your decayed wisdom tooth looked at by your Arana Hills dentist is that the decay can spread to neighbouring teeth, leading to even more problems and possibly the loss of several teeth.

It was mentioned in the section above that an infection brought on by tooth decay can develop into a fever and headaches, and if the infection gets into the body’s bloodstream, this can result in other health issues as well.

Besides the pain and discomfort that a decayed wisdom tooth can cause, more conditions could result, such as gum disease, cysts and possibly even tumours.

Treatment for a Decayed Wisdom Tooth

The best course of action is to talk to your dentist Arana Hills, about treatment options for decayed and impacted wisdom teeth.

Removal of the wisdom tooth in question is often the preferred method of treatment for a decayed wisdom tooth. This is something you need to discuss with your dentist. Some people even opt to have all of their wisdom teeth removed before they have a chance to develop any problems.

Removing a decayed or impacted wisdom tooth is one obvious option, but it’s not the only possible form of treatment.

For example, the wisdom tooth might be able to be saved with restorative fillings. Filling a wisdom tooth is really no different to having any other tooth filled. It really depends on the severity of the decay and the health of the tooth’s nerve, and whether the restorative filling is a viable option. Your dentist in Arana Hills will be able to make the right judgement call on this.

If your dentist believes the tooth can be saved and restored by filling the tooth, then it’s a fairly simple procedure of removing the decay and then restoring the tooth as close as possible to its original form with either a composite resin or glass Ionomer cement.

In some instances, root canal therapy may be required to return the tooth and nerve to perfect health. Once again, your Arana Hills dentist will know whether a root canal is required and can explain the steps of the procedure to you in detail.

Wisdom Tooth Removal at Admire Dentistry

If you’re looking for the best dentist in Arana Hills, look no further than Admire Dentistry. In fact, we’re more of a dental wellness centre than just a clinic, and our facility is both eco-friendly and modern. There’s no need for you to search for a ‘dentist near me’ once you book an appointment with us.

Among our comprehensive dental services is a specialisation in wisdom tooth treatment and wisdom tooth removal. Together, we’ll evaluate your problem wisdom tooth and arrive at the best course of treatment.

For a quality dentist in Arana Hills, contact Admire Dentistry and make an appointment today.