Various mouth injuries can cause pain, swelling, discomfort or more serious problems, but it is interesting to know what is a dental emergency and what are the signs that show that you need to see a dentist right away.
It's important to understand the difference between a common dental problem (which can be put off until your next dental visit) and an emergency that could put your health at risk. In the blog, we discuss what you need to know about dental emergencies and how to recognize a dental problem that needs immediate attention.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any dental problem that requires immediate treatment to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, or save a tooth. This also applies to dental infections (such as septicemia), which can be life-threatening.
Dental emergencies are often characterized by pain and bleeding, however, not all toothaches are considered emergencies. To determine if you need emergency dental care or if you can wait until your next dental visit, check if you experience any of the following:
1. A missing tooth that suddenly fell out/cracked out
A chipped or knocked out tooth may indicate a localized infection (such as tooth decay or gum disease) or damage to the tooth (usually caused by a strong impact from a fall, sports injury, or car accident). By acting quickly, your dentist can either reinsert your tooth and save it or find and treat the root cause.
In such a case, before going to the dentist, do the following:
Pick up the tooth carefully, without touching the root
rinse (do not scrub)
If possible, reinsert it into its socket
If you can't put it back in, place it in a container of water or milk
See your dentist as soon as possible to increase your chances of saving your natural tooth
2. You have a strong toothache
Tooth pain and discomfort is not something to be ignored. Pain indicates a problem that needs to be checked. If you have a sudden and severe toothache, and the pain worsens instead of easing, visit your dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
2. Gums pain, swelling or bleeding
A problem such as occasional gum irritation is not a medical emergency, but excessive or recurring bleeding gums may indicate a health or dental problem, especially if accompanied by swelling and pain. These symptoms (especially those caused by gum disease) can indicate a serious illness and should not be ignored.
3. Swollen jaw
If the jaw is suddenly enlarged/swollen for no apparent reason, then it's time to see your dentist for immediate treatment. These symptoms could indicate a serious infection, irritated lymph nodes, or something that should be seen by a professional dentist.
4. You notice signs of abscess
An abscessed tooth is a painful, severe and potentially life-threatening infection that usually occurs at the base of an infected tooth. This is usually caused by severe gum disease, untreated tooth decay, or some trauma to the teeth.
Symptoms of tooth abscess are:
Fever
unpleasant taste in the mouth
Tooth sensitivity
Constant toothache
Eruptions on the gums
puffy face
Tender lymph nodes in the neck
An infected tooth is a dental emergency because the infection can spread beyond the mouth and cause problems in other areas of the body.
5. A particle stuck between the teeth
You should see your dentist immediately if any particles get stuck between your teeth and cannot be removed by flossing/flossing. Failure to remove the particle can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, gum irritation, or infection.
6. If the crown of the tooth breaks and falls out
You should see your dentist immediately if the crown of your tooth breaks or falls out completely. This is necessary because the tooth remains vulnerable and susceptible to infection. An emergency visit to the dentist to replace your dental crown can help you avoid the need for an extraction, root canal treatment, or other dental procedure to maintain your oral health.
While good oral hygiene practices can help prevent dental problems, emergencies can still happen. That's why we offer emergency dental services in Dunblanche to relieve the pain and resolve any dental problems.
If you have any of the signs discussed above, remember, time is of the essence to avoid it
