A dental emergency can result in future discomfort or even more serious issues. You might be curious as to what constitutes a dental emergency and what symptoms indicate the need for immediate dental care. A Greenbelt general dentist can help in case of an emergency.
Knowing the difference between a dental condition that can wait until your next checkup and an emergency that could endanger your health is crucial. What you should know about dental emergencies and how to spot a dental issue that requires urgent care are topics covered in this article.
A dental emergency?
Any dental issue that requires immediate attention to relieve excruciating pain, halt bleeding, or save a tooth is referred to as a dental emergency. This also holds true for potentially fatal dental infections (such as septicemia).
The most common dental crises and warning indications that you require immediate dental treatment
Pain and bleeding are common characteristics of dental crises. Not all toothaches or dental issues, though, are regarded as emergencies. Examine your mouth for the following dental problems or symptoms to decide if you require emergency dental care or whether you can wait until your next appointment.
- You have a chipped or missing tooth.
If any of your teeth are wobbly, loose, or have been knocked out of your mouth, you must visit the dentist immediately. A tooth that is loose or has been knocked out may result from a tooth injury or a localized infection. If you act quickly, your dentist may be able to save your tooth by re-implanting it or by determining the underlying issue and treating it.
- You have got a terrible toothache.
You should not overlook discomfort or pain in your teeth. They are your body’s method of alerting you to an oral problem that needs to be examined. Visit your emergency dentist for the correct diagnosis and treatment if you have sudden or unexplained tooth pain or if the pain’s intensity has escalated.
- You observe indications of a dental abscess.
An abscessed tooth is an intensely painful, perhaps fatal, infection that typically affects the tooth’s root. Significant gum disease, untreated cavities, or any dental trauma, such as a chipped or shattered tooth, are the usual causes. Among the signs of a dental abscess are:
- fever
- unpleasant aftertaste
- sensitive teeth
- enduring tooth pain
- lumps that resemble pimples on your gums
- enlarged face
- neck lymph nodes that are painful
- You lack a dental filling.
Your old filling may be loose or damaged if you have had a metal filling in the past and your tongue starts to taste like metal suddenly. A potential dental emergency is a missing filling since the tooth can easily break without the strength the filling offers.
