The fact that there are so many different types of dental concerns can make it hard to discern which ones are emergencies and which ones are not. Unfortunately, in cases where the dental issue is serious, waiting even just 24-hours to see the dentist can be the reason why you may not get to keep your tooth. Although urgent dental care is required for dental issues like tooth pain, painful and swollen gums, loose or broken teeth and damaged dentures, they are not limited to them.
If you’re confused about whether you should seek emergency dental care for your dental issues or wait to see the dentist, this is the article for you. Below, we have highlighted some of the ways for you to tell if you need an emergency dental care service.
Unexplained and severe toothaches
If you suddenly start to feel an unexplained, severe and persistent toothache, it could mean that you’ve developed a gum infection or disease. Usually, minor toothaches tend to go away with home remedies like a cold compress, salt-water and hydrogen peroxide rinse. However, if the pain becomes even more severe or persistent, then it is time to seek emergency dental care.
Chances are, you might have an abscessed tooth. Make sure to feel around your gums to see if the tooth causing you pain has any bumps close to it. Watch out for other symptoms like swelling, tooth sensitivity, and fever. Any or all of these symptoms are an indication that you need an emergency dental care service.
Uncontrolled bleeding
People who have been diagnosed with gum disease can experience a tiny amount of bleeding after brushing or flossing. However, the moment the bleeding becomes extreme, continuous and is accompanied by pain or swelling, it has become emergent, and you should book an appointment with a certified dental practice immediately as unexplained bleeding may be a symptom of an underlying periodontal disease.
Swollen jaw
A swollen jaw can be an indication of a serious case of infection (usually salivary gland infection). Also, if the jaw swelling is coupled with other symptoms like fever, trouble with swallowing or breathing and a bad taste in your mouth, emergency dental care should be gotten immediately.
Chipped or cracked tooth
Even if your chipped tooth doesn’t cause you pain, you still need to get emergency dental care. This is because there may be tooth fragments left in your mouth which can cause further damage if not resolved immediately.
Your mouth tastes like metal
If you’ve had a metal filling before and your mouth suddenly starts to taste like metal, it could be a sign that the filling has become loose or even cracked. An open filling will most likely leave your tooth susceptible to infections. Other symptoms an open filling may cause include; cavities, toothaches and, in worse cases, a root canal. To avoid any of these, immediately you notice any of these symptoms, contact your local Sutton dentist to provide you with a new filling after clearing out any infection or bacteria left behind by the old one.
Your tooth went numb
When you start to have no feeling at all in a tooth that was previously very painful, the infection may have spread to the root of that tooth, and this is never a good sign. Seek emergency dental care immediately.
Conclusion:
A toothache shouldn’t be the only reason you seek emergency dental care, as there are several other situations that call for it. Please pay close attention to any changes in your mouth as they could be indications of something more serious. If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, make an appointment with Sherwood Park Dental Practice today before the problem worsens.
