We often tend to put off dental visits for as long as possible, even if we see signs of oral health issues. However, in some cases, a seemingly minor issue can become severe very quickly and will require a visit to an emergency dental office. Please read our article to learn about the signs you need emergency dental care.
Signs You Need Emergency Dental Care
Below, we listed nine signs that you need to schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist.
You Have a Loose Tooth
Healthy permanent teeth are stable and secure in their sockets. A loose tooth might indicate a severe infection, such as gum disease or tooth decay. Regardless of the cause, a loose tooth is not likely to heal on its own, and there is a very high risk of losing it entirely. In addition, severe infections in teeth and gums can lead to dangerous consequences such as jawbone deterioration, heart, lung, and gastrointestinal issues, and even life-threatening sepsis.
You Sustained an Oral Trauma or Your Tooth Was Knocked Out
Oral trauma of any kind is always a reason to get emergency dental care, as it can cause damage to the jawbone, mouth tissue, and tooth nerve, as well as loose teeth. If your tooth was knocked out, it is crucial to visit a dentist within the first 20 to 60 minutes after the injury. You should bring the knocked-out tooth to the dental office because it might be possible to place it back into the socket. Keep your knocked-out tooth in a clean container with milk or saliva on your way to the dentist, but never clean your tooth with water.
You Have Severe Toothache
If you have severe and persistent pain that lasts for more than 1 to 2 days, it is an indication of a dental emergency. In some cases, such pain can be accompanied by a headache, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or swelling in the face. Infection in the chambers of the tooth or the gums can cause severe toothache.
You Have a Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a pocket of puss that is usually located in the gums next to a tooth’s root or at the tip of the root. This infection will not heal on its own and can spread and destroy the tooth and the jawbone. Symptoms of a dental abscess can include fever, bad breath, bad taste in the mouth, pus oozing from the gum, and swollen gums.
Your Jaw Is Swollen
Some dental procedures cause jaw swelling, which is expected to last for a couple of days after the procedure. However, if it lasts for more than 1 to 2 days after the procedure or if you have not had any procedures recently, a swollen jaw can indicate a severe infection in the mouth.
You Have a Canker Sore That Does Not Go Away
Canker sores are small ulcers in the mouth that are quite common and typically go away within a week. However, if your sore does not heal, is unusually big, or seems to be getting bigger, and is accompanied by swelling or fever, it is a sign you need emergency dental care. Such canker sores can indicate an infection in the mouth or the body or immune system issues.
Your Tooth Is Numb
If your tooth suddenly becomes numb after you have experienced toothache, it might mean that the infection has damaged the nerves of the tooth. To save the tooth from extraction, visit your dentist as soon as possible. In some cases, root canal treatment can help preserve the tooth.
You Have a Metal Taste in Your Mouth
A broken filling sealant often results in a metal taste in the mouth. To prevent bacteria and food residue from penetrating the tooth’s chambers and causing infection, restore the dental filling as soon as possible.
Your Gums Are Painful and Bleeding
Bleeding in the gums that does not go away can be a sign of progressed gum disease that jeopardizes your teeth and general health or of dental trauma and lacerations in the mouth. Both these conditions require immediate medical attention.
Make an Appointment Today
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, do not hesitate to call Shodhan DHS and schedule a same-day dental care appointment. Remember that dental trauma and oral infection can cause tooth loss and severe general health issues. We look forward to welcoming you to our office.
