December 16, 2021
Overview
Dental pain can be a highly detrimental factor in your normal routine affecting all areas of your life.
Tooth pain can induce headaches, and sleepless nights and make eating and drinking extremely difficult.
Dental problems have the probability of becoming much more critical over time if left untreated.
Thus it’s important to be able to recognize accurately what is a dental emergency and what isn’t.
Dental emergencies are more common than one perceives them to be. Nonetheless, every dental issue should be considered an emergency.
Common symptoms of a dental emergency are bleeding, broken jaw, lost fillings, and more.
What Is Classified as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency can be classified by various factors. Experiencing symptoms that can negatively affect your life can be named a dental emergency.
Any situation that involves uncontrollable bleeding, facial bone trauma, and more is a dental emergency and if you have any of these symptoms, you must contact your local emergency room or dental specialist as soon as possible.
There is a difference between dental and medical emergencies thus it is important to learn all about a dental emergency and the action needed.
A dental emergency can cover a broad range of complaints, including:
Severe Dental Pain
Severe dental pain can be a sign of a dental emergency. Not just a painful nuisance, toothaches are not something one should take lightly.
They are a body’s way of telling that something is not normal in the mouth.
On experiencing a sudden and unexplainable toothache, one must find a qualified emergency dentist to help diagnose and treat the problem.
Swollen or Bleeding Gums
Occasional gum irritation is not a dental emergency but gums that won’t stop bleeding, accompanied by pain and swelling, can imply a vital dental or health issue.
Gums do not bleed without any obvious reason. See an emergency dentist immediately in case you are experiencing these symptoms.
Related Article: What to do When a Dental Emergency Occurs?
Knocked-out Tooth
A tooth that has fallen out due to trauma or injury can be a cause of alarm especially when the tooth is from the very front of the mouth.
A knocked-out tooth is not just a cosmetic problem but a gap in the gums caused by a missing tooth can result in remaining teeth moving to result in weakening of the jaw.
An emergency appointment can save the tooth. Moreover, quick action may make it possible for the dentist to reinsert and preserve the tooth.
Abscess
A serious and life-threatening condition, an abscess is a pocket of pus that can cause fever, tender lymph nodes in the neck, swelling in the face and a bump next to the infected tooth.
A serious infection can be life-threatening and an abscess in the mouth is considered a dental emergency.
If left untreated, the infection can spread to the jaw and other parts of the body.
In case you feel you have an abscess, you should book an emergency dentist appointment right away.
Chipped or Cracked Tooth
A chipped or cracked tooth is the only dental emergency when one has a serious or painful fracture.
So if the chipped tooth is accompanied by swelling, bleeding and pain in the gums, seek emergency dental help immediately.
Swollen Jaw or Mouth
Sudden swelling in the mouth or jaw, for no apparent reason, is a red flag and you should seek emergency help immediately.
It may be a sign of infection, irritation to the lymph nodes, or some other factor that should be treated as a priority.
Exposed Nerves
An unbearably painful experience that will worsen if one waits to see the dentist.
Prevention of further infections, nerve damage, or more comprehensive dental treatments is possible if emergency dental assistance is sought as soon as possible.
Missing Filling
Missing a filling can leave your tooth vulnerable to infection & may cause the tooth to easily break or chip without support and may even expose the tooth’s nerves, leading to several other dental issues that require instantaneous treatment.
Doctor’s Note
Dr. Gaurav Sharma an experienced dentist at Kirkland Premier dentistry emphasizes the fact that patients should be aware of the dental emergencies that need immediate medical attention.
She says this knowledge can save many teeth and help avoid serious problems. There is no harm in being extra careful when it comes to your teeth, so for any kind of dental emergency, feel free to contact us online or call the office.
