Given the different types of dental concerns most people have, it can be sometimes difficult to determine which one is considered an emergency. While an emergency dentist is just around the corner waiting for your visit, you probably don’t know whether your tooth problems are normal or otherwise.
If you’re uncertain how to know which is serious or which one can wait, below are the eight signs you may need emergency dental help right away:
1. You Start To Get A Loose Tooth
As you grow older, you shouldn’t experience a loose tooth since you’re expected to have mature and sturdy teeth that are being used for eating, speaking, and living a healthy lifestyle. However, if you begin getting a loose tooth, there may be something wrong with your tooth.
Typically, a loose tooth can be due to a tooth injury, a nerve or jaw damage or even a localized infection. Whatever the cause is, you may want to call an emergency dentist to determine the real problem and how it can be treated right away. Not only that but getting a loose tooth can be painful to patients, which is why you should ask for medical attention right away. By seeking emergency dental help, you can prevent the infection from spreading and protect your concerned tooth from further damage.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for the right dentist for your needs, you may want to check Familydentalhealth.com to get more information and make a sound decision.
2. You Have Frequent Unexplained Toothaches
Another sign that you should keep an eye on are persistent, unexplained, and severe toothaches. When you experience this type of dental problem, you may have gum disease or an infection that should be addressed immediately.
For instance, if the toothaches are minor, you may consider using at-home solutions to relieve the pain. However, if the aching persists and starts to affect your daily activities, it’s then time to visit your emergency dentist.
To be sure about this, touch the area around your gums and check if there’s an unknown bump that causes you a lot of pain. Also, be sure to ask for emergency dental help if you’re experiencing fever or swelling in the mouth due to your frequent unexplained toothaches.
3. You Experience A Swollen Jaw
Having a swollen jaw is a very uncommon occurrence. But when you have this, it can be a sign that you’re suffering from a salivary gland infection. It refers to a bacterial infection usually caused by a serious blockage in your salivary glands. When these glands are blocked off, your saliva may be unable to break down food and wash away bacteria inside your mouth.
Thus, if you have a swollen jaw, along with breathing or swallowing problems, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth, you should call for emergency dental assistance right away. This is the only way to make sure you don’t leave these symptoms untreated.
4. You Suffer From Dental Abscess
Dental abscess is one of the serious dental conditions you may have. When you suffer from this condition, you usually experience extreme pain and this alone should be a good reason why you should visit an emergency dentist as soon as you can.
Also, even if your abscess isn’t as painful, you still need to get it treated right away, especially if there’s pus and if you think it spreads a serious infection throughout your body. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing that your abscess will no longer cause a more serious dental condition when it’s left untreated.
5. You Have Gum Disease
Seeing your gums bleed after flossing can indicate early gum disease. This is especially true if the bleeding is excessive and recurring, and there’s aching. Hence, when this happens, you shouldn’t wait for more time before you call a dentist.
Generally, bleeding gums can be a serious concern that requires an emergency dental assistance. When you call an emergency dentist, you’ll be able to address the problem immediately and restore your teeth back to their healthy state.
6. You Have An Open Sore That Doesn’t Heal Within A Few Weeks
Typically, having canker or open sores in the mouth is normal and they happen a couple of times to any person. However, when this oral condition is lingering and doesn’t heal within two weeks or more, it can be a sign that it’s infected and requires emergency dental help.
So, if you experience this lingering open sore inside your mouth, you should schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist to know what’s really going on with your dental health.
7. You Suffer From A Mouth Injury
While having a mouth injury is something that doesn’t usually happen, it can still be one of the signs you may need emergency dental help. Whether your mouth is injured due to a car accident or while playing sports, you should call an emergency dentist to treat the problem as quickly as possible. This is especially true if you don’t have visible signs of mouth injury but you may have nerve damage that needs immediate dental care.
In such a case, be sure to allow your dentist to examine your injury and provide you with proper treatment.
8. Your Mouth Tastes Like Metal
While tasting metal in your mouth is harmless per se because it’s only a sign that your filling has become loose, it’s still important to seek emergency dental assistance for this condition. When you have an open filling, you may be at risk of getting cavities and other serious infections.
Remember, the more you wait too long to address this problem, the more you increase the chances of needing a root canal to treat it. So, find an emergency dentist right away to ensure you’re not delaying important treatments.
Final Thoughts
Ideally, there are so many reasons behind taking an emergency dental visit. Because of this, you should always pay attention to everything that’s going on in your mouth. Any significant changes or symptoms can be an indicator of a bigger dental condition.
Therefore, if you want to make sure you’re getting emergency dental care the right way, keep in mind the signs mentioned above and don’t hesitate to get yourself treated.