What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies suck. Not only could they cause you immense pain, but also you could risk irreparable damage if you don’t attend to them promptly. How do you differentiate between a toothache that needs emergency care and that which can wait till the next day? This article rounded up some of the conditions that require a mad rush to your emergency dentist near you.

Loose Teeth

Although it is normal for kids that have begun shedding off their milk teeth to have loose teeth, it should be a cause for alarm in adults. In adults, teeth have fully developed, so if you experience looseness, it could indicate several things. First, you may have experienced injury or trauma to your mouth during sports or in an accident. Loose teeth could also result from a localized infection. In case the tooth is causing you a toothache, the underlying issue could be dental caries or gum disease.

Although your tooth may appear to be perfectly fine, you might still want your dentist in Phoenix to check for jaw or nerve damage. At Encanto Family Dental Care, your emergency dentist will perform an oral exam and x-ray to determine the underlying issue. When detected early, treatment can begin to stop the infection’s further spread, therefore saving your teeth from potential extraction.

Severe Toothache

While it is not uncommon to experience toothaches, severe pain is enough sign that you need to see your emergency dentist near you. If this is the case, call your dentist immediately and let them know you are on your way. Do not wait in the hopes that the pain will go away on its own. You could rinse your mouth using warm water and apply a pack of ice on the affected side of your face to reduce the swelling and pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers could also be of help as you wait to meet your dentist in Phoenix.

A toothache could be a sign of a more serious issue. Treatment will depend on the underlying problem; therefore, proper diagnosis is essential.

Bleeding and Aching Gums

Sometimes, you may notice blood on your gums after flossing. Most people ignore this sign, which shouldn’t be the case. This should cause you even more worry if the bleeding is excessive and recurs, leaving behind aching gums. The symptoms are indications of periodontal disease, which significantly impairs your oral health. The key to keeping healthy and strong teeth and gums is catching the infection in its early stages. Only then can your teeth be restored to their original healthy state. It would be best to visit your dentist at Encanto Family Dental Care before the damage progresses.

Knocked-Out Teeth

Your teeth may fall out during contact sports or when you fall. If this happens to you, the first thing you should do is let your dentist know about your situation. Next, try locating the knocked-out tooth. You do not have to find it, but if you do, pick it by its crown, not the roots. After that, try placing it back into its socket and in the right direction. If this isn’t possible, do not force it. Instead, take it out and put it into a jar containing water or milk. The goal is to keep your tooth as moist as possible. Before you take the jar with you to the dentist, rinse your mouth with warm water. It would also help if you were quick because it would be impossible to put the tooth back if you do not get to the dentist’s office within an hour.

Tooth Abscess

If you have experienced a tooth abscess, then you must know that the pain alone should send you running to the dentist’s office. An abscess usually manifests as a painful pocket of pus located at your tooth root. Several factors could cause it–severe periodontal disease, cavity, and trauma to the tooth. Some of its symptoms include fever, bad taste in the mouth, and swollen glands. Treatment involves surgery to drain out the infection.

Metallic Taste in your Mouth

A metallic taste in your mouth could be a sign that your filling or crown has come off. After several years of service, fillings come out, and when this happens, they should be replaced. The same applies to crowns. Ignoring this could lead to a severe toothache or increased tooth sensitivity.