Dental issues are not something we should take lightly. What starts out as mild discomfort can rapidly turn into chronic infection, pain and inflammation, if left untreated for a long period of time. Rather than thinking it will resolve itself on its own or get better with time, it’s wise to get it looked at by a dental professional as soon as possible, mainly to avoid more serious complications evolving later down the track. This article will look at some of the common symptoms to watch out for prior to seeking emergency dental care.
- Chronic or Persistent Tooth Pain
If you’re experiencing this symptom, then it’s a very clear sign to seek emergency dental care. Although the pain may appear to subside at times, if it’s been lingering for more than a week and isn’t going away, this indicates an obvious problem that requires immediate attention. In order for this to be diagnosed correctly, visiting an experienced dentist is advised. Often when we experience dental pain, this is the body’s way of telling us that there is damage present – this may show up as infection, nerve damage, inflammation or severe decay.
If you’re struggling to eat food, consume cold drinks or feel excruciating pain when you bite down, this could be an indication of nerve damage or exposed tooth pulp.
If you leave untreated infections too long, this may spread to other tissues in the body, in some very extreme cases. The key is to get to the dentist fast – don’t leave it too late.
- Gum & Facial Swelling
Another serious warning sign that mustn’t be ignored is visible swelling around the cheeks, gums and jaw area. You may also have bad breath, redness and tooth sensitivity. An abscess usually indicates a tooth infection or abscess; and is often a result of bacteria penetrating the inner tooth and gum tissue.
If you’re experiencing throbbing tooth pain, have a metallic taste in your mouth, visible swelling and sometimes even high fever, don’t want to waste another minute. Get to an emergency dentist right away. Emergency treatment is absolutely essential to ensure the infection is completely drained away and the tooth protected from potential loss. Your dentist is there to help prevent serious complications from getting worse, providing you with professional advice to restore your oral health.
According to Health Direct, “A tooth abscess will not go away on its own. It is important to get treatment early to stop the infection from spreading and help you feel better faster. An untreated abscess might get worse and can lead to life-threatening complications.”
Click here for further information on how to manage this serious oral condition: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tooth-abscess
- Loose Teeth or Lost Tooth Due To Accident
This is a pretty obvious one. A tooth that has been knocked out from an unforeseen accident, sports injury or even an unexpected fall, don’t think twice – get to an emergency dentist fast. In cases like this, by acting quick and without hesitation, you are increasing your chances of saving your tooth significantly.
Your dentist can successfully reattach your tooth, providing it’s within a 60-minute timeframe. However, please be mindful when handling a ‘knocked out’ tooth. Avoid touching the root and handle gently by the crown. It’s best to place it in a glass of milk immediately, as this will help preserve the tooth until you reach an emergency.
On the other hand, if a tooth has become loose, there’s a high probability that gum disease is present or possibly even bone loss. Seeking immediate care will ensure your tooth is stabilized and restored.
- Excessive Bleeding
If your gums are inflamed from hard brushing or flossing, and there is persistent blood flow in your mouth, this should be taken seriously. A trip to the dental emergency department is recommended, as this may indicate deeper underlying damage to the tissue.
If you don’t jump onto this right away, there’s a risk of not only increased blood loss but it could lead to other more serious oral infections – potentially causing a myriad of other issues if not careful. A prompt dental evaluation is highly advisable to ensure symptoms don’t progressively get worse.
For more information on managing your dental health better, click here: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/dental-health?language=en
- Dental Abscess Infection
A dental abscess is a very serious infection that affects all areas of the mouth, particularly if left untreated. This type of infections usually stems from other oral related issues such as untreated cavities, trauma and gum disease and is accompanied by painful symptoms such as: pus in the mouth, bad breath and swollen gums.
If proper care is avoided, this can start to impact the jaw, neck and possibly even the bloodstream, resulting in unwanted complications – costing thousands of dollars in dental treatment work. Although not the most pleasant thing to experience, seeking emergency care will ensure you’re in the best hands, giving you every chance of making a full recovery. Your dentist may also administer medication or antibiotics to clear up any residual infection.
Dental Emergencies Can Hit Suddenly – Don’t Leave it To Chance
Ignoring the symptoms and signs of a dental emergency can do more harm than good, resulting in damage that could cost you thousands of dollars in treatment costs. At My Dentist Canberra, we prioritise emergency appointments from the onset, with the aim of getting you out of pain and back to normal fast. In fact, early intervention is key. Our team of experienced and compassionate emergency dentists will ensure your overall oral health is protected – preventing more serious dental problems from occurring later down the track.
Knowing the signs about emergency dental FAQs
How Do I Know If What I’m Going Through is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency often comes with chronic bleeding, severe pain, possible infection, loss of teeth, dental abscess and swelling and inflammation. If any of these symptoms are present, you must seek emergency care immediately to prevent it from getting worse.
How Do I Know Which Dentist to Visit First: Local Emergency Dentist or Emergency Hospital?
It really depends on the severity of the issue. In many cases, visiting your local emergency dentist is fine for issues such as a broken teeth, tooth pain or bleeding. However, if your breathing is impacted and there is severe swelling present, visiting an emergency hospital is highly recommended. Doctors may be able to assist with your issue prior to receiving dental treatment.
My Tooth Is Knocked Out – What Now?
The first thing is – try not to panic. Remain as calm as possible and make it a priority to get to the emergency hospital as quickly as possible, usually within the hour. Carefully pick up your tooth and if possible, try and place it back into its socket, but without applying too much pressure. If you have access to milk, try and store this in a glass of milk to preserve the tooth. The goal is to get visit a dental professional immediately to save the missing tooth.
I Have Chronic Tooth Pain, Should I Wait to See If It Goes Away Over the Next Few Days?
In some cases, a toothache can come and go. Although it may subside temporarily, the issue is still there. It hasn’t gone away.
Whether it’s mild or severe tooth pain, it’s still recommended you visit your local emergency dentist as soon as possible. They will determine the severity of infection, decay and nerve damage present – and if appropriate, administer suitable medication and treatment to ensure a swift recovery.
If I Can’t Get to an Emergency Dentist Right Away, Is There Anything I can Do to Minimise the Pain?
There are some proven ‘tried and tested’ pain remedies you can try at home before visiting the dentist. This may include rinsing your mouth out with warm, saltwater several times throughout the day.
Not only is this excellent for reducing bacteria and inflammation, it provides temporary relief before visiting the dentist.
