Dental emergencies can happen at any time and for a range of reasons. Should you require immediate treatment for a dental issue, your best option is to schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist. There are many dental issues that constitute an emergency and it is helpful to understand what these are.
Putting off treatment for a dental emergency can prolong your pain and make the issue more difficult to resolve in the future. In this blog post, we will highlight 3 sure signs that you have a dental emergency.
1. Sudden Tooth Loss
Losing a tooth when you are a child usually results in a profitable visit from the Tooth Fairy. However, when you lose a tooth as an adult, it can be painful, distressing, and a real aesthetic issue. A tooth can be knocked out for different reasons, including a blow to the mouth while playing contact sports or as a result of a fall.
The good news is that if action is quickly taken, the tooth may remain viable and your dentist may be able to replant it. The first step after locating the tooth is to pick it up by the crown and rinse it in water. If possible, reinsert the tooth yourself and bite on a handkerchief to help hold it in place, then make a plan for going to the dentist right away.
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2. Abscessed Tooth
A tooth abscess is caused by a bacterial infection. It occurs when a pocket of pus forms inside the teeth, gums, or bone that hold the teeth in place and can be painful to experience (though not always). The main symptoms of a dental abscess include:
- Intense throbbing pain in the affected tooth
- Pain that spreads to jaw, neck, and ear
- Swelling and redness in your face
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods/drinks
- Unpleasant taste in your mouth
Even though a tooth abscess is not always painful, it will not go away on its own and you should seek treatment from an emergency dentist.
3. Loose Metal Filling
Another sign that you have a dental emergency is that you are experiencing a metal taste in your mouth. This is most likely caused by a loose metal filling, as a result of an old filling that has become loose or is cracking.
Ignoring this issue increases your chances of infection and makes the tooth in question more prone to cavities. During the emergency procedure, your dentist will remove the old metal filling, clean the tooth, and place a new filling.
Sure Signs You Have a Dental Emergency
Other examples of dental emergencies include chipped or broken teeth, bleeding and pain after a tooth extraction, and broken orthodontics. All of these are signs that you should schedule a dentist visit without delay.
Like this blog post on sure signs you have a dental emergency? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.
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