We all tend to overlook minor dental pain we feel while chewing or brushing our teeth. But how do you decide that the pain is “minor”? What if there’s some underlying oral issue that you aren’t aware of? The fact is that you cannot really differentiate between the usual discomfort and a dental emergency.
A dental emergency is something that requires immediate attention and care. Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, at any time. Although it’s common amongst people, you must never ignore the symptoms. To make it easier for you to identify dental emergencies, here is the list.
1) Broken, Loose, or Fractured Tooth
A tooth can break, crack, or chip due to several reasons. It can happen if you eat something really hard or if you meet an accident. An injury or trauma during a sports game can also lead to this issue. Irrespective of the reason, if your tooth is cracked, chipped, fractured, broken, or loose, consider it as a dental emergency. A fractured tooth can hurt your tongue and cheeks. A broken tooth that got knocked off can create a site of bacteria if not addressed in time.
2) Infected Tooth
When bacteria attack your teeth and release disease-causing acids in your mouth, the consequences can be severe. Decay, cavities, foul smell, yellow teeth, and sensitivity are just the starting points of issues. Bacteria thrive on your teeth and eat away the structure. Whereas, acids slowly deplete your teeth and gum line, and result in infection. If you experience foul taste at a particular spot, tooth pain, bleeding gums, and other kinds of unusual signs, consider it as a dental emergency.
3) Dental Work Coming Off
If you underwent a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure, your dentist must have advised you of a few care tips. But if even after taking all the precautions, if your dental work comes off, it can be a matter of concern. By “dental work,” we mean a crown, filling, veneer, inlay, and bonding. If you realize your crown or veneer is coming off, try to catch it before you swallow it or lose it. But this is actually a dental emergency.
4) Mouth Sores
We often think that mouth sores develop when we eat a lot of spicy or acidic food. But if you have multiple mouth sores that just won’t go away, it can be a problem. While mouth sores are not life-threatening, they can be painful. A mouth sore can be a sign of oral infection or gum disease. Hence, it shouldn’t be taken lightly as it is a dental emergency. If you’re experiencing pain due to a mouth sore, as a temporary solution, you can try various home remedies.
The only solution to get the right treatment for these dental emergencies is visiting your dentist immediately. Any delay can result in more severe oral issues. So if you are experiencing these signs, delay no more; schedule your appointment with our dentist right away. We strive hard to keep you away from all oral discomforts and problems.