A Guide to Understanding Your Dental Emergency
Damage to teeth and gums can’t be ignored. It’s always important to act quickly if something is wrong, but some dental issues are more pressing than others. How can you know the difference between a dental problem that needs to be solved soon and a problem that needs to be solved now?
We never want our patients to put off a dental procedure when it could lead to lasting harm, so we’ve compiled a list of important warning signs that mean you should get your teeth checked out as soon as possible. After all, you’ve only got so many teeth — it’s best to keep them all in good shape.
If you believe you’re having a dental emergency, follow our tips below and keep reading for specific dental emergency information.
- Call your dentist immediately. At Sound Dental in Morehead City, NC—we’re here to help, give us a call!
- Manage the pain. You can reduce the pain of the abscess with over-the-counter pain relievers, avoiding hot/cold drinks, or applying a cold compress to your cheek for 10-15 minutes.
- Avoid smoking or checking tobacco.
1. Dental abscess
A dental abscess is a small collection of pus inside of a tooth or gums that is caused by a bacterial infection. If your symptoms include shiny red swollen gums, a fever, or pain that spreads to your jaw or neck, you may have an abscess, even if you don’t see it. Abscesses can lead to very serious complications if left untreated—don’t wait! Call today. Signs of a worsening abscess include increased swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, or facial numbness. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
2. Broken or Knocked Out Tooth
Physical damage to your teeth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies you can experience. If your tooth has been damaged, rinse your mouth with warm water immediately and call us as soon as possible. If your tooth has come out, gently try to put it back into the socket (without touching the root!) or keep it in your mouth to protect it until we can see you.
3. Significant pain or swelling in the teeth, gums, or jaw
Constant pain or swelling in your mouth is never normal! This symptom may seem vague or common, but it could be a sign of major damage or an infection that could have nasty results if left untreated. Don’t tough it out. Call us and we will decide together whether you need to come in for an appointment.
4. Lost filling or crown
A crown or filling can become loose or even fall out for a variety of reasons. If you lose a crown or filling, it’s important to try to save it — we may be able to reuse it. Rinse the area with warm salt water and continue to brush the damaged tooth (gently!) until we can see you.
Ignoring any of these four dental problems could result in the permanent loss of teeth. Infections can even spread to other parts of your body and cause serious general medical issues, so it’s extremely important to get your teeth examined if you experience any dental emergency on this list!
Get Relief Today!
First and foremost, if you are in pain, we want to help you get some relief. Then we can address any underlying causes to solve the problem using dental best practices. If you believe you’re experiencing a dental emergency, give Sound Dental a call at 252.247.6704 as soon as possible. We’ll get you an appointment shortly, so you can go back to your life and leave tooth pain behind.
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