7 Signs That You Should See an Emergency Dentist

7 Signs That You Should See an Emergency Dentist

Jun 01, 2022

Most people will experience a dental emergency at some point in their lifetime. Unfortunately, some people only look for a temporary solution or do nothing about the issue at all. However, ignoring or delaying treatment will only worsen your symptoms and risk your oral health, causing the necessity for more costly and complex treatments.

Seeking immediate dental care when faced with a dental emergency will help address the underlying condition and relieve any discomfort. So, what is a dental emergency? An oral emergency is any situation that involves severe pain, bleeding, trauma, and any complications that can negatively impact your health.

When to See an Emergency Dentist

Contact your dentist or visit an emergency dental clinic near you if you experience:

  • Severe bleeding 

Bleeding in your mouth isn’t normal unless you’ve undergone a tooth extraction or dental surgical procedure. Still, if bleeding after a dental procedure worsens or persists, it could indicate a complication like an infection, dry socket, and nerve damage. Emergency dental care is necessary to resolve this problem.

Similarly, if you notice that your gums bleed when brushing, flossing, and eating, it could signify gum disease. Treating gum disease on time is of utmost importance to prevent the condition from progressing to irreversible stages.

  • Loosened and knocked-out tooth 

If you knock out your tooth, preserve it in a glass of milk as you wait for help. A sudden tooth loss isn’t just painful but can lead to complications like severe bleeding, dry socket, or infections.

  • Severe swelling 

Call your dentist immediately if you had an oral procedure recently and the swelling hasn’t improved or has worsened. Swelling is often a sign of infection. Similarly, swollen or sore gums can signify periodontal disease.

Unfortunately, untreated infections can be life-threatening. For instance, an infection can enter the bloodstream and cause complications like sepsis, pneumonia, heart conditions, and diabetes. Swelling can happen in the face, gums, jaw, cheek, tongue, or lymph nodes.

  • Severe oral pain 

Severe oral pain or discomfort should prompt you to see an emergency dentist immediately. Oral pain can happen in your jaw, teeth, gums, throat, neck, or ear. Your dentist will inspect and take x-rays of your mouth to determine the underlying condition.
Oral pain can be a sign of tooth decay, gum disease, oral trauma, or even oral cancer. Oral pain is also common after an oral procedure. However, if it won’t respond to painkillers, it means something is wrong, and you should seek immediate dental care.

  • Cracked or broken tooth 

A cracked or broken tooth can have exposed or damaged nerves, leading to severe pain or sensitivity. Dental damage can expose your tooth’s pulp, leading to tooth decay and tooth loss. If the tooth has sharp edges, it can hurt cheeks, gums, or tongue.

  • A bad taste in the mouth 

Unexplained bad breath is often a sign of serious infections and conditions like periodontal disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. Similarly, you may experience a metallic taste from an old filling that has cracked or loosened. See an emergency dentist to identify the cause of your bad breath. Your dentist will create a treatment plan to resolve it and restore your fresh breath.

  • Dental abscess 

An abscess is a painful pus-filled pimple, usually found at the root of a tooth. An abscess is often a sign of infection, and immediate treatment is necessary. Other symptoms of tooth abscesses include fever, bad taste, and swollen glands. Mainly, an abscess results from untreated tooth decay, oral trauma, or severe gum disease. You may need surgery to drain and treat the abscesses in most cases.

Schedule an Appointment Today

To speak with an emergency dentist in Plymouth, NH, contact Dental Arts of Plymouth for more information.

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