6 Signs That Indicate You Need Emergency Dental Care

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How can you tell if the minor soreness in your mouth is normal or a sign of dangerous dental disease? Although aches in your teeth may seem like a small issue initially, they can quickly develop into a severe problem if left untreated. That’s why it’s vital to know what’s an emergency and what’s not to prevent diseases that can wreak havoc on your teeth and to reduce your health care costs in the long run. 

Keep on reading to discover 6 signs you should visit an emergency dentist. 

1. Loose tooth

You should be alarmed if you experience a loose tooth in adulthood. When you reach adolescence, your teeth mature and become sturdy tools designed to last a lifetime. Looseness may occur due to severe periodontitis. Periodontitis can be caused by poor dental hygiene. If you neglect regularly brushing and flossing and avoid routine dental checkups, bacterial infection can damage your gums and the underlying jawbone that holds your teeth. This can potentially lead to a loose tooth. Other culprits of looseness in teeth include teeth grinding and tooth injury. Tooth injury can be extremely painful and may require emergency dental treatment. 

2. Bleeding gums

Minor bleeding can occur due to aggressive flossing or brushing, especially if you floss for the first time. However, if the bleeding is persistent and is often followed by severe pain it may be a symptom of gum disease. This oral infection requires urgent dental care to prevent irreversible damage like bone deterioration and tooth loss.  

3. A broken or chipped tooth

A minor chip or crack in your tooth may occur without any soreness or discomfort. However, if you’re suffering from extreme pain caused by a broken or severely chipped tooth, you should visit an emergency dentist immediately. To ease the pain before seeing a dentist, use over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. You can also rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling. Possible treatments for chipped or broken teeth include dental bonding, root canal, and crown or implant placement. 

4. Dental abscess

If you have an abscessed tooth, it’s best to see a dental specialist immediately. An abscessed tooth occurs due to bacterial infection and typically causes extreme pain that can travel to your ears or neck. A dental abscess can be caused by gum disease, cavities, and a piece of hard food, or a foreign body embedded in your gums. Your dentist may suggest a dental X-ray to determine if the infection has affected other areas of your body. Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment options may include tooth abscess drainage, root canal, and even tooth extraction. 

5. Canker sore that won’t heal

A canker sore is a painful mouth wound that can lead to redness and tingling sensation in your mouth. Canker sores typically aren’t dangerous and often resolve by themselves in a week or two. However, if your canker sore doesn’t heal you should seek urgent dental care. A persistent canker sore can lead to other symptoms including fatigue, fever, and cellulitis. In rare cases, a canker sore that won’t heal can be a symptom of a potentially fatal disease like cancer. 

6. Numb Tooth Your tooth can become numb due to an infection or an injury that has damaged its root or nerves. This problem requires immediate treatment as the affected tooth can potentially die, negatively affecting the neighboring teeth and your jawbone. Treatment options for dying or dead teeth include root canal procedure and extraction. While waiting for treatment, you can take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen to alleviate pain and inflammation.