12 September, 2022<\/p>\n<\/div>
When someone considers a dental visit, it most likely involves a scheduled appointment for a specific reason\u2014for example, getting a professional cleaning with your hygienist, a restorative\/cosmetic procedure or even a simple consultation for a brighter smile.<\/p>\n
What happens, though, when you\u2019re in a situation where one or more symptoms are severe or even unbearable? Then you may be dealing with a dental emergency.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Dental emergencies<\/a>\u00a0describe all potentially life-threatening situations where immediate professional assistance is required.<\/p>\n So when dealing with an emergency, a dental professional should examine you as soon as possible and take the necessary actions to relieve your symptoms and offer treatment options.<\/p>\n Even though it\u2019s not always the case, pain and bleeding are usually the most common symptoms that are recorded in dental emergencies.<\/p>\n However, even these symptoms should not always be treated urgently, and patients can simply make an appointment with their regular dentist at a suitable time.<\/p>\n So let\u2019s discuss some details to understand more about the\u00a0symptoms<\/a>\u00a0that should make someone seek a doctor\u2019s help immediately.<\/p>\n<\/div> If you\u2019re experiencing constant and severe pain and can\u2019t complete basic activities (like sleep, eat, drink or even concentrate), then call your dentist for advice promptly.<\/p>\n Toothache, especially acute, is associated with numerous causes that require a treatment plan. For example, you might be facing a severe infection on your teeth or gums, fractures and damage to your teeth or even a complication of a previous dental treatment.<\/p>\n Visiting your doctor as soon as possible for immediate pain relief and proper diagnosis is also crucial for your oral health.<\/p>\n Observing bleeding in your mouth after brushing or flossing your teeth is not considered a dental emergency. This is probably associated with gum disease, which is essential not to leave it untreated but not life-threatening. So you can safely wait a couple of days and schedule an appointment to visit your dentist and get the proper care you need.<\/p>\n However, if you\u2019re experiencing uncontrollable, extreme bleeding from trauma or dental injury, call for advice as soon as possible.\u00a0Emergency treatment is possibly required, especially when combined with other symptoms, like pain, swelling or dizziness.<\/p>\n Swelling can be detected in different places like your face, cheeks or inside your mouth, on your gums and surrounding tissues.<\/p>\n Minor swelling on your gums that feels a little uncomfortable can be treated in a regular dental appointment. Just make sure you won\u2019t neglect it.<\/p>\n When intense swelling is present, we usually deal with a more severe infection that requires medical assistance.\u00a0Especially if you\u2019re experiencing severe pain, having a fever, difficulty opening your mouth or even trouble breathing, you should seek emergency dental advice and care.<\/p>\n Now that we have analysed some of the most common symptoms, it\u2019s time to dive into the actual conditions that can be severe and require urgent dental care. So, what is actually considered a dental emergency?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> A dental abscess<\/a> happens when severe infection is present, and pus (a thick fluid caused by bacteria) is build-up in the teeth or gums. Some of its symptoms include severe pain, fever, and swelling.<\/p>\n \u2713 If you believe you\u2019re dealing with a dental abscess, call your doctor or an emergency dental clinic to help you, as this is an absolute emergency.<\/p>\n Also, getting some over-the-counter painkillers and avoiding hot and cold foods and drinks can help ease some of your symptoms, but please don\u2019t try to treat a dental abscess at home.<\/p>\n A broken tooth can happen to anyone after biting something hard or by an accident or injury during an activity. Visiting your dentist to restore the issue is the only way to repair a broken tooth. However, this is not always an emergency.<\/p>\n \u2715 Restoring a chipped tooth or a tooth with a minor break when it\u2019s not associated with pain is not an emergency. Book an appointment with your dentist to take a look and offer proper treatment.<\/p>\n \u2713 However, when a larger piece is missing, it usually involves severe pain. In this case, finding proper medical care soon to treat your broken tooth is extremely important.<\/p>\n An avulsed tooth<\/a> (knocked-out tooth) happens when you lose your entire permanent tooth, usually after an injury or an accident.<\/p>\n \u2713 If your tooth is completely knocked-out, please don\u2019t waste your time, as this is a true emergency.<\/p>\n Finding a dentist as soon as possible (within the first 30-60 minutes) will enhance your chances of saving your tooth.<\/p>\n Try to put your tooth back in and support it with your teeth or fingers without touching the root but only the crown (the top of the tooth). If it needs cleaning, use only water to wash out any dirt and try to put it back. If you can\u2019t, put it in a container with milk to take it to your dentist.<\/p>\n If one of your wisdom teeth has started erupting, you might be experiencing discomfort, sensitivity in the area or other related symptoms.<\/p>\n \u2715 Having your wisdom tooth evaluated by your dentist without having severe symptoms is essential but not an emergency. Instead, book a regular check-up, and your doctor will do the rest.<\/p>\n \u2713 However, if you\u2019re having extreme pain, swelling in the surrounding area, difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing and other symptoms that indicate an infection (like feeling sick or having a fever), call your dental team.<\/p>\n An infection associated with your wisdom tooth is considered an emergency. Your doctor will give you instructions to relieve your symptoms and see you in the office as soon as possible.<\/p>\n After the evaluation, if an extraction is needed, it will be booked in another appointment.<\/p>\n So don\u2019t worry or get anxious about an emergency wisdom tooth removal. Your infection should be treated first, and a few other examinations must be performed before we proceed with an extraction.<\/p>\n If your dentist used a restoration treatment in the past to improve your smile and health and something is not feeling right, don\u2019t panic!<\/p>\n \u2715 A loosened, broken or lost dental restoration like a crown, veneer, or filling is not always a dental emergency that needs fixing right away, especially when their placement was purely for cosmetic reasons.<\/p>\n Of course, you should schedule your dental appointment soon so your doctor can take a look and proceed with the appropriate treatment, avoiding further complications.<\/p>\n \u2713 However, if your restoration was placed to protect your teeth, and you lose or break your veneer, filling or crown, you should find a dental professional as soon as possible. With a damaged or lost restoration, you leave your tooth exposed to bacteria and in danger of infection.<\/p>\n Also, don\u2019t neglect to call an emergency dentist if your dental restoration has remaining sharp edges after it\u2019s broken. In this situation, you should find medical assistance so you don\u2019t cut your tongue or cheeks by accident.<\/p>\n \u2715 Generally, gum disease is not considered a dental emergency as it\u2019s a chronic condition that takes time to progress.<\/p>\n \u2713 However, if gum disease has progressed because it is left untreated for a long time, the symptoms are more severe and might need immediate dental care.<\/p>\nDental Emergencies: Symptoms and Possible Causes<\/h2><\/div>
Severe Pain<\/h3>\n
Extreme Bleeding<\/h3>\n
Intense Swelling<\/h3>\n
Most Common Dental Emergency Conditions<\/h2><\/div>
Dental Abscess<\/h3>\n
Chipped or Broken Tooth<\/h3>\n
Knocked-Out Tooth<\/h3>\n
Wisdom Tooth and Complications<\/h3>\n
Loose, Broken or Lost Restorations<\/h3>\n
Gum Disease<\/h3>\n