A regular dentist visit is essential for maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth. It gives the dentist a chance to check your mouth and treat underlying dental issues in their early stages of development. Usually, everyone must visit a dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings at least at an interval every six months.
However, some situations may arise where you can’t wait until annual dental check-ups but need immediate attention. For example, you may have oral issues that require instant professional help. Dental emergencies are not jokes. Dental pain or gum infection may affect your overall health and well-being if you don’t get fast and effective solutions.
In this blog article, we will discuss the symptoms that can be classified as dental emergencies, and if you experience any of them, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Chipped, Cracked or a Lose Tooth
Dental emergencies can vary in severity, but some of the most common ones are chipped or broken teeth. In these cases, it’s important to seek dental care as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to ensure the best possible outcome.
When a tooth is chipped or broken, the enamel and dentin can become lodged in the gums or tongue which can cause discomfort and lead to infection. If your tooth has been knocked out completely, rinse it gently with water and place it back in the socket if you can. If you can’t place the tooth back in your mouth, store it in a container of milk or saliva. Then seek dental care immediately.
If you have a broken tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and put a cold compress on your face where the tooth is broken. Then, go to the dentist as soon as possible.
Pus in your mouth
If you notice pus in your mouth, you likely have a dental emergency. Pus is generally a sign of infection; if left untreated, the infection could spread and cause further damage. It may result in serious health problems.
There are many possible causes of a pus-filled mouth, but the most common is an infection in the gums or teeth. Other causes can include abscesses, cavities, and oral cancer. Regardless, it’s crucial to seek medical help immediately to prevent the infection from spreading and causing further damage.
If you experience any symptoms, please seek dental care immediately:
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Redness around the gums
- Fever
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
Dental emergencies often require immediate treatment to prevent further damage to the teeth and gums. However, swelling and pain are common symptoms of a dental emergency, so if you’re experiencing either, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately.
Consistent Bad Breath
There could be several reasons you have bad breath, but if it’s persistent and there doesn’t seem to be any other explanation, you should visit your dentist. It could signify a dental emergency like tooth decay, abscesses, gum disease or oral infection.
Bad breath can also be caused by other factors, such as the dry mouth and sinus infections. So, it’s essential to get checked by a dentist Highett to determine the cause of your bad breath and to get appropriate treatment.
If you leave your bad breath issue untreated, these conditions can lead to more severe health problems. So please don’t put off seeing the dentist just because you’re worried about your breath – it’s much better to address the problem head-on.
And remember, dentists, are used to dealing with all sorts of embarrassing situations. So don’t be embarrassed – be honest and tell them what’s happening. They’ll help you get on the road to recovery in no time.
Sharp Toothache
If you have an extreme toothache, it’s best to go to the dentist immediately. A toothache is often a sign of a dental emergency, such as an infection or a cracked tooth.
The sooner you get treatment for a dental emergency, there will be less damage to your teeth. Infections can spread and cause more severe problems, and a cracked tooth may start to bleed or become abscessed.
Dental emergencies can be very painful and must be treated as soon as possible. Here are a few things you can do to control pain before visiting a dentist:
-
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help ease the pain.
-
Take over-the-counter medicine to reduce inflammation and pain.
-
See a dentist as soon as possible.
Dental emergencies can often be treated with a root canal, filling, or crown. In some cases, you may need a tooth extraction. So, if you’re experiencing an extreme toothache, you should see a dentist immediately.
Gum Aches and Bleeding
Gums can ache and bleed for several reasons, including bacteria build-up, gum disease, and teeth grinding. If you are experiencing gum pain and bleeding, you must visit your dentist as soon as possible to determine the cause and receive treatment. If you don’t seek treatment, gingivitis can worsen, damaging the tissues and bones that support your teeth.
Gums aching and bleeding can also signify something serious such as advanced gum disease. So, never ignore it.
In the meantime, here are some essential tips to help reduce pain and inflammation:
-
Rinse your mouth with warm water several times a day.
-
Apply ice packs to the swollen areas.
-
Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
A Constant Bad Taste in Your Mouth
If you experience a constant bad taste in your mouth, it could be a sign of a dental emergency. See your dentist to get the problem diagnosed and treated.
Some common causes of bad taste in the mouth are tooth decay, gum disease, and abscessed teeth. Other causes can include sinus infections, dry mouth, and certain foods.
Tartar build-up on the teeth can also cause a bad taste, as can certain medications and medical conditions. Brushing and flossing your teeth can help reduce the likelihood of developing dental problems that might cause a bad taste in your mouth.
If the taste doesn’t go away in a few days or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like fever or body aches, it’s best to see a doctor as it could be a sign of a medical condition, not a dental one.
If the Filling or Dental Crown Has Fallen Off
If your filling or dental crown has fallen off, you want to replace it as soon as possible. It is because the exposed tooth can become infected, and the infection can spread to other teeth.
You will need to see a dentist to replace the filling or dental crown. The dentist will likely put a temporary filling in until they can make a new dental crown or filling.
Seek Immediate Dental Care
A dentist in an emergency will likely try to save the tooth. For example, they may try to put the tooth back in place if it is knocked out. If there is a lot of bleeding, they may try to stop it.
If there is a fracture, they may try to fix it. And if there is a lost filling or crown, they will likely replace it.
At Studio Smiles, we do our best to help you when you need us the most. We offer fixed prices for all dental emergency services. So, call us to get dental emergency dental care solutions on the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are a few early signs of dental trouble. If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to see a dentist as soon as possible:
- Pain when chewing or biting down
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Bleeding gums
- Swelling in the jaw
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away no matter how much you brush your teeth
Dental troubles can be caused by several things, including tooth decay (the most common cause), gum disease, abscessed teeth, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). If you leave them untreated, these problems can lead to more severe health issues like infections and heart disease. That’s why it’s essential to seek treatment for any signs of dental trouble as soon as possible.
A dental emergency is an unexpected event that requires immediate attention from a dentist. Some common dental emergencies include:
-
Toothache – A toothache is one of the most common dental emergencies. It can be caused by several things, such as cavities, gum disease, or a cracked tooth.
-
A broken tooth – Rinse your mouth with warm water and use gauze to stop bleeding. Put cold packs on the area to reduce swelling. Visit your nearest dentist to get immediate care.
-
Dental abscess – A dental abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms in the teeth or gums. A bacterial infection often causes it.
-
Lost tooth – If you lose a tooth, try to find and save it. Rinse it off with water if it’s dirty and place it in a cup of milk or saliva. If you can’t find the tooth, go to the dentist as soon as possible. Without a tooth in its place, the surrounding teeth can shift and cause problems with your bite.
-
Knocked-out tooth – If a tooth has been knocked out, rinse it off with water if it’s dirty and store it in a cup of milk or saliva. If you can’t find the tooth, go to the dentist as soon as possible.
It can, but it depends on the severity of the infection. For example, a tooth infection that is mild and not causing pain may not require urgent treatment. However, a tooth infection that is severe and causing pain should be treated as soon as possible.
If you are experiencing any symptoms, you should see a dentist right away:
- Throbbing pain
- Swelling on the gums
- Fever
- Headache
- bad breath or sore throat
These symptoms could indicate a severe infection that requires urgent treatment.
In an emergency, a dentist will do everything they can to save the tooth. They will help you relieve pain and attempt to fix the problem. It may include pulling the tooth if it is loose or damaged beyond repair.
If a tooth is knocked out, the dentist will try to put it back in place. If that’s not possible, they will clean and sterilise the tooth and put it in a container of milk or saliva until you can get to the office.
If there is a lot of bleeding, they will try to stop it. Then, they will fix the fracturing issue, and if there is a lost filling or crown, they will likely replace it.
However, if the problem is too severe, they may refer you to a specialist.
If you experience a dental emergency, please call your dentist immediately. The dentist can usually see you that same day or the next day. Treatment will depend on the specific situation but may include anything from a simple cleaning to a root canal.
If your tooth infection has spread, you will likely experience one or more of the following symptoms:
-
A generalised feeling of sickness or malaise
-
Fever
-
Pain that is not localised to the tooth. Instead, is felt in the jaw, temple, or ear on the same side of the head as the infected tooth
-
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
-
Difficulty opening your mouth wide enough to eat or speak comfortably
-
Redness and soreness in the gums near the infected tooth
However, the most common symptom of an infection spreading to the jawbone is a pain in the area. But not all cases of pain are due to an infection spreading. Other causes of pain can include a tooth abscess, a sinus infection, TMJ disorder, and oral herpes.
If you are experiencing severe pain in your jaw, it is best to visit your dentist to determine the cause and to receive treatment if necessary. Additional symptoms of an infection spreading to the jawbone can include:
- Swelling and redness in the area.
- Bad breath.
- A metallic taste in your mouth.
- Difficulty opening your mouth wide.
