6 Symptoms That Qualify for a Visit to an Emergency Dentist

Dental emergencies can occur at any time. When you experience one during regular office hours, you can make an appointment with your dentist. But what happens when you have a dental emergency when on holiday, over the weekend, or even in the middle of the night? For dental emergencies outside office hours, you’ll need an emergency dentist.

How do you know you have a dental emergency?

It’s essential to understand the difference between a typical dental issue that can be dealt with later and a dental emergency that threatens your overall health.

Below are some symptoms that qualify for a visit to an emergency dentist.

1. Severe and constant toothache

   Toothaches can be caused by various dental problems, including tooth decay, dental abscess, exposed roots, infected gums, or having something stuck between your teeth.

   When you start having a toothache, and it progresses to intense, excruciating pain, it’s crucial to immediately see an emergency dentist to establish the pain’s root cause.

2. Broken and chipped teeth

   A broken or chipped tooth may result from an accident, prolonged teeth grinding, or biting down on hard objects. If the chipped part of the tooth is small, you can wait for your next dental appointment. However, if the tooth is severely broken and you experience immense pain, you need to visit an emergency dentist.

   Your dentist might be able to reattach the chipped part of your tooth, but you will need to preserve it in a glass of milk or water. If your dentist is unable to reattach the broken section, they can restore the tooth using a bond, veneer, or crown.

3. Loose or knocked-out teeth

   Loose teeth can arise from dental injuries that may have resulted from a blow or a fall. They can also be a sign of jaw or nerve damage, an oral infection, gum disease, or dental caries.

   Loose teeth can be extremely painful in adults. But even if the pain is manageable, it is crucial to visit an emergency dentist so that they can determine the cause of your loose tooth.

   If you have a loose tooth, try and keep it in its socket to prevent it from falling out. You can do this by gently biting down on the tooth.

   If you have a knocked-out tooth, locate the missing tooth. Once found, ensure that you only handle the tooth by the crown. Don’t touch the root. To preserve the tooth, you can try and place it back in its socket, put it between your gum and cheek, or place it in a glass of water or milk.

4. Bleeding gums

   Bleeding gums can result from brushing your teeth too vigorously or from wearing ill-fitting dentures. Recurring, painful, and excessive bleeding gums can result from more serious oral conditions, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, leukemia, or vitamin C and K deficiency.

   If your gums are bleeding excessively and are extremely painful, schedule an emergency visit to your dentist because this may be a sign of bacteria buildup around your gums.

5. Soft tissue injuries

   Lacerations, cuts, or injuries on your lips, tongue, inside your cheeks, and gums require immediate medical attention by your dentist.

   For first aid, rinse the affected area with warm water and apply pressure to minimize bleeding.

6. Swollen jaw

   For a swollen jaw accompanied by immense pain, trouble breathing and swallowing, fever, and a bad taste in the mouth, you need to have an emergency trip to the dentist since this may be a symptom of an infected salivary gland.

Are you looking for an emergency dentist in Slidell?

At Fremaux Dental Care, our experienced emergency dentist offers a collection of dental services to help establish the root cause of your dental problems, relieve pain and restore the functionality of your teeth.

Visit our website or call us today to schedule an appointment. Let us help you preserve your oral health.