Life doesn’t always go as planned. This is especially true when it comes to medical emergencies. It would be ideal if something happened to you during normal business hours, but that is not always the case.
This applies to possible dental emergencies as well. It’s never fun when a toothache crops up in the middle of the night. Or maybe your child had a tooth knocked out while playing sports over the weekend.
It’s not always easy to tell when something is an emergency. Should you wait it out until your dentist’s office opens or do you need to call the dentist now? In general, if you are experiencing severe pain, bleeding, swelling, or other symptoms that are causing you significant discomfort or affecting your ability to eat, drink, or speak, you should seek emergency dental care. Here are some common situations that require emergency treatment.
Broken or Knocked-Out Tooth
This is one of the most common dental situations. Maybe you ate something hard and broke a tooth. Or perhaps a tooth got knocked out while playing sports. If you have broken or knocked out a tooth due to trauma, seek emergency dental care immediately. If you have a broken tooth, use warm water to rinse out your mouth and apply a cold compress for swelling until you can get to the dentist. If the tooth is knocked out, try to place it back in the socket, if possible. However, do not touch it by the root.
Severe Toothache
A severe toothache could be a sign of a cavity or abscess. If it is accompanied by swelling or fever, then it could be an infection. Rinse out your mouth with warm salt water. If the pain does not subside with over-the-counter pain medication, call your dentist right away.
Jaw Pain or Swelling
If you were not hit in the jaw, then sudden pain or swelling can be a sign of an infection or even cancer (although this is rare).
Gum Pain and Bleeding
Excessive bleeding from the gums can be a serious dental issue, especially if it is accompanied by pain. This could be a sign of gingivitis or periodontal disease. If the gums are swollen and there is pus, that could mean an infection.
Oral Bleeding
Bleeding from the mouth, especially if it is persistent or severe, should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible. This is especially true if there are severe cuts to the tongue or gums due to eating or an injury.
Contact Us Today
Dental emergencies can be painful and frightening, and they require the urgent care of a dental professional. Knowing your dental provider is available when you need them the most can relieve the stress that accompanies dental emergencies.
Suncreek Dental Group offers a 24-hour hotline allowing for convenient access to our dentists for urgent care. You can trust us to restore your oral health quickly so that you can move on with life. Contact the team at Suncreek Dental Group today at (303) 933-2522 to schedule an appointment.
Category: Restoration