Is It Really a Dental Emergency? 7 Signs You Could Need Attention ASAP
If you have a problem with your teeth or gums, you might be wondering if it’s safe to wait until normal business hours to get seen by a professional dentist. It can be difficult to know whether or not an issue requires emergency attention based on your symptoms.
While some issues such as extreme pain, uncontrollable bleeding, or a fever may be obvious enough that you need attention as soon as possible, other signs aren’t so subtle. Some people may not get medical attention soon enough to prevent bigger issues with their smile later on.
Don’t be caught off-guard in the event that you or a family member experiences a dental emergency. Here are seven signs you need to get to your dentist in Asheville as soon as possible!
- You Cracked or Chipped a Tooth
While you likely won’t need immediate medical care for a cracked or chipped tooth, you should ideally see your dentist as soon as possible. If your cracked tooth is severe–meaning it’s very painful, bleeding, or in fragments–getting in sooner rather than later is always a safe choice.
You should always call your Asheville dentist and let them know what happened. Based on your symptoms, and particularly if you have pain or sharp pieces leftover of your tooth, you may need to be seen that same day.
For some patients, cracks can start out small, then with repeated pressure on the teeth, extend down the tooth. Eventually, you could risk losing your tooth, or else need a root canal to repair the issue.
Don’t ignore a cracked or chipped tooth call your dentist and make sure you get it repaired promptly to prevent pain, sensitivity, and even an extraction.
2. You Have a Bad Toothache
If one of your teeth or one side of your mouth is very sensitive or painful, you need to see your dentist as soon as possible.
Toothaches almost always get worse without professional treatment. You could have a dental abscess, in which a painful infection is forming beneath your gumline as the result of deep tooth decay or an infection, or there could be another issue going on.
Regardless, a toothache isn’t something to ignore and hope it’ll go away on its own. Some could be the result of infections that could even be life-threatening. Before the pain becomes unbearable, schedule an appointment with your local dentist to get the problem addressed!
Other symptoms of a dental abscess could include a swollen jaw, a persistent bad taste in your mouth, or a fever. If you have any of these symptoms, time to go to the dentist!
3. You Were in an Accident That Affected Your Jaw
If you were in an accident that impacted your face or jaw, it’s always smart to get checked up by your dentist. Sometimes an injury can impact our teeth in jaws and ways that aren’t apparent immediately after the accident.
Whether you experienced a fall, a sports-related injury, or a car accident, it’s a good idea to get your smile checked out to ensure your teeth, jaw, and gums are safe from injury and won’t cause issues later on.
For some patients, an injury could cause a dislocated or broken jaw, knocked-out teeth, or cuts to the soft tissue of the oral cavity that will require emergency attention.
4. Your Tooth Is Loose or Has Been Knocked Out
As adults, loose teeth are a thing of the past. If you have a loose tooth now as the result of an accident or infection, it’s time to see your dentist. In the event that your tooth has actually been knocked out, take your tooth and any pieces with you to your dentist in water, saliva, or milk.
Getting to the dentist in a timely manner can ensure that your tooth has a better chance of being saved! Whether or not your loose tooth is painful, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. A loose tooth could even be a sign of gum disease!
5. Bleeding or Sores in Your Oral Cavity
Any uncontrollable or unexplained bleeding in your mouth should always be evaluated by a professional dentist.
Bleeding could be a sign of gum disease, or it could be indicative of a more serious problem. In addition, you should also see your dentist if you have any unexplained sores, lumps, or lesions in your oral cavity.
These could be benign, such as a canker sore, or they could be early signs of oral cancer, which your dentist in Asheville can help identify and refer you to a specialist for an official diagnosis. Never ignore these signs that something is wrong!
6. A Broken or Missing Dental Restoration
Generally, dental restorations that break or fall out aren’t an emergency. However, if your dental restoration issue is accompanied by pain, bleeding, swelling, or other signs of an infection, call your dentist as soon as you’re able.
Dental restorations that can fall out or break include fillings, bridges, crowns, dentures, and even orthodontic appliances. If you have questions about whether or not you need to be seen promptly, don’t hesitate to call your Asheville dentist!
7. Complications of Wisdom Tooth Removal
Although most cases of wisdom tooth removal heal without any complications, some people experience signs of a potential infection or another problem following their procedure.
These signs could include:
- Pain that isn’t relieved by the recommended medication
- Pain that gets worse in the hours or days following the procedure
- Swelling that gets worse or doesn’t go away
- Fever
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Visible white or yellow discharge
If you see any of these signs, it’s time to talk to your dentist and get in to see them as soon as possible to get the issue addressed!
We’re Here for You at Saunders DDS!
Most dental emergencies can be avoided with regular checkups however, some are unexpected and can’t be fixed by waiting it out or even preventative care.
At Saunders DDS, we’re here to assist with you with all types of dental emergencies in the Asheville area. Reach out to us to let us know what’s going on our team can usually see you that same day so you don’t have to wait in the emergency room for a problem that should be treated by a dentist!
Call us at (828) 277-6060 or request an appointment through our contact form today!