Dental emergencies cannot always be prevented and they can be hard to deal with if you are unprepared. Not every dental issue requires emergency services. Still, it is important to understand the difference between a normal dental problem that can wait until morning, and a real emergency that could put your health at risk. Here’s what you should know about spotting dental emergencies that needs immediate attention.
1. Dental Displacement
Any facial impact that causes a tooth to loosen or fall out requires immediate emergency dental care. When a tooth becomes loose, it is important to keep the tooth in its socket to prevent it from falling out. This can be achieved by gently biting the teeth to hold them in place. If a tooth has been knocked out, it is important to find the missing tooth. Once the missing tooth is found, it can only be accessed and rinsed with the crown. You can salvage a missing tooth by following these steps:
1. Pick up the tooth by the crown. Be gentle.
2. Remove debris and dirt with cold water.
3. Adults can put the tooth back into the socket.
4. If it’s not possible to return to the tooth to position, put your tooth in a glass or bag of milk.
5. Visit our Corona, CA office today.
2. Unexplainable Toothaches
A toothache can be a sign of many dental problems. It is crucial that the dental pain cause be determined to be treated accordingly. Two common causes of toothache are pulp infection and something stuck between two teeth. Visiting an emergency dentist is especially important when a toothache occurs suddenly, gets progressively worse, or is severe. Meanwhile, cold compresses can help relieve some discomfort or try flossing to see if any food debris is irritating your gums.
3. Tooth Fractures
Tooth fractures can commonly happen when teeth are used for purposes other than biting and chewing, you bite hard objects, or as a result of accidents. People who grind or clench their teeth are also more likely to have chipped or cracked teeth. If your tooth is chipped or chipped, you need to see an emergency dentist. Any tooth debris should be rinsed off, kept in a glass of milk or water, and taken to an emergency dentist as soon as possible to avoid injections or other complications.
4. Dental Infections
Mouth abscesses or serious infections can be life-threatening and should not wait for treatment. A dental abscess is a serious condition in which a pocket of pus in a tooth becomes infected. Dental abscesses can cause:
- Fever
- Sensitivity to heat and cold
- Persistent toothache
- Neck lymph node compression pain
- Facial swelling
- Pimple-like bumps on the gums near the infected tooth
This condition is an emergency because the infection can spread to your jaw, surrounding tissue, and other parts of your body.
5. Swollen Or Bleeding Gums, Mouth, Or Jaw
While occasional gum irritation is not a dental emergency, bleeding gums, especially when accompanied by pain and swelling, may indicate an underlying dental or health problem. Bleeding gums for no apparent reason is not normal. If you have these symptoms, see your dentist right away. In the same way, if your mouth or jaw suddenly swells for no apparent reason, it’s time to see an emergency dentist and get treatment right away. You may have an infection, irritated lymph nodes, or other factors that should be treated by professional dental care right away.
With over 17 years of experience, Renschler and Rhee Dentistry helps patients in Corona and surrounding communities through dental emergencies. We provide a wide range of restorative treatments to resolve fractured, displaced, and infected teeth including dental crowns, and all-on-four implants. We understand that emergencies can be terrifying but Dr. Rhee is committed to making the process comfortable and painless by providing a good experience for dental-phobic patients. Call our team today at 951-735-2608 to make an appointment.