8 Signs You Need Emergency Dental Services

Dental emergencies can lead to pain and discomfort, swelling, and even more significant problems down the road if you do not take care of the issue immediately. Understanding the difference between a dental issue that can wait until your next dental visit and an emergency issue that can threaten your health is important. Read on the learn about what you should know about dental emergencies and how to recognize you’re having one.

What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any dental problems that need immediate fixing to alleviate severe pain, stop bleeding, or to save a tooth. This also applies to dental infections that can be life threatening.

Common Dental Emergencies & The Signs to Look For

Most dental emergencies can be characterized by pain and bleeding. However, not all toothaches are considered an emergency. Below are dental issues and signs that you have a dental emergency:

1. You have a loose or knocked-out tooth

You need to see your dentist right away if your teeth are loose, wiggly, or have been knocked out of your mouth. Having a loose or knocked out tooth can cause a localized infection, such as gum disease or dental caries, or a tooth injury, usually caused by heavy impact. In taking quick action, you dentist can reinsert your tooth and preserve it, or identify the problem and provide treatment.

If you have a knocked-out tooth, follow the following steps:

• Pick up the tooth carefully and do not touch the root
• Rinse it, do not scrub!
• If possible, reinsert it into its socket
• If you can’t reinsert it, place it in a container of water or milk
• Visit your dentist ASAP to increase your chances of saving the tooth

2. You have a severe toothache

You should never ignore a toothache or discomfort in your mouth. That is your body’s way of telling you that there is something wrong! If you experience sudden tooth pain, or the severity of the pain has increased, visit Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville emergency dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

3. Your gums ache, grow to be swollen, or bleed

Having occasional gum irritation is not a cause for concern. However, gums that have excessive or reoccurring bleeding can indicate there is a bigger issue going on, especially if it is accompanied by swelling and pain. Please note that these symptoms can reach a point of no return if left untreated, especially if caused by gum disease. Do not wait to see us if you are experiencing these symptoms!!

4. Your mouth or jaw is swollen

If you suddenly experience your jaw or mouth become swollen for no apparent reason, then we recommend visiting us for immediate treatment. these symptoms can indicate a serious infection, lymph node irritation, or an underlying issue that a dental professional needs to attend to immediately.

5. You are noticing signs of an abscessed tooth

An abscessed tooth is a painful, severe, and could be a life-threatening infection that is found at the root of the infected tooth. This caused from severe gum disease, untreated cavities, or any trauma to the teeth, like a cracked or chipped tooth. Symptoms include:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Foul taste in your mouth
• Fever
• Persistent toothache
• Swollen face
• Pimple-like bumps on your gums
• Tender lymph nodes on your neck

An abscessed tooth, if not treated in a timely manner, can spread beyond the mouth and cause issues in other areas of the body. Please contact us immediately if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of an abscessed tooth.

6. Your dental filling is missing, or all your tasting is metal

If you have had a metal filling in the past and your mouth suddenly starts to taste like metal, chances are your old filling might be cracked or coming loose. A missing filling is a potential emergency because your tooth can break easily due to the lack of reinforcement provided by the dental filling. Your tooth’s nerves could also be exposed, which can lead to several other dental issues.

7. An object/food is lodged between your teeth

If an object or food becomes lodged in between your teeth and brushing and flossing doesn’t remove it, you need to see your ADOC dentist immediately. Failure to remove the object can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, gum irritation, crooked teeth, or an infection.

8. Your dental crown falls off or breaks

You need to immediately see your dentist if your dental crown breaks or completely falls off. This is because your tooth will be exposed and susceptible to an infection and damage. An emergency dental visit to replace your crown will help you to avoid the need for an extraction, root canal, or other dental procedure to preserve your oral health.

Although good oral hygiene practices can help keep some dental problems from evolving, dental emergencies still happen! That’s why we offer emergency dental services to get your oral health back on track. Contact us at 610-489-5555 as soon as you are experiencing any of the dental emergencies listed above.