You have some kind of ache or pain in your mouth. Is this something that you can wait to talk to your dentist about until your next appointment? Or, is this an emergency and you need to call your dentist right away?
Whether you have a dental emergency or a run of the mill dental issue can sometimes be very hard to tell.
Mouth and toothaches come in all different shapes and sizes. Knowing whether or not your ache qualifies as a dental emergency can save you a lot of money in the long run.
So, how do you know if you have a dental emergency?
Read on to learn the top 5 signs you have a dental emergency.
1. You Have Aching and Bleeding Gums
Many people see a bit of bleeding in their gums after flossing their teeth. While this definitely doesn't qualify as 'normal', as it could indicate gingivitis, light amounts of bleeding are not considered a dental emergency.
And, gingivitis can sometimes easily be cure dat home with regular brushing and flossing.
However, if the bleeding and the aching is excessive, you may need to make an emergency trip to the dentist. This is because excessive aching, bleeding, and swelling could be a sign that there are bacteria built up around your gums.
When bacteria makes its way into your dental pulp, it could lead to an infection that makes its way all the way down to the roots of your teeth.
If this isn't treated in a timely manner, it could lead to a tooth abscess (a pocket of pus that forms at the root of your tooth).
2. You Have a Loose Tooth
Of course, having a loose tooth as a child is a completely normal occurrence.
However, as an adult, you should never experience teeth that are wiggly or loose. There are a few reasons why you may have a loose tooth as an adult.
For one, a loose tooth could indicate some type of dental injury. Maybe you were hit while playing a sport or you bumped your mouth during a car accident. Whatever the reason, loose teeth as an adult can be extremely painful, which is why you will need to make an emergency visit to the dentist.
Plus, loose teeth can sometimes indicate further problems, such as nerve damage or jaw damage. So even if your pain is manageable, a loose tooth still warrants an emergency visit to the dentist.
Loose teeth may also indicate that you have some type of oral infection. Most commonly, loose teeth are a sign of dental caries or
gum disease
. The only way to determine the cause of the infection is to schedule an emergency dental visit.
During the visit, your dentist will take X-rays and perform an oral exam to figure out what's causing the loose tooth.
3. Your Mouth Tastes Like Metal
No, a mouth that tastes like metal is not a sign that you ate some really bad food for lunch.
A mouth that tastes like metal actually indicates that one of the old fillings in your mouth has cracked and loosened.
Seeking emergency dental care in this situation is very important, as an open filling could quickly lead to further cavities and infections. Or worse, it could even lead to a
root canal
.
When you see an emergency dentist, they will provide you with a new filling and clear up any bacteria left behind from the filling getting loose.
4. Your Jaw is Painful and Swollen
Are you experiencing pain and swelling in your jaw? Are you having trouble biting into your food? Or, do you experience a popping sensation when you chew your food?
If you said yes to any of these questions, you are likely experiencing a dental emergency.
If you are having issues with eating, you are likely experiencing an inflamed temporomandibular joint,
also known as TMJ
. While TMJ is the abbreviation for the joint, TMD is actually the name of the syndrome.
TMD can be caused by a number of reasons, such as injury, teeth grinding, or misaligned jaws. An emergency dentist can help figure out the cause of your TMD as well as treatment options.
If you are experiencing pain and swelling in your jaw that is accompanied by a fever, trouble breathing, or a bad taste in your mouth, then you may have a salivary gland infection.
Salivary gland infections occur when there is a blockage from bacteria in your salivary glands. While this is an uncommon infection, it is still smart to visit an emergency dentist to figure out why your jaw is in pain.
5. Broken or Chipped Tooth
If you have a broken or chipped tooth, it's not just a funny-looking smile you have to worry about.
A tooth that is broken or chipped can be extremely painful, and if left untreated, it can quickly lead to an infection. Plus, if the break was severe enough, there may not just be damage to the tooth, but to the inner tissue as well.
And, a broken tooth as a child can also impact the look and health of adult teeth. So if your child has broken one of their teeth, make sure you take them to see a dentist immediately.
Plus, broken and chipped teeth can be replaced, so you'll want to get your smile looking as good as new as soon as possible.
Do You Have a Dental Emergency on Your Hands?
As you can see, there are many different signs of a dental emergency.
If you think you may have a dental emergency on your hands, please do not hesitate to
get in contact with us immediately. We often have same-day appointments available, so please call our office so we can help you get back your healthy smile as soon as possible.
