Identifying a dental issue that requires immediate attention helps you prevent complications and saves you from more extensive and expensive treatments. Addressing a dental emergency promptly also reduces the risk of permanent damage to teeth and the gums.
Whether it is an accidental knocked out tooth or extreme mouth pain, knowing when to call emergency dentists is essential. This article provides a guide on the signs that indicate an emergency. Contact Emergency Dental Las Vegas now!
A toothache is a common dental problem that can be an emergency. If left untreated, a toothache can lead to more serious problems like infection and even loss of the tooth. If a toothache is caused by a cavity, your dentist will generally fill the hole to alleviate the pain. If it is due to a more serious cause such as an infection in the nerve of the tooth, then a root canal may be required. If the cause is severe enough, an antibiotic may also be prescribed if there are signs of fever or swelling of the jaw.
The best way to prevent a toothache is to brush your teeth twice a day and use fluoride toothpaste to clean the entire surface of the teeth. Flossing regularly can help too, as can using mouthwash with antibacterial properties. Limiting sweet foods and drinks is also a good idea to avoid tooth decay.
If you do have a toothache, over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to ease discomfort. You can also make a rinse with warm water and a teaspoon of baking soda to help reduce pain and prevent infections. A cold compress can also be placed on the affected area to help ease the pain.
In general, any pain that is persistent and severe can be considered a dental emergency. This can include a broken tooth, an infection, extreme sensitivity to hot or cold or a knocked-out tooth. It is a good idea to seek emergency dental care if you have a recurring pain, especially if it is in the center of the mouth. This can be an indication of a severe infection, an abscessed tooth or even bone damage to the jaw.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is an extremely common dental problem. It can range from a slight, dull feeling to a sharp, short-lived pain that feels like a zinger. It’s caused by a number of things, such as the wearing away of tooth enamel due to teeth grinding or consuming acidic foods and drinks. When the enamel erodes, it exposes the underlying layer of dentin, which has microscopic tubules filled with nerve endings. This makes the teeth very sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, sticky, and other stimuli.
Although it can be painful, it isn’t usually an emergency because the sensation will fade if the tooth isn’t stimulated again. However, if the discomfort lasts longer than a few days or becomes recurring, it could be a sign of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
In some cases, the dentist may recommend a specialized toothpaste or even apply a protective coating to the affected area to alleviate the pain. However, if the tooth is damaged beyond repair, a root canal might be required.
Although tooth sensitivity may not seem like a serious problem, it can cause discomfort that affects your quality of life and can lead to other dental problems if left untreated. If you experience this, call the emergency dentist right away to schedule an appointment. They’ll be able to help you find the best solution. After all, no one wants to live with constant pain in their mouth! Especially when it can be easily prevented. The sooner you visit an emergency dentist, the less discomfort and risk of further damage you’ll experience. Here are some tips to help you know when to call for help:
Broken Tooth
A cracked or broken tooth is considered a dental emergency and needs to be seen as soon as possible. This is because a crack in a tooth often leads to further complications like pulpal infection, if left untreated.
Pain and bleeding are the main warning signs that a cracked or broken tooth requires immediate dental attention. If you have a broken tooth, rinse the mouth and apply pressure with a clean gauze or cloth to stop bleeding. Avoid taking aspirin, which can prolong bleeding. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage discomfort until you see the emergency dentist.
Depending on the extent of the break, your emergency dentist will determine whether or not it is necessary to remove any loose parts and repair the remaining structure. They may use a special filling material to seal the fractured area. Alternatively, they may need to perform root canal treatment, or extract the tooth.
It is important to save any pieces of the broken tooth if possible. This will enable your dentist to reattach the fragments if they are in the right position. You should also apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and take over-the-counter pain relievers until you can see an emergency dentist.
In addition, you should avoid chewing or biting hard objects to prevent further damage to the tooth. Lastly, wearing a mouthguard during sports and other activities that pose a risk of tooth trauma is a good way to minimize the chances of broken teeth. Nevertheless, there are certain cases where you will need to visit the emergency dentist as quickly as possible, even if the pain is not severe. For example, if the broken tooth exposes the nerve endings and causes significant pain, you will need to visit the emergency dentist immediately.
Excessive Bleeding
When bleeding is severe and persists, it can be a dental emergency. Bleeding in the mouth can be a result of a broken tooth, gum disease or trauma and must be addressed immediately. If not, a patient can develop infection, obstruct their airway and experience severe pain.
If you are experiencing this problem, it is important to rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution and take over-the-counter painkillers. To control the blood, apply pressure to the area with a clean piece of gauze or cloth. This can be done for 15 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
Some injuries to the soft tissues in the mouth may cause excessive bleeding, including a bitten tongue or cheek, an injury to the lips, or an injury to the inside of the cheeks or jaw. If you are unable to control the bleeding with gentle pressure and it continues for more than 15 minutes, contact your emergency dentist or visit a hospital emergency room.
Traumatic dental injuries include fractures, luxations and avulsions. These injuries are sustained by direct or indirect impact on the dentition and surrounding structures from a sudden inciting event, most commonly sports injury, motor vehicle accidents and physical violence.
Infections of the dental system also qualify as emergencies, primarily when they cause extreme pain and swelling. The most common types of infections prompt patients to seek emergency treatment are apical and periodontal abscesses; irreversible pulpitis; and pericoronitis (an infection in the gingival tissue overlying an erupting or partially erupted 3rd molar). Considering these categories enables healthcare team members to improve coordination and communication and enhance patient care while improving overall outcomes.
Swelling
Swelling around the mouth, face, or gums may be indicative of a serious dental problem. The swelling might be due to a cracked tooth, gum disease, abscess or infection of the mouth, or a sinus problem. It’s important to see a dentist right away for the best chance of treatment and recovery.
If you have severe pain and swelling that is not going away, or you are experiencing a toothache that is persistent, it’s time to seek emergency dental care. Swelling that is moving from the mouth to the neck or head can be a sign of an infection that needs immediate attention. If left untreated, this infection could move into the bloodstream and potentially cause a life-threatening condition known as sepsis.
An emergency dental visit might also be necessary if you have a tooth that has broken off or if you’ve knocked a tooth out. If a tooth is knocked out, make sure to rinse the mouth and apply a gauze dressing to staunch bleeding. You should also try to put the tooth back in place, if possible.
A severe pain and a fever that is not going away could be a sign of an abscess or infection of the mouth. The abscess is a hardened pocket of pus that can cause severe pain and swelling. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and potentially affect vital organs such as the heart, lungs or brain. If the symptoms persist, a trip to the emergency dentist might be required for antibiotics and possibly draining of the abscess. A painful and swollen jaw can also be caused by a condition called dry socket, or alveolar osteitis. This is a post-extraction complication that results from the loss of the fibrin clot at the extraction site.