A dental emergency means that your issue requires immediate medical attention to avoid tooth loss, stop severe infection and pain, or prevent other complications. In most cases, dental emergencies are caused by an oral injury or an infection. In this article, we discuss the signs you need an emergency dental visit.
Signs You Need an Emergency Dental Visit
Emergency dental care might be required if you have one or multiple of the following symptoms.
Mobile Teeth
Mobile or loose teeth often indicate that they are severely decayed or that you have an advanced gum disease. Remember that healthy teeth in adults are always secure in their sockets. Once your teeth become mobile due to an infection, they are not likely to heal and become stable again on their own. The most common outcome in this situation is tooth loss. Also, oral infections can have negative consequences for the other organs in the body and even lead to sepsis. Thus, it is crucial to visit the doctor as soon as you notice any signs of mobility in your teeth.
A Broken Dental Restoration
If a dental crown, bridge, or other type of dental restoration is broken or cracked, the teeth and soft tissue that were protected by it become vulnerable to acid and bacteria in the mouth. As a result, infection and tooth decay might occur. Also, a broken dental restoration can have sharp edges that might damage the soft tissue in the mouth.
An Oral Injury
In most cases, an oral injury occurs due to a forceful impact on the face. An oral injury might result in:
- Lacerations in the mouth
- Nerve and tooth root damage
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Dislodged teeth
- Knocked out teeth
Regardless of the injury type, oral trauma is always a cause for an emergency dental visit, especially if bleeding is present. However, in some cases, there are not any apparent symptoms like bleeding or severe pain, but tooth nerves and roots might be damaged and still require a check-up and treatment.
A Knocked Out Tooth
If your tooth has become completely dislodged from its socket, it is crucial to attend an emergency dental office immediately—within the first 20 to 60 minutes—and bring the knocked-out tooth with you. A timely action might help save the tooth by having your dentist place it back in its socket.
To bring the knocked-out tooth to the dental office, place it in a clean container, ideally filled with saliva or milk. Remember not to use water to clean or store a knocked-out tooth. If you have bleeding, try applying a clean piece of gauze to the injury site. Severe pain can be remedied with over-the-counter painkillers, such as Ibuprofen, taken according to the instructions.
Strong and Persistent Toothache
In most cases, an intense toothache lasting more than a day is a sign of advanced tooth decay that has reached the nerves of the tooth. Such a toothache might be accompanied by fever and swelling. If this condition is left untreated for too long, the infection might kill the nerves of the tooth.
Bleeding Gums
Constantly bleeding gums might signify advanced gum disease, which jeopardizes the stability of the teeth and the health of the whole body. The infection penetrates the deeper layer of the gums and eventually the jawbone, destroying its structure.
Pus Discharge, Cysts, or Abscess in the Gums
Pus discharge from underneath the gum line, cysts, or abscesses in the gums are also symptoms of severe oral infection or gum disease. Apart from risking tooth loss due to infection, you might also face issues with other organs in the body caused by oral infection, for example, gastrointestinal system problems or life-threatening blood sepsis.
Metal Taste in the Mouth
A metal taste in the mouth that persists even after brushing your teeth might be a sign of a broken dental filling sealant. A compromised sealant allows bacteria and food debris to penetrate the tooth, which can result in infection and tooth decay.
Jaw, Face, and Neck Swelling and Pain
Various issues, such as oral infections, throat infections, and thyroid conditions, can cause swelling and pain in the jaw, face, and neck. In any case, swelling is an emergency. Your emergency dentist will establish whether an oral infection causes the symptoms and refer you to other specialists if needed.
Make an Appointment Today
Schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist in Mission Viejo today if you have one or several symptoms we discuss in this article. Our specialists are looking forward to your visit to Dentist Mission Viejo.