Common Dental Emergencies: Signs and Symptoms

Do you need emergency dental care? A dental emergency is any problem concerning your teeth, which needs immediate dental care. Many people do not know that dental issues can become much more severe over time if not treated. This is why it is important to be able to identify a dental emergency.

To label your issue a dental emergency, you must be feeling symptoms that are threatening damaging consequences. Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of a dental emergency.

 

• Bleeding Gums

If your gum bleeds after brushing or flossing your teeth, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Bleeding gums are a symptom of gum disease, for which early treatment is very important. If gum disease is not treated early, it can damage your teeth to the point where they cannot go back to a healthy state.

 

• Harsh Toothache

A toothache is always a warning sign of an underlying problem. A severe toothache can indicate a cavity or tooth decay. With a proper dental checkup, your dentist can get to the origin of the problem and handle the issue causing you pain and discomfort.

 

• Broken or Chipped Tooth

You can chip or break your tooth by biting something a bit too hard. A broken or chipped tooth not only affects your smile but can also be quite painful, as well as a sign that you need emergency dental treatment.

 

• Fractured Jawbone

If you are experiencing pain, a cracking feeling, or having trouble opening or closing your jaw, you should see your dentist right away. If you have a TMJ disorder, you will feel like your jaw is stuck and may feel pain when chewing.

 

• Lost Crown or Filling

If your crown or filling breaks, you need to get it fixed right away to prevent further infection and damage. In the meantime, stick sugar-free gum into the cavity as you wait to see your dentist. Do not repair the cavity yourself to avoid injuring it.

 

• Sore or Swelling

If you spot a sore or swelling inside your mouth, you should give your doctor a call. A sore or swelling that does not clear up on its own could be a symptom of oral cancer. Your dentist will screen you for cancer and other complications and begin treatment immediately.

 

• A Taste of Metal Inside Your Mouth

In the past, before porcelain tooth fillings became common, many people got metal fillings. If you sense a taste of metal inside your mouth, it could mean that an old filling has cracked or gotten loose. Fixing the filling early will prevent your tooth from getting infections and cavities.

 

• Pain and Bleeding After Extracting a Tooth

It is normal to bleed or feel pain after removing a tooth, but if pain and bleeding continue even one hour later, call your dentist. He or she will guide you on what to do and what things to avoid doing as you wait to return to see him or her.

For more on common dental emergencies, signs, and symptoms, visit Above & Beyond Dental at our office in Bedford, Texas. You can call (817) 571-1667 today to book an appointment.