Lets face it: tooth related issues are the worst. Even though the mouth is the quickest healing place of your entire body, it can also be the most annoying and uncomfortable place to get a laceration. The mouth is the first place that digestion and wound healing takes place in the body. But, what do you do when you have an infection that just doesn’t go away? Perhaps it comes and goes? Mouth and tooth issues happen, but the warning signs should trigger an appointment for a tooth urgent care Castle Rock dentist right away.
Signs of an Infection
Not every infection is an emergency, but you do need to identify when a problem persists beyond a reasonable amount of time. The signs of infection can differ greatly from person to person, and circumstance to circumstance. Teething children may experience fevers from baby teeth erupting. When baby teeth are lost and a new set is coming through, the open area is raw and exposed until fully healed over with adult teeth. This can cause food to get trapped, and bacteria can spark an infection as a result. The same goes for teens and adults who have tooth extractions. The area is now exposed and sensitive, leaving room for the possibility of infection if not treated carefully. Another way that infection can happen is if a cavity is unattended. As soon as you notice a dark spot that is sensitive to foods and temperatures, call your tooth emergency care Castle Rock dentist. It’s important to know that there are warning signs that aren’t as typical as the signs above, so special attention is needed. These signs may include:
- Throbbing tooth pain
- Pain in jaw bone, neck, ear, or all of these
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes
- Unpleasant taste and foul breath
- Cheek swelling
- Fever often accompanied by pain that gets worse when lying down
- Pressure and temperature sensitivity in the mouth
These symptoms are somewhat common among average people, and can be temporarily treated without rushing to the emergency dentist. However, it is best treated when noticed right away so the pain does not persist and you don’t experience a tooth abscess.
Tooth Infection Emergencies
You may experience one or all of these symptoms, but it’s important that the infection does not spread to the rest of your body. If this occurs, you may feel chills, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and experience facial swelling. Severe cases can affect your breathing and heart rate, and you may also experience some stomach pain. These are extreme cases, but they do happen if not taken care of right away. So what makes a tooth problem an emergency? You probably won’t go to the ER or your dentist for jaw pain that happened upon waking, with no pain the night before. Jaw pain can be caused by grinding the teeth at night and is very common with most people. Those who have had tooth extractions will likely experience pain for a longer period of time. If the pain worsens and the infection is not healing, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with your dental urgent care Castle Rock dentist right away. A tooth abscess is the result of an untreated tooth infection, and can happen to any of us if we’re not careful. Abscesses start at the root of the tooth, and can cause fever and swelling. In severe cases, the tooth may need to be pulled.
You don’t have to go to the ER for emergency tooth care. Your local dentist will help you address the problem as soon as possible. At Glow Dentistry, our skilled team of dentists provide you with top-notch emergency dental care. Contact us today for a cleaning and oral check-up!