There’s no other pain quite like tooth pain, and chances are that most people will experience a severe toothache or broken tooth at some point in their life. If this happens to you, you’ll probably be glad to have an emergency dentist on speed dial to get the problem addressed as soon as possible. If you haven’t had this experience just yet, consider these situations that might call for an emergency dental exam before being in pain clouds your thinking.
A broken tooth calls for an emergency dental exam
If you have the unfortunate experience of breaking a tooth, there’s no time to waste. The sooner you act the easier the fix could be. If your whole tooth was knocked out, you can preserve it in a glass of milk and with an emergency dental exam, it could be put back into place. If part of the tooth was broken and the nerve is exposed, emergency dental care will deliver pain management and a plan to fix it for good.
Toothaches could call for an emergency dental exam
Persistent toothaches for an undiscovered reason could be caused by gum disease.You might also have an abscessed tooth. If you experience frequent toothaches you might consider heading in for a dental exam. Other symptoms that suggest an exam should be the order is fever, extreme tooth sensitivity, or swelling in the face or mouth.
You lose a filling or cap
If you lose a filling or cap it’s important to get in to see the dentist as soon as possible. Leaving the damaged tooth underneath exposed can be painful and can cause further damage by allowing for more cavities or infection to take hold. And if you wait too long to get in for a fix, you only increase your chances that a root canal will be what it takes to fix it.
If you notice bleeding gums
Bleeding gums are one of the tell tale signs of gum disease. It’s normal for there to be minimal bleeding after flossing, but if your gums bleed all the time, or profusely, it’s probably a good idea to make an appointment to check on your oral health. Gum disease can cause bigger problems over time and can even cause significant tooth loss if left untreated.