When Is It Actually A Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency can be a serious issue if it is not looked after quickly. This is why your dentist should be the first person to call when you encounter a dental problem.
However, when those dental issues occur on the weekends, outside of the normal hours of operation or during holidays, you should be able to tell when it is an emergency or not. In this article, we will look at different possibilities to determine which of those require emergency dental care and which ones don’t.
The Signs To Watch For
There are a number of signs to look for that can help you decide if you need urgent dental care or not. They include the following:
- Severe pain
- A tooth that has fallen out
- Loose teeth in general
- An oral infection
- Bleeding from the mouth
All of these are typically considered reasons to seek emergency dental care from your dentist.
Other Causes Of An After Hours Dental Emergency
If you have any of the following conditions, you have what would be considered a dental emergency.
A Knocked-Out Tooth
It is important to seek immediate dental care when a tooth has been dislodged from your mouth. This is to preserve the tooth and reinsert it as soon as possible to prevent further oral issues.
You can help in this process by collecting the tooth, taking care to not touch the root of the tooth when you pick it up. Then rinse it off (with milk or saline) and place it in a small container of milk or saline as you make your way to your dentist’s office.
A Cracked or Chipped Tooth
A painful and serious fracture of a tooth is a serious matter. Should this happen to you, be sure to rinse your mouth with warm water and use a cold compress outside of your mouth to combat swelling. To fight pain, take paracetamol until you can see your dentist for repair.
An Abscessed Tooth
This situation can be potentially life-threatening. An abscess is when a pocket of pus in the tooth has developed into an infection. An abscessed tooth can produce a constant toothache, heat and cold sensitivity and fever. Other signs include tenderness of the neck lymph nodes, facial swelling and pimple-like bumps on the gum near the affected tooth.
If you have any of these symptoms, contact us immediately at All Needs Dental for an emergency appointment.
When Is A Dental Issue Not An Emergency?
Typically, any kind of oral problem that does not include severe pain, bleeding, an infection or is the result of a lost tooth can wait a day or two until the dentist can book a regular appointment. If a crown or filling is lost, this situation can be put off for a couple of days if there is no serious pain involved.
How To Avoid Situations Requiring Urgent Dental Care
Unfortunately, dental emergency situations can occur at just about any time. Other than being proactive and practicing good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing as well as routine check-ups, and taking care of your teeth, especially when playing contact sports, situations when you require emergency dental care can be unpredictable. This is why it is good to know when you do require urgent dental care, and when it is not an emergency situation and can wait.
If, however, you are unsure whether you need immediate dental care or not, then please get in touch with our dental practice, All Needs Dental in Burwood.