10 Reasons You May Require an Emergency Dentistry
If you experience a sudden toothache, pain from a previous dental procedure, or you chip your tooth while biting something hard, it might be an emergency. Luckily, emergency dental treatment can help get to the root of the issue and prevent further complications.
However, it is crucial to know whether your problem is urgent or not so you can take appropriate action. Conditions such as toothaches, bleeding, and swelling can happen anytime to anyone – and when they do occur, seek emergency dentistry in Forty Fort, PA.
What Are the Common Emergency Dental Conditions?
The most common signs you have a dental situation in need of emergency dental services include:
- Toothache
A tooth infection is the most common cause of toothache. The cavity can cause sensitivity to hot and cold and difficulty when biting down on something hard. Root canal treatment may also lead to toothache by increasing pressure inside the tooth.
Other causes include abscessed teeth, dental fractures, abscesses between teeth, impacted wisdom teeth, gum disease, periodontal disease, and oral piercings.
- Loose teeth
During childhood, loose teeth are never a cause of concern because they often indicate the falling of primary teeth. However, when you have loose teeth as an adult, it could be a sign of a problem. The most common cause of wiggly teeth is tooth injury, which can cause pain.
Localized infection is also causing the teeth to get loose.
- Bleeding gums
Bleeding gums can be a sign of soft tissue injury. The most common cause is tooth decay, which can lead to toothache and broken teeth. Other more severe causes may include oral cancer or damage due to trauma, such as that caused by biting or brushing too hard.
Bleeding from the gums may also be due to periodontal disease, an infection of the tissues surrounding your teeth. Gum disease often leads to teeth loss.
There are many causes for bleeding gums, but it is crucial to consult a dentist if you experience bleeding gums persistent bleeding for a couple of days.
- Swollen jaw
The most common causes of a swollen jaw are:
- Tooth infection: When bacteria gets under and between your gums, it can spread to your jawbone and cause swelling. This often occurs from untreated cavities or teeth grinding during sleep.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD): TMD is a condition that causes pain in your jaws, head, neck, shoulders, or teeth. It’s usually due to problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Your TMJ is where the jaw meets the skull. It helps you open and close the mouth when eating, speaking, yawning, and singing.
- Dental abscess
A dental abscess is a collection of pus formed when bacteria enter the tissues around teeth and eat away at them. The infection can spread throughout the body and lead to more severe health conditions, such as sepsis.
Dental abscesses are a dental emergency and can be life-threatening if not treated properly.
- Knocked out teeth
If you have knocked out your teeth, it is vital to keep your mouth closed and contact the emergency dentist as soon as possible. It is easy for the dentist to save the teeth and prevent further complications on the teeth if treatment is started early.
- Broken and chipped teeth
Broken and chipped teeth are a dental emergency that can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. The teeth can break or chip if you fall or bite a hard object.
- Soft tissue injuries
Soft mouth tissue injuries are a type of dental emergency that you should not ignore.
These injuries occur when you accidentally bite on something too hard, such as a nail or a pen.
Soft mouth tissue injuries can be painful and make it difficult to eat, drink, and speak. If the injury is severe, it may be necessary for the injured person to go to the hospital and have their mouth cleaned and checked for any problems that can cause infection.
- Lost dental fillings and crowns
Lost, loose, and broken crowns and fillings should be dealt with quickly to prevent tooth decay and sensitivity.
- Numb tooth
Tooth pain will usually diminish over time, but if the pain continues and you experience numbness in your teeth, this is a sign that the infection has spread to the root of your tooth.
Pay close attention to the tooth pain because it may indicate a dental issue that needs emergency dental treatment.
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Visit NEPA Dental West for more information about common emergency dental situations and what you can handle them.