Many issues can affect your dental health which can make it challenging to know which one is an emergency and which one is not. According to a specialist for dental implants in Arlington, there are oral problems that can wait for a day or two before you visit the dentist, such as a chipped tooth that does not hurt. However, if it is painful and has left sharp fragments, it is considered an emergency.
Here are the common dental problems that require you to make an emergency dentist appointment.
When Your Jaw or Mouth is Swollen
A swollen mouth or jaw can be caused by swollen lymph nodes, gum disease, infection, and cancer- on rare occasions. It can be difficult to know the cause of the swelling. Therefore, you must schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
When You have a Fractured Tooth
Tooth fracture is the most common dental emergency. It can be caused by knocked out or displaced teeth, as well as trauma at the tooth position. Impacts that can cause injury to your teeth include being hit in the jaw when playing a contact sport like basketball and hockey, falling off a bicycle, and dental procedures like a root canal.
To avoid impacts that can severely damage your teeth, you must always wear a quality mouth-guard while engaging in contact sports.
You Experience Tooth or Gum Pain
Toothache is also very common among the world’s population. There are so many reasons why tooth and gum pain may occur. Examples include a gum disease known as gingivitis or bleeding gums and tooth decay, which is caused by bacteria formation in the tooth. When you experience tooth or gum ache, you must visit a dentist; otherwise, you may suffer from other severe conditions due to periodontitis.
When You Accidentally Lose Your Tooth
It is a must that you seek the services of an emergency dentist in case of an accidental tooth loss. Common injuries leading to tooth loss are sports-related, and they are known to cause trauma to the dental nerves and gum tissues. Seeking emergency treatment can help you find a quick solution to the problem. In many incidences, the lost tooth can be fixed.
When You Have an Abscessed Tooth
A dental abscess is a severe condition caused by an infection, which results from a pocket of pus in the tooth. Below are the signs and symptoms of a dental abscess:
- Tender lymph nodes in your neck
- Fever
- Swelling on the face
- Feeling pump-like bumps on the gum near the infected area
- Tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures
You can rinse your mouth with salty water several times a day to draw out the pus near the surface and manage pain caused by an abscessed tooth. It would help if you visited a dentist as soon as possible to prevent the spreading of the infection to the jaw and adjacent teeth.
How You Can Avoid Dental Emergencies
The best way is by practicing general dental hygiene, taking precautions when participating in impact sports, and scheduling regular dental checkups with a professional dentist. Regular visits to a dentist will help in the early detection of infection, gum disease, or tooth decay. As such, the conditions can be treated early enough before they become emergencies.