Life happens, and sometimes it can produce unexpected situations. While many of us try to prepare for life’s curveballs, we can’t account for everything unless we wrap ourselves in plastic and live in a bubble. Even some of the most mundane activities carry some risk. For example, you could trip just walking down the street and fall, and the impact could cause you to lose a tooth.
Generally, it’s not possible to prepare for everything. If you live your life fully, you may encounter a scenario where you need a dentist outside your regularly scheduled visits. Knowing when to seek emergency medical attention from your dentist is essential.
When To Contact Your Dentist
In certain situations, it may be evident that you need to contact your dentist. Still, you might hesitate in some scenarios that are actual dental emergencies.
Severe Pain
Toothaches can be common. However, you should contact your dentist immediately if you are experiencing severe pain in your teeth or jaw. Pain that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter pain relievers is generally a cause for concern, especially if the pain is sharp or throbbing.
Severe tooth pain can indicate an infection, which needs immediate treatment. Tooth decay, an impacted tooth, or complications from a recent dental procedure can cause infections. In addition, infections can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream, so it is vital to seek medical attention.
Bleeding
If you don’t floss regularly, you may experience slight bleeding that shouldn’t be a cause for concern. However, significant bleeding should always cause alarm. For example, suppose you have recently had a dental procedure, and the bleeding never stops. In that case, you should phone your dentist because you could be experiencing serious complications.
In addition, if you receive a laceration or puncture to the soft tissues in your mouth or face, you should find your nearest emergency dentist. Trauma is not the only reason you may experience dental bleeding. If your gums bleed significantly, it could be a sign of periodontal disease, which needs treatment before you lose teeth.
Missing Tooth
If you have a tooth knocked out, you have limited time to find an emergency dentist and save your tooth. However, it is essential to get to a dentist because a missing tooth can cause numerous problems to your oral health.
Many people intuitively know that a missing tooth is an emergency, but most people don’t know what to do between the initial trauma and getting to the dentist. With a knocked-out tooth, it is important that you only touch the crown of the tooth and not the root. Touching the root may cause damage.
The best way to preserve your tooth is to place it back in the socket if possible. However, you shouldn’t try to force it back into place because you can damage the delicate nerves in the root.
If you can’t put the tooth in its place, you can gently hold the tooth between your cheek and gums. This action will keep it moist and protected. A glass of milk will work in a pinch if you cannot use your mouth and saliva.