Your tooth is aching, and the pain seems to intensify each minute. While you can still be able to grin and bear it, the discomfort has started to affect the way you go about your daily tasks.
You’re focused on your game, intent on winning. You run faster – and the side of your cheek gets elbowed in the process. There is bleeding in your mouth.
You’re chomping on your favorite chips when you hear a loud crack from inside your mouth. You just chipped your tooth. You’re not feeling any pain, though. Now what?
In these scenarios, you know you will need to go to the dentist to have the problem checked and treated. But should you make a run for it now, or can you put off the visit until your next appointment?
In other words, how do you know if it’s a dental emergency?
Determining the need for after-hours dental care
Dental accidents happen. Injury or trauma to the mouth and face can occur even in the most careful of individuals. Tooth and gum conditions can arise despite fastidious brushing and flossing.
Some of these conditions and their symptoms can be effectively managed with at-home remedies, followed by a visit to the dentist during regular office hours.
At the same time, there are also incidents that will require immediate dental care – any delays will make the patient susceptible to more serious outcomes and complications.
As such, knowing how to determine the need for after-hours dental care is crucial for timely, correct treatment.
What to watch out for
The following symptoms and situations require a run to your trusted 24/7 emergency dental clinic:
⦁ Severe pain
⦁ Non-stop bleeding
⦁ Loose, fallen or knocked out tooth
⦁ Tooth fracture
⦁ Swollen gums
⦁ Swelling or bruising in the mouth and/or face
⦁ Pain, lumps and knots in the gums
⦁ Torn tissue
⦁ Damaged filling or dental crown
Dental cases that call for immediate action
1. Severe pain
Pain in the tooth that intensifies over time, and sometimes especially when the patient bites down, may indicate the infection that has led to an abscess. Such a condition needs a trip to the dentist ASAP because if left untreated, it could lead to serious, even life-threatening complications.
2. Uncontrollable bleeding
When there is bleeding in the mouth, apply an ice pack on the cheek or side of the face, applying firm, continuous pressure while doing so. But if the flow of blood continues or increases, then it’s time to call the dentist and have it attended to right away.
3. Knocked-out tooth
Time is of the essence to save a tooth that has been dislodged or knocked out. Gently rinse the tooth with milk. Place it back into the socket or in between your cheek and gum, or soak the tooth in milk or saliva. Keep it there until you reach the dentist. Managed properly and quickly, there is still a chance for the same tooth to be replanted back into the socket.
4. Signs of infection
Watch out for the following signs of infection. It is important to seek immediate medical help should any of these signs persist. Leaving the condition unattended can lead to infection in other parts of the body such as the heart and brain.
⦁ Swelling in the gums, face and neck area
⦁ Bulges or knots in the gum
⦁ Throbbing pain that radiates to nearby areas such as the jaws
⦁ Fever
⦁ Bad odor and bad taste in the mouth
5. Laceration in the mouth
Torn or injured tissue also entails a trip to the emergency dentist, even if it does not include any problem with the teeth. Fast treatment of wounds or cuts in the inside of the cheeks, lips, tongue and gums is important because these areas tend to get bloody and are also prone to bacterial infection.
6. Lost, loose or damaged dental filling or crown
Displaced dental filling or crown exposes the tooth tissue and nerve endings. This makes the tooth ultra-sensitive to external elements, easily leading to pain and infection. Moreover, a loose crown is often caused by changes in the tooth due to decay. As such, it makes sense to have the site checked for immediate treatment.
7. More serious issues
For dental issues that come with severe bleeding, difficulty in breathing, jaw fracture and/or loss of consciousness, going to the hospital ER right away is advised.
Preparing for dental emergencies
Don’t wait for an emergency before you go around seeking an available dentist or an open clinic in your area. Look for a trusted 24/7 emergency dentist near you, schedule a visit and take note of their contact information for future reference.
Guest Blogger
Dr. Michael Letham is the owner and dentist at 24/7 Dental and Bayside Smiles. He graduated from Sydney University in 2000 with Honours, receiving the R Morse Withycombe Prize for Proficiency in Clinical Periodontics (gum treatment). Striving to provide a modern, holistic approach to dental care that is tailored to each individual’s requirements, Mike’s focus is on being thorough and meticulous whilst being caring and compassionate.
