A study conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) revealed there were over two million dental-related emergency visits in 2018. It represented 615.5 visits per 100,000 people. A stat by the American Dental Association revealed in 2015 more than $2 billion was spent on dental-related emergency visits in the U.S.
Any problem involving teeth and gums that needs immediate attention and treatment is considered a dental emergency. It can be severe pain in the teeth and gums, a broken tooth due to an accident, life-threatening infections, or sudden numbness in the mouth.
Emergency dental conditions can happen any time of the day—in the normal hours or the oddest hours when all regular clinics are closed for the day. Irrespective of the time, they need to be treated at the earliest. If not treated in time, they can exacerbate the complications in less time. This blog post discusses some key things about dental emergencies. Read on to know everything about it.
Signs indicating emergency dental care
How can you determine if you have a dental emergency? Well, to know if you have a dental emergency, look out for these signs that can indicate you need emergency dental care.
- Broken or fractured tooth
Regarded as one of the major dental emergencies, a broken and fractured tooth requires immediate dental care. It can be caused by dental trauma, accident, as well as other causes such as bruxism or infections. It can lead to serious oral health complications if not treated on time and can also affect overall health. It’s prudent to visit an emergency dentist immediately if a tooth is broken, fractured, or loose.
- Gum ache or bleeding
Though you need not worry about an occasional gum ache and gum bleeding, you must visit an emergency dentist if the bleeding persists for more than a day. It can be a sign of periodontal diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis. An emergency dentist will check your gums and will find the cause. Some other signs that you need to get your gums checked by an emergency dentist are if you find traces of blood after brushing, flossing, or eating. If you feel you have receding gums, loose or shifting teeth, or deep pockets between your teeth and gums, consider visiting an emergency dentist.
- Severe and constant toothache
There is nothing to worry about if your tooth hurts a little once in a blue moon. But if the pain is unbearable and doesn’t respond to home remedies, then it’s best to see an emergency dentist without wasting any more time. Severe and persistent toothache can signify some major problem in the tooth or jaw.
- Numb mouth
Paresthesia. That’s the medical term for numbness anywhere in the body. It can cause a prickling or tingling sensation in your mouth or on your lips and it can indicate infected root nerves as well as tooth decay. If not treated on time, numbness in the mouth can cause many severe dental problems. If you feel any numbness in your mouth, visit your nearest emergency dental clinic immediately.
- Metallic taste
If you have a metal filling and you experience a metallic taste in your mouth, rush to your dentist or the nearest emergency dental clinic. If a compromised filling is not fixed on time, it could leak metals such as mercury or silver into your system and lead to poisoning.
- Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus. It has two types—periapical and periodontal abscesses. The former occurs at the root tip, while the latter occurs in the gums. If an abscess is not drained immediately and treated on time, it can cause serious problems. If you find pus oozing from your teeth or gums, visit an emergency dentist immediately.
- Lost or damaged dental devices
From braces and dentures to implants and veneers, all dental devices are designed to perfectly fit the teeth and last long by withstanding massive dental pressure as well as daily wear and tear. But some of them get damaged before time or come off from teeth. In that case, it is extremely crucial to fix the dental device immediately or replace it with a new one.
- Swollen jaw
A swollen jaw could be a warning sign of a severe infection or some serious problems with the teeth or gums. It can also result due to an obstruction in the salivary glands or a traumatic injury. If you find a sudden and unexplained swelling in your jaw, get in touch with an emergency dental clinic in your locality or visit an emergency dentist immediately.
- Aphthous ulcers
Also known as canker sores, aphthous ulcers are small, shallow, oval-shaped sores in the mouth. They can be caused by food allergies, lack of proper micronutrients, and allergic reactions to helicobacter pylori, a certain bacteria that cause ulcers. Most aphthous ulcers go away on their own in seven to 15 days. But if they don’t go after that, it can indicate some serious problems. That’s when it is necessary to see an emergency dentist.
- Objects stuck between teeth
If you have something wedged between your teeth or under your gum and you can’t remove it by using dental floss or toothpicks, it can indicate a dental emergency. If the object stuck between your teeth can’t be removed at home, call an emergency dental clinic immediately or visit an emergency dentist in your locality.
- Post dental treatment complications
A majority of dental procedures and treatments have high success rates and survival times. But an extremely small percentage can go wrong. Even though the chances of post-treatment complications are extremely rare, they can cause severe problems if they aren’t treated on time. If you experience any anomalies or feel any discomfort after a dental procedure or treatment, seek emergency dental care.
- Constant headache
Last but not the least; headaches are silent indicators of dental issues. They are so common that very few can suspect that they have dental issues. Though there is no need to be alarmed about occasional and mild headaches, visit an emergency dentist if the headache doesn’t subside after taking prescribed medicines and adequate rest.
Summing up
When you have a severe toothache, unstoppable bleeding, broken or fractured tooth, or any injury that has affected teeth, you should immediately seek dental care. If you feel you may have a dental emergency, look for emergency dental care services in and around your locality and go there immediately without wasting any time.
At TruCare Dentistry, we provide same-day emergency dental care and treat all types of dental emergencies. If you’re looking for an emergency dental clinic in Roswell, GA, or neighboring areas such as Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Marietta, Milton, Sandy Springs, or Woodstock, call (678) 321-7575.