Health-based emergencies are never fun, especially when it comes to dental emergencies. If you wake up at 2 AM with a tooth that is causing you discomfort or with swelling in your cheek, this is likely to need an urgent or same-day appointment.
But unknown to many dental patients is that not all dental emergencies come with discomfort or swelling. So you may be suffering from a condition that requires urgent care and simply not be aware of this. In this article, we aim to highlight the 5 symptoms of a dental emergency that you should not ignore.
At Epping High Dental, our dentist Lalor is always happy to see patients who are suffering from a dental emergency. We will always aim to see you as soon as possible and treat with the highest level of compassion and care, so you will leave our surgery feeling better and able to get on with your day as planned.
With that in mind, what are some of the symptoms of a dental emergency that mean you need to book a same-day appointment to see our dentist Lalor? Read on to find out.
Discomfort
The most obvious sign is discomfort, and for many people, the discomfort associated with a dental emergency differs from other types of dental discomfort. It can feel like a bruise, a burning sensation or even throbbing underneath the tooth. However, if you have sudden sensitivity in a tooth, this also needs to be explored. Our dentist Lalor will always aim to resolve the issue associated with sudden or gradual discomfort quickly.
Swelling
Swelling to the face, under the jaw, to the neck or in the mouth needs to be examined urgently; this can point to either a dental abscess or an impacted wisdom tooth, or there may be another underlying issue that needs diagnosing. Even if the swelling is not causing discomfort, you will need to see our emergency team as soon as you notice it to prevent discomfort from forming and complications that can arise relating to eating and breathing.
Loose crown or filling
Crowns and fillings are great for restoring teeth that have succumbed to decay or damage. Unfortunately, they very rarely last forever, especially amalgam options. So if you notice that one of your fillings or crowns is loose or has detached from the tooth, then you need an emergency appointment to reattach it before the tooth succumbs to decay or becomes cracked.
Cracks and chips
Cracks and chips to enamel are common, especially with people who engage in sports or have manual jobs. However, this can be more than simple surface damage and allow bacteria to gain access to the dentine, potentially leading to an abscess. If you notice that one of your teeth has cracked or chipped, then an emergency appointment is needed to fill the damage and prevent further complications.
Ulcers
Many people suffer from dental ulcers, especially when they are stressed or ill. Recurring ulcers in the same part of the mouth or ulcers larger than a 5 pence piece need to be seen immediately by our dental team. They can indicate oral cancer, which is very easy to treat in the early stages.
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.