When it comes to emergencies in dental care, no one wants to be on the receiving end!
A dental emergency can be painful, disruptive and if not treated in good time, it can lead to secondary complications.
While you may assume that dental emergencies will be uncomfortable, this is not always the case. Many people may be walking around, unaware that the crack in their teeth is an emergency.
So, what are some of the signs that you may be suffering from a dental emergency?
At Epping High Dental, our dentist Lalor is a big believer in prevention and education. We are always happy to provide advice to our patients about how to keep their teeth in the best condition possible and to advise them on what to do if they experience a dental emergency.
Back to the original query, what are some of the signs of a dental emergency that you should not ignore? Our dentist Lalor provides the following guide.
Discomfort
According to our dentist Lalor, if you have a toothache that keeps you awake at night, distracts you, or simply makes it impossible to breathe or eat without some degree of discomfort, then you need to see our team for a same-day appointment.
More often than not, this level of discomfort can be indicative of an abscess or extreme dental decay.
Swelling
Almost occurring hand in hand with an oral abscess is swelling. If you notice swelling to your face, neck, gum line or any other part of your mouth or throat, this needs urgent medical attention. Before it causes issues with eating or breathing.
Swelling may also be a sign that you have an impacted tooth. Or that you are experiencing an allergy.
Lost filling or crown
Lost fillings and crowns are, for the most part, rather uncomfortable. So if you lose one of these restoratives, you are unlikely to not seek urgent help.
But, in some cases, there may be minimal discomfort or pain due to a root canal. This means you may ignore the loss of the restorative. But you need to see our team if you have lost either a crown or filling, as not doing so can lead to decay worsening or even a dental abscess.
Ulcers
Most people have experienced an ulcer around their mouth at one time or another. And usually, this is not a cause for concern.
But if your ulcer bleeds, is yellow, keeps occurring in the same part of the mouth or is larger than a small coin, then you need to see our team. This can be an early sign of oral cancer. Which will need to be treated as soon as possible.
Cracks and chips
A crack or chip in a tooth can act as a gateway for bacteria to gain access to the dentine. Which, with enough time, can lead to an abscess or decay.
So, if you spot a crack or chip in one of your teeth, book an emergency appointment to have it filled by our team.
DISCLAIMER
All treatments carry risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.