You can’t see your teeth, so it’s easy to forget about them. What happens when your teeth start hurting, or you notice a problem? Do you go in for treatment as soon as possible or wait until the next available appointment? The answer depends on the emergency and what kind of care is required.
Different Types Of Dental Emergencies
Just like other health emergencies, there are several dental emergencies too. Some of them are:
Dental Pain
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from a dental emergency:
- Pain in your mouth or jaw
- Pain in your ear, nose and throat (NT) area
- Swelling of the gums or face around your teeth
- Difficulty swallowing food or saliva due to swelling in or around the mouth or throat area
Tooth Decay
If you ignore the symptoms of tooth decay, it can lead to more severe problems. This can cause your teeth to break or fall out. It’s crucial to get treatment as soon as possible if you have any signs of tooth decay:Dental emergencies should be treated as soon as possible. Read this article to know why you should not ignore them.y
- Toothache – You may feel pain in your mouth when you eat something hot or cold. The pain may be sharp or constant and get worse when chewing on that side of your mouth.
- Swelling – If bacteria from plaque build-up inside your teeth, it can cause an infection called gingivitis (gum disease). This leads to redness along the gum line and bleeding when brushing or flossing your teeth because it irritates the gums so much! If left untreated, this will progress into a periodontal disease which affects the tissue supporting each tooth.
Gum Swelling
Gum swelling can be a sign of an infection, but it can also be a sign of other problems. A gum disease (or gingivitis) may cause your gums to swell and bleed more quickly than normal. When you have gum disease, your dentist will likely recommend that you get cleanings every six months to prevent further damage.
If you’re experiencing swelling in one or both sides of your mouth and they don’t go away quickly after being treated at home with ice packs or over-the-counter medications, see a dentist immediately because this could indicate that something serious is going on inside your mouth.
Tooth Loss
If you don’t replace a missing tooth, it can lead to serious health problems. A missing tooth will cause your mouth to shrink and lose volume, contributing to gum disease and other oral health issues. The longer you wait before replacing your missing tooth, the more likely other teeth will shift around in their sockets or become misaligned.
If you’re interested in replacing a missing tooth with an implant or dental bridge, talk with your dentist about the options available.
Inability To Eat
It might take a while for your tooth to heal, and the only thing that will help it do so is time. You can’t speed up the process by chewing on ice or other hard objects. These things will only make your pain worse and damage the surrounding tissue even more than it already is.
The best thing to do is get some rest, drink plenty of fluids (water), eat soft foods like yogurt or soup until you feel better, and visit your dentist as soon as possible if you notice any unusual symptoms such as swelling around the area where your tooth was removed or an increase in pain over time instead of getting better like it should be doing by now!
Severe Pain
Severe pain can be a symptom of a dental emergency. The cause of the pain may be an injury to the teeth or gums (such as chipped or cracked enamel) or tooth decay (cavity). If you experience severe pain in your mouth, there is likely an underlying problem with one or more of your teeth, gums or jaw. In some cases, severe toothaches can be caused by infection or abscesses within the jawbone.
Infection Of The Gums
If you ignore a dental emergency, the infection can spread to other parts of your body. It includes your bones, joints, heart and brain.
Infections of the gums (gingivitis) are common in adults and children who do not practice good oral hygiene. The symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Inflammation and swelling of the gums
- Redness or soreness around the teeth
- Bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth
If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it’s important to see them immediately because they could lead to periodontal disease. An infection that affects both soft tissues supporting structures within bone crevices in teeth as well as the hard bony structure itself.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay, also known as caries, is a progressive disease affecting teeth. It’s caused by bacteria in your mouth and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
If you do develop a cavity in one of your molars, there are several treatment options available depending on its severity.
A dental filling may be placed in the decayed area to restore lost tooth structure and prevent further damage from occurring. It lasts about five years before needing replacement again due to the wear and tear of chewing food all day long!
Why Should You Not Ignore Dental Emergencies?
If you have a dental emergency, it’s essential to act quickly. Ignoring a problem can lead to further problems and even infection that could cause pain and tooth loss.
If your toothache is caused by decay or gum disease, the longer you wait to consult us, the more likely it is that treatment will be more complicated and costly in the long run. Decaying teeth are at risk of being broken off completely if left untreated for too long – which means more dental work for you later on!
It’s Important To Take Care Of Your Teeth!
Teeth are an essential part of your body. They’re a sign of beauty and health, so taking care of them is important! You can do this in many ways:
- Visit a dentist (a doctor who specializes in teeth)
- Brush your teeth twice a day with toothpaste
- Floss regularly
The Bottom Line
It’s best to seek treatment for any dental emergencies as soon as possible. Remember that they can get worse if you don’t care for your teeth and cause other problems such as heart disease or stroke. It can be scary when something goes wrong with your smile, but there is always hope!