The beauty of regular dental cleanings and exams is that people can plan for them and work them into their busy schedules. However, a dental emergency can throw a kink into even the best-laid plans.
But what constitutes a dental emergency, and how do you know when it’s time to seek urgent dental care? In this article, we’ll explore dental emergencies, how to handle them, and where to find an emergency dentist.
What does a dental emergency look like?
Trauma to the mouth caused by an accident is an obvious dental emergency. In those cases, it’s best to head to the nearest emergency room before scheduling an appointment with an urgent care dentist. However, there are other signs of dental emergencies that aren’t as obvious, such as:
- Inflamed and bleeding gums: Swollen, bloody gums are an early warning sign of gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to infection and tooth loss.
- Swelling in the jaw, face, and neck: Swelling in this area could indicate an infected tooth, a cyst, or even a tumor.
- Mouth soreness and bumps on the tongue: New bumps on the tongue and mouth, as well as persistent mouth soreness may be signs of oral cancer.
- Extremely sensitive teeth: If eating, drinking, and even breathing cause extreme tooth sensitivity, then it’s time to seek urgent dental care. Tooth sensitivity could indicate that the nerves of the tooth are exposed and vulnerable to infection and injury.
- Oral pain or toothache: Mouth and tooth pain can occur for many reasons, such as an abscessed or cracked tooth. Whatever the cause, oral pain isn’t normal, and it warrants a trip to an emergency dentist.
- Wiggly teeth: It’s normal for young children to get wiggly teeth when their baby teeth fall out. For people who don’t have baby teeth, however, loose teeth are a sign of a dental emergency.
How do I handle a dental emergency?
The best thing to do in an emergency is to remain calm and contact a dentist that offers emergency services. Here are a few ways to handle the situation while waiting for an appointment with a dentist:
- A loose tooth: Messing with a wiggly tooth increases the risk of it falling out. Therefore, try to leave the tooth alone so that a dentist can better stabilize it at the appointment.
- A knocked-out tooth: A dentist might be able to save the tooth if care is administered immediately. On the way to the dentist, try to put the tooth back in the socket. If that’s too painful, then try to keep the tooth hydrated in milk or simply hold it in the mouth.
- A tooth infection: Also known as an abscessed tooth, a tooth infection requires special care. While waiting for urgent dental care, keep the area clean by rinsing the mouth with saltwater.
- A wiggly dental crown: Fixing a loose dental crown is relatively easy. Nevertheless, there is a risk that the crown falls off and is accidentally ingested before a dentist can fix it. Reduce the risk of it falling off by eating, drinking, and brushing with extreme care.
- A fractured or cracked tooth: Over-the-counter pain medications and ice packs help to relieve pain before a dental appointment.
Emergency Dentist in Denver, CO
If you have a dental emergency, then contact Metropolitan Dental Care in Denver, CO. Our attentive team has the skills and tools necessary to handle any of your dental health concerns. Ready to experience exceptional dental care, even during an emergency? Contact our team online, or call us at (303) 534-2626.
