Dental emergencies can indeed arise at any time whether on a working day, holiday, in the dead of night, or weekend. You will surely rush to see a dentist in case of emergency despite the time of the day. What if it turns out that you simply panicked and it was no dental emergency?
Before you knock the door of the dentist in odd hours, understand what dental emergency is and what dental problems can wait. This article details about dental emergencies and some immediate remedies that you can follow to ease your problem till you see the doctor.
What accounts for a dental emergency?
Not all dental problems are emergencies. It is required that you understand the difference between a dental emergency and regular dental problem. Read below what is considered as a dental emergency and check if you need to visit a dental clinic urgently:
- Bleeding – If your mouth bleeds without injury and you experience sudden severe pain, it calls for immediate medical attention.
- Loose or Knocked-Out Tooth – A loose or knocked-out tooth in adults is a sign of a potential emergency as an adult is not supposed to lose teeth in normal circumstances.
- Mouth Infection – Mouth infection, swelling or knots in gums, chronic teeth sensitivity, high fever, and swelling on face are signs of a dental emergency.
- Cracked or Chipped Tooth – A cracked or chipped tooth with sharp edges causing swelling on the face requires immediate treatment by a dentist as it may lead to severe injury and infection in the mouth.
- Abscess in Mouth – Abscess or pus in mouth, gum, or pocket of a tooth is a serious dental concern, which may lead to a life-threatening issue because of grave infection that it may cause.
If you face problems mentioned above, you need to visit a dental clinic urgently before they start affecting surrounding parts or tissues of the mouth and turn into a life-threatening medical case.
What is excluded from the purview of a dental emergency?
Some problems like general toothache without swelling in gums and face with no sign of high fever, chipped tooth without sharp fragments, and losing a crown or filling in the cavity are not critical problems. These dental conditions can wait till you visit your dentist, hence, not considered as a dental emergency.
It is highly recommended that in the case of a dental emergency, you should visit your nearest dental clinic. Do not take these issues lightly as they could be life-threatening if not addressed in time. Do not try self-medication or treatment and seek the help of a dentist. The best way of avoiding dental emergencies is to adopt and follow a proactive dental routine resulting in marinating oral hygiene.
