5 Signs You Need Emergency Dental Care

It always happens at the most inconvenient times, doesn’t it? Whether you’re on the vacation of a lifetime or at a family event, dental emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere.

It can be hard to identify at what point you need emergency dental care- is your toothache normal or something out of the ordinary? To help avoid an unnecessary trip to the dentist or emergency room, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 symptoms that warrant a visit to the dentist.

Broken/Chipped Tooth

Aside from not looking pretty, a broken or chipped tooth can cause a numerous amount of problems. Now if your relaxing on the beach and your chipped tooth isn’t causing you any pain, you may be able to wait and see your dentist once you get home. However, if your tooth (or partial tooth) is causing you any pain, you should seek out care immediately.

When your tooth is in pain, you will chew differently to avoid that tooth. Even though it may be easier to eat, as you avoid the broken tooth you will bite down differently on the food you eat. This can cause more problems such as jaw pain. Avoid more discomfort and call your dentist for an appointment!

Broken Crown or Filling

A broken crown may not seem like an emergency, but it is actually one of the leading problems that require emergency treatment. When a crown comes off completely, odds are you will be in quite a bit of pain, but if the crown, or a filling, is broken or fractured, you may not be in any pain. Even if you aren’t in any pain, it’s imperative that you see your dentist immediately.

If you have a broken crown or filling, you may have sensitivity to hot or cold food and beverages. Eat and drink with caution before you see your dentist.

Tooth Abscess

Odds are, you won’t know you have an abscessed tooth until you are in an extreme amount of pain. There’s nothing else to do but call your dentist and request an emergency appointment- don’t wait until Monday! In the meantime, put a cold compress on the infected area to ease any pain or discomfort.

Severe Toothache

As the title implies, a severe toothache is cause for an emergency dental appointment. In this situation, you will be in a significant amount of pain or discomfort. You may experience extreme sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages, hard foods, or even air! You may have a cavity, tooth fracture, or an abscess all of which needs to be addressed immediately.

Bleeding Gums

Usually when there is blood involved, it’s important to get a professional’s opinion. Bleeding gums is not a normal condition and should be treated by your dentist immediately. If you don’t floss often, your gums may lightly bleed. This isn’t uncommon but is a clear sign you need to floss more often. However, if your gums bleed consistently, it may be a sign of an underlying problem such as periodontal disease, which needs to be treated immediately.

Your Emergency Dental Care Specialists

The team at Light Touch Dental is equipped to handle any emergency situation that comes our way. Need to get an appointment? Call our office at (419) 866-4271 and we will do our best to get you a same-day appointment for your emergency. Your health is our top priority!

 

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