You probably don’t want to spend time and money visiting the dentist for every little pain or injury that occurs in your mouth, but the fact is that there are many symptoms that you simply can’t afford to ignore. Slight discomfort in your tooth could very quickly turn into a full-blown toothache, and bleeding gums could eventually become severely infected. Any of the following 4 symptoms could be warning you of dental emergencies; learn them well so that you don’t second-guess yourself out of calling the dentist when you have to!
1. Severe, Persistent Pain
Some toothaches are only temporary and can be linked to any number of causes, including sinus trouble; you might even be able to treat the condition at home. However, if the pain worsens over time, lasts for a matter of days, and doesn’t allow any time for relief, then you probably have an infection that requires immediate attention. Your dentist will need to form a proper diagnosis before they treat the affected tooth.
2. Loose Teeth
You probably remember the feeling of a loose tooth from back when you were a kid. You should never, ever experience this sensation when you already have all of your adult teeth, which are meant to help you eat and speak for the rest of your life. Looseness usually points to some type of injury (which is normally accompanied by pain), or it could be a result of a localized infection that has destroyed the underlying roots. At some point, a tooth that has come loose might have to be extracted, which is why you need to act immediately.
3. Bleeding Gums
Bleeding normally shouldn’t occur in your mouth; when it does, it’s often a sign of gum disease. You can tell how advanced the infection is by considering the severity of the bleeding. A little bit of blood on your dental floss typically means you only have gingivitis (the earliest form of gum disease); it needs to be treated as soon as possible, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be treated as an emergency. However, a serious infection that causes excessive bleeding and aching gums most certainly requires immediate attention.
4. Swollen Jaw
Swelling is probably one of the most obvious signs of an infection, especially if you also notice a bad taste in your mouth or develop a fever. This particular symptom is often linked to an uncommon condition where the salivary glands are blocked. In turn, this prevents saliva from breaking down food and washing away bacteria, leading to numerous oral health issues. Infections could also occur around infected wisdom teeth and other areas of the mouth; your dentist can narrow down the nature of the issue during your emergency appointment.
These are just a few symptoms you might notice. If you call your emergency dentist, they’ll be able to help you better understand your situation and can arrange an appointment for you if it sounds like you need immediate care.
About the Author
Dr. Robert J. Sanker gained an interest in dentistry thanks to his father, who was a prosthodontist. His focus includes esthetic, implant, and reconstructive dentistry, and his years of training has made him an expert in repairing severely broken teeth and relieving oral pain in emergency situations. If you find yourself in need of emergency treatment, you can get in touch with his Rockville practice by calling (301) 468-5566. You can also reach out through his website.