Some people ignore their dental problems and don’t realize that they can worsen when left treated. Dental emergencies are classified as any incident involving the mouth which requires immediate care. Emergency dentist Dr. Arpit Pathak and his team help patients in New South Wales identify the root cause of their oral health problems and treat them accordingly.
Still, not every situation is considered a dental emergency. To help you understand if you need to take a trip to the emergency room or visit an emergency dentist, ask yourself these five questions. If your answer is “yes” to any of the following questions, schedule an emergency dental appointment as soon as possible.
1. Are you in extreme dental pain?
People should not take toothaches lightly. Dental pain is a red flag. It’s the body’s way of telling us that something is not right in the mouth, such as a cavity, exposed nerves, or a broken tooth.
Until you’re able to visit the dentist, alleviate discomfort by:
- Using over-the-counter pain medication as directed
- Rinsing with saltwater
- Applying a cold compress
2. Are you experiencing non-stop bleeding from the mouth?
Although irritated gums are not necessarily a dental emergency, gums that won’t stop bleeding may indicate a serious underlying health issue. See your dentist right away if you are experiencing these issues.
3. Do you have sores that won’t resolve themself?
If your tongue, mouth, or gums are covered with sores that won’t resolve themselves, this could indicate an underlying problem: oral cancer. Annually, approximately 2500 new oral and pharyngeal cancer cases are registered in Australia. See your dentist right away if you are experiencing these symptoms.
4. Do you have an infection or pimple on your gums?
If you notice swelling around your gums with pus coming out, this is a severe tooth infection called a tooth abscess. Don’t ignore it. Unfortunately, this infection can spread into your surrounding tissue and other areas of the body. Visit your dentist before it’s too late.
5. Do you have a dislodged permanent tooth?
Although it’s normal for children to shed their baby teeth as they grow up, it’s abnormal for adults to lose their permanent teeth. Even without discomfort, a loose tooth is alarming and may be linked to:
- Periodontal disease
- Trauma
- Stress-related bruxism
- Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy or menopause)
Ideally, you should schedule an emergency dental visit as soon as you notice a tooth is loose. Gradually, a loose tooth may worsen and cause damage to the gums and tooth roots, which may lead to infection or even loss.
Meet with an Emergency Dentist Soon
Now that you’ve answered all of the essential questions and half self-assed your symptoms, you should be able to decide whether you must seek immediate attention or not:
- If you are experiencing any common signs indicative of a dental emergency, schedule an emergency dental appointment.
- If you feel like you are suffering from life-threatening symptoms, please visit the emergency room as soon as possible. Most emergency rooms can provide antibiotics and help with fractured teeth or jaws (when necessary).
Although comprehensive dental checkups can keep cavities and periodontal disease at bay, dental emergencies happen from time to time. If you are dealing with a dental emergency, it’s time to prevent it from worsening. Contact one of our three Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre locations, including:
- Woolgoolga (02) 6654-0650
- Coffs Harbour (02) 6652-3242
