Like any urgent situation, dental emergencies tend to happen when you least expect them. When you need an emergency dentist, getting immediate professional care is crucial. Sometimes even seemingly small problems can turn into a major concern. Neglecting your condition could cause further pain and damage, and in some cases, could lead to serious oral issues that can put your health at risk.
Although not every dental issue is an emergency, alleviating acute or throbbing pain, severe infection, and saving a tooth are considered dental emergencies that need to be dealt with promptly to prevent the situation from getting worse.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common dental conditions that you should never ignore.
Chipped or broken teeth
Even though your teeth are protected with white enamel that is the hardest substance found in the human body, teeth can still get chipped or broken. In fact, tooth fractures are one of the most common emergency dental situations. Whether it happens in an accident, while playing sports, by biting into something hard, or from grinding your teeth while sleeping, when a tooth gets chipped or broken, it can cause problems if not treated quickly.
Bacteria can get in and lead to tooth infection, sharp edges can injure your mouth or tongue, and if a large enough piece of the tooth breaks off, it can damage the nerve. A big break that goes beyond the enamel and into the nerve can cause excruciating tooth pain. If it cracks below the gum line, it probably requires tooth extraction and may need to be replaced with a dental implant.
Toothaches
A toothache that causes you a great deal of discomfort or lingering soreness for longer than a day or two indicates that you need to see an emergency dentist.
Sharp, persistent pain that increases in severity and never goes away could be a sign of a serious dental problem like an abscess or exposed nerve that requires seeing a dentist as soon as possible.
Tooth decay leads to the formation of cavities that will continue to get bigger. Over time, when exposed to bacteria in the mouth, they can cause tooth infection if not treated.
Toothaches can be extremely painful and tell you that it is time to get to an emergency dental clinic.
Infected teeth
A tooth infection or abscess is typically the result of decay or a cracked tooth. Symptoms include swelling of the affected area and throbbing or shooting pain that radiates into the jaw, neck, or ear. Heat, redness, and trouble chewing are other signs of infected or inflamed teeth.
A tooth infection that is left untreated can spread to other parts of the body. This can be extremely serious and even life-threatening. Fever, headache, and dizziness are indications that a tooth infection has spread.
Contact us!
If you’re dealing with a dental emergency, it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible to reduce the risk of permanent damage to your teeth. Receiving treatment in a timely manner will increase your chances of restoring your dental health and function.
At Dentistry at Consilium in Scarborough, we offer emergency dentistry services, including the treatment of tooth pain, infection, and fracture, as well as providing a wide range of other dental services.
Patients with serious dental problems are encouraged to see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. In most cases, we can provide same-day emergency care to help your keep your teeth and prevent further damage.
You can call our office at 416-296-1080 or book an appointment online!
300 Consilium Place #103
Scarborough, ON M1H 3G2