Tooth Pain Too Much to Bear? It May Be Time to Seek Emergency Dental Service
You know when your teeth or gums don’t feel right, but you may not know if what you feel constitutes a dental emergency. Dental emergencies are potentially serious situations involving the teeth, jaws, or gums that require immediate care to prevent the condition from worsening and causing permanent damage. While there are urgent dental health situations that cause discomfort (like a lost crown or filling or a dull toothache), they’re unlikely to require immediate emergency dental service. However, call your dentist immediately if you’re experiencing the following symptoms or conditions.
Severe Dental Pain
Toothache pain can range from mild to incredibly severe — maybe worse than any other pain you’ve ever felt. If your dental pain keeps you from working or going to school or wakes you up at night, you should see your dentist immediately.
Pain signals that the central portion of your tooth, the pulp, is inflamed. The pulp contains sensitive nerve endings that hurt like crazy when exposed. You may need a root canal or another emergency procedure to ease the pain and prevent infection.
Chipped or Knocked Out Tooth
Untreated dental trauma, such as split, chipped, loosened, or knocked-out teeth, can cause pain, infection, further tooth loss, and other severe issues over time. If one of your permanent teeth is knocked out or damaged, you can take measures to save the tooth before you see the dentist. However, you should find emergency dental services ASAP to reduce the risk of infection and increase the chances of keeping your natural tooth.
Abscess or Infection
A dental abscess, a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, typically appears as a pimple-like swelling on the gums. You may also notice redness in your gums, pain, and swelling in your jaw or cheek. Because an abscess won’t go away on its own, you must see your dentist as soon as possible. If left untreated, the abscess can cause serious infection in the teeth, jawbone, and surrounding tissues.
The Bass Dentistry team knows how stressful and uncomfortable dental emergencies can be, so we’re ready and willing to help when you need crucial care. While we’re not currently able to offer after-hours or weekend emergency care, we prioritize patients with urgent needs during our regular office hours.
Give us a call — we will ease your pain (and your mind!) with a same-day appointment and a plan for follow-up care if needed. Not sure if what you’re experiencing is a dental emergency? Reach out to us, and we’ll help you assess your symptoms and offer support to get the urgent dental care you need.
Healthy Gums,
Healthy Life
If dental health is important to you and your family, take steps to know how to keep your gums healthy. Gum health is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and overall good dental hygiene. Brush and floss multiple times per day, avoid tobacco products, and use a therapeutic mouthwash.
If you want to know more about maintaining a healthy smile, book an appointment today with Bass Dentistry.
