Dental problems can appear suddenly or gradually. These issues may cause discomfort, pain, or swelling around the mouth, gums, and jaws. While some dental issues can wait until your next appointment, others need immediate attention. These urgent situations are called dental emergencies.
A dental emergency may involve severe pain, bleeding, infection, or trauma to the mouth. Many people are unsure when to seek emergency help. This may cause a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Dental emergencies require immediate care to prevent severe damage or complications. Ignoring the signs can lead to complications such as infections spreading to other body parts.
Knowing when to seek emergency dental treatment can help protect oral health and avoid costly procedures later. When you seek emergency dental care, your dentist can help you address your symptoms and treat the underlying issues.
The following are some common indicators that you have a dental emergency:
You Have Severe Tooth Pain
An intense and sudden toothache is one of the strongest indicators of a dental emergency. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong. You may have an underlying oral health issue when tooth pain becomes sharp, throbbing, or constant.
You may notice the pain worsening at night or while eating. Sometimes it radiates to your jaw or ear. This makes it hard to sleep or focus. If over-the-counter pain medications do not offer relief for your pain, you will need emergency dental care. Severe tooth pain can result from:
- An abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth happens when bacteria infect the tooth pulp. The infection can cause a pus buildup. This can result in swelling and throbbing pain.
- Deep cavity. The cavity develops when tooth decay hits the interior of your tooth and exposes the nerves. This causes sharp or constant pain, especially with hot, cold, or sweet food.
- Cracked enamel. A cracked enamel can cause sudden pain when biting or chewing. You may also feel sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
- Trauma. Tooth pain can occur when your tooth is hit or injured. This condition could happen during an accident, sports activity, or a fall. The tooth may crack, loosen, or move slightly in its socket.
A quick treatment is necessary for swelling, fever, or a foul taste. Ignoring the pain can cause tooth loss or a severe infection. Early dental treatment can save you and protect your dental health.
Swollen Gums, Jaw, or Face
Swelling in your mouth or face may signal an infection or inflammation. Gum or facial swelling may appear suddenly and worsen gradually. You might notice redness, tenderness, or a lump in the mouth tissues. Sometimes the swelling could extend to your jaw or neck.
A common cause of swelling on the gums and jaw is a dental abscess. This is a pocket of pus that forms due to bacterial infection. You might also have difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth when you have a dental abscess. These symptoms can be dangerous if the infection spreads beyond the tooth.
Swelling that is accompanied by pain or fever is an emergency. Infections in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause serious health risks. You should rinse your mouth with warm salt water and seek emergency care if you experience these symptoms. Prompt care can stop the infection from spreading further.
You Have a Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is a typical dental emergency. When you suffer trauma or an injury that knocks your tooth out, you must act quickly. The issue can arise after a fall, sports accident, or sudden blow to the mouth. If your tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the root.
You should then rinse it gently with water and try to place it back in its socket. If reinserting is impossible, you can store the tooth in milk or saliva to keep it moist. After following these steps, you should visit your dentist within 30 minutes. The tooth root dies quickly. Therefore, seeking emergency care can help save the tooth.
The dentist might reattach it successfully, allowing you to enjoy your natural tooth. If your tooth is beyond saving, the dentist can prepare you for a replacement procedure like a dental implant.
You Have a Broken, Cracked, or Chipped Tooth
A cracked or broken tooth may not seem serious to many people. However, it could quickly turn into an emergency. Cracks expose the inner layers of your tooth. The result leaves the nerves vulnerable to bacteria and infection. You might feel sharp pain when biting or sensitivity to heat, cold, or pressure when you have a cracked tooth.
Breaks can happen from biting something hard, an accident, or weakened enamel. Even a small chip can cause long-term damage. If a large portion of the tooth breaks, you may experience severe bleeding and pain. If your tooth breaks, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. You should avoid eating on that side, but instead seek emergency dental care.
When consulting your dentist, you should take the broken tooth pieces. Depending on the severity of the damage, your dentist may use bonding, a crown, or a root canal to save your broken tooth.
You Experience Uncontrolled Bleeding in the Mouth
Slight bleeding may be normal after tooth extraction or oral surgery. However, heavy or prolonged bleeding is a dental emergency. If you experience continuous bleeding from your mouth or gums, you should contact your dentist. Bleeding may result from:
- Trauma
- Gum disease
- An injury during eating or sports
If you ignore continuous bleeding from the mouth and gums, you could suffer the following complications:
- Excessive blood loss. Constant bleeding can lead to noticeable blood loss. Over time, this may cause weakness, dizziness, or fatigue.
- Infection risk. Open bleeding areas allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This can increase your risk of serious oral or systemic infections.
- Gum and done damage. Continuous bleeding signals advanced gum disease. When left unattended, it destroys the bone and tissues that support the teeth.
- Tooth loss. When gums weaken and recede due to constant bleeding, your teeth may loosen and eventually fall out.
If you experience constant bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. If the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes, you must seek immediate dental help.
If you are taking blood thinners, mouth bleeding presents a higher risk. Therefore, you should stop taking the medication and seek prompt care. You should avoid aspirin, as it may worsen bleeding. Instead, stay calm and head to an emergency dentist or hospital.
You Have a Loose or Partially Dislodged Tooth
Adult teeth should not move from their original position. You have severe underlying issues if your tooth feels loose or out of place. Tooth loosening could mean that you have damage to the supporting ligaments or bone. This can happen after a blow to the face or in advanced gum disease. Pain or bleeding will be a typical result of loose and dislocated teeth. You may also alter how you align your teeth.
Though the tooth is not entirely out, you need emergency dental care. You should never twist or touch the tooth because it can worsen it. When you get to your dentist, they may stabilize the tooth using splints. Alternatively, they can perform other treatments to help it reattach securely. Seeking emergency care for a loose or dislodged tooth increases your chances of saving it.
You Experience Jaw Pain or Difficulty Opening the Mouth
Persistent jaw pain may signify that you have severe dental problems. These include:
- An infection
- A fractured jaw
- Temporomandibular joint disorder
Sometimes, swelling may accompany the pain. You may also experience clicking sounds, stiffness, or swelling around your ear or jawline. Swelling makes it harder to open your mouth or chew your food correctly. If you experience sudden jaw pain, you should seek emergency dental care.
Before you get to the dental office, you should apply ice to reduce discomfort. Jaw pain that worsens over time can signal an abscess or bone infection. Your dentist or oral surgeon will take X-rays to find the cause. Also, they will provide immediate treatment. Seeking immediate care can relieve the pain quickly. Additionally, it can lower your risk of developing complications.
You Have a Dental Abscess or Pus Formation
A dental abscess is a severe oral infection that occurs when bacteria invade the tooth’s pulp. Common symptoms of a dental abscess include:
- Throbbing pain
- Swelling around the gums
- Fever
- A bad taste in the mouth
The infection can spread to your jaw, neck, or bloodstream. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, you could suffer life-threatening complications. You might notice a pimple-like bump on your gums when you have an abscess.
You should not pop or drain the abscess. Instead, you can rinse your mouth with salt water and call your dentist. When you reach the debt office, they may perform the following emergency treatments:
- Draining the abscess
- Cleaning the infection
- Prescribing antibiotics
Sometimes, the dentist can perform root canal therapy on the damaged tooth. A root canal removes the infected tooth, which saves the tooth from further damage. When you act fast, you could prevent the infection from spreading and protect your overall health.
You Have Damaged or Lost a Dental Restoration
When you have a damaged or lost tooth, your dentist can recommend restoration using fillings, crowns, or bridges. These restorations protect the tooth and restore normal function. However, crowns, fillings, and bridges can become loose or fall out over time. Losing a restoration leaves the underlying tooth exposed to extreme temperatures and bacteria.
When a crown or filling falls off, you may experience a sharp pain and sensitivity. Also, they could leave a jagged edge that irritates your tongue or gums. Without the restoration, bacteria can enter the tooth and cause decay or infection.
For this reason, having a lost or damaged restoration is an emergency. You should see your dentist right away if you encounter this problem. You can temporarily hold it in place with a tiny bit of toothpaste before visiting your dentist. You should avoid chewing on the affected side of your mouth and keep the area clean.
Losing a filling may expose the tooth’s nerves, which causes sharp pain. You can use dental wax or sugar-free gum to cover the hole until you reach your dentist. Emergency care will restore your crown or filling and prevent further problems.
Persistent Bad Taste or Odor
A constant foul taste or smell in your mouth can signal an infection. Common causes of a foul taste or odor in the mouth include:
- Decayed teeth
- Gum disease
- A hidden abscess
Sulfur compounds released by bacteria may cause an odor in the mouth and gums. Sulfur compounds released by bacteria may cause the odor. If these symptoms persist, you will need emergency dental care. Ignoring the symptoms allows bacteria to spread. These symptoms could result in tooth loss or other dental complications.
You can rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash if you experience a foul odor or taste. However, rinsing will only provide temporary relief. When you visit your dentist, they can identify the exact cause of your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Find a Reliable Emergency Dentist Near Me
Dental emergencies are defined as severe oral health issues that occur suddenly. These emergencies may include severe tooth pain, jaw swelling, broken teeth, and lost restorations. You must seek immediate dental care if you notice any of these issues. Sometimes, the emergencies result from an underlying problem or trauma to the mouth.
Before reaching your dentist, you should keep your mouth clean and avoid straining the affected side of the mouth. Doing this can increase your chances of saving your teeth and preventing further complications.
Your oral health is a critical part of your overall well-being. Therefore, you will not entrust it to any dentist. When you seek the services of an experienced dentist, you can receive proper treatment to save your tooth. Also, you can avoid further complications. At the Hawthorne Dentist, we offer our clients safe and reliable emergency dental services. Contact us today at 310-775-2557 from Hawthorne, CA, to schedule your appointment.
