Whenever you are having a dental issue, the first person you usually call is your dentist. But what if your dentist is on a holiday so you cannot reach him, or it’s a weekend, or it is in the middle of the night? What do you do? You will probably visit an emergency room.
Emergency rooms are meant for emergency medical situations. If you are having a severe toothache or a cracked or chipped tooth, which is painful, you should visit San Antonio ER in Brooks immediately.
So, how can you determine that your case is a dental emergency? Well, keep on reading the article to know when your case warrants a visit to the emergency room immediately.
Signs you need an emergency dental care
Here are some of the most common signs that you need emergency dental care.
1. Abscessed tooth
A dental abscess is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in which a pocket of pus in the tooth leads to an infection. A tooth abscess may cause fever, persistent toothache, tooth sensitivity, tender lymph nodes in the neck, a foul taste in your mouth, and swelling in the face.If you are experiencing this condition, then you should visit an emergency dental as soon as you can because the infection, if not attended to immediately, can spread into the jaw, to the surrounding tissues, and
2. A loose tooth
It’s unlikely for adults to have loose or wiggly teeth. That’s because, unlike children, adults’ teeth have matured and grown into strong tools that can be used to speak, eat, and live a healthy life. So if you notice your teeth starting to feel loose, there could be an underlying issue.
For starters, a loose tooth may be an indication of tooth injury. A loose tooth can be very painful. That’s why any patient with a loose tooth should seek medical attention immediately. Whether it was an injury as a result of a car accident or sports, you should ensure that your teeth are strong and intact.
Loose teeth may also be an indication of infection. To understand what kind of infection it could be, you need to visit the emergency room as quickly as you can so that the doctor determines the symptoms and cause of the infection. Here you can know about the emergency dentist in Elgin.
3. A severe toothache
If you are experiencing this condition, then you should visit an emergency dentist in Elgin because the infection can spread into the jaw, the surrounding tissues, and to other parts of the body. Usually, the abscessed tooth will require a certain form of surgery to make sure the infection is drained and treated correctly.
4. Knocked-out tooth
If your permanent tooth gets knocked out of your mouth, you should visit an emergency room immediately if you cannot reach your dentist. Keep your tooth in a small container with water or milk and some salt, and then go to the emergency department immediately if you want to save your tooth.
5. Cracked or chipped tooth
These can result in soft-tissue damage to your inner cheeks, gums, tongue, and lips. If your cracked or chipped tooth gets exposed, the pulp can attract bacteria, causing an infection that may travel down to the root of the tooth. Fully or partially dislodged teeth can usually be returned to their original setting if a patient gets dental care immediately. So even if you cannot make an appointment with your dentist, you need to make a trip to the emergency room immediately.
6. A swollen jaw
A swollen jaw is an indication of a serious sign of infection. If you are having a swollen jaw, accompanied by fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, you should visit an emergency room immediately.
A salivary gland infection is a bacterial infection caused by a blockage in the salivary glands. This blockage can prevent the saliva from doing its job, which is to help break down food and wash away the bacteria. This is why it’s advisable to seek emergency treatment so that the doctor can examine the symptoms.
What is not a dental emergency?
If the problem you are experiencing can wait for the next few days when you can be seen by your dentist, then it is not a dental emergency. Sometimes dental issues that seem crucial can actually wait for a couple of days, as long as you care for yourself properly.
For instance, a cracked or chipped tooth is an emergency case if the fracture is too painful, or it has left sharp fragment that is may cause trauma inside your mouth. If the tooth is chipped, but is not painful, a patient can wait to see their dentists.
Additionally, a toothache can wait for treatment if the pain is not severe and the patient doesn’t have symptoms of an abscess such as swelling of the face, a high fever, or bumps on the gum. If you have lost your crown or filling, you can wait a few days to see your dentist.
How can you avoid potential dental emergencies?
One of the best ways you can prevent dental emergencies is by staying proactive in your oral care routine and having routine check-ups with your dentist. During these routine check-ups, your dentist will check for any signs of tooth decay, infection, and gum disease, as well as loose fillings and crown.
While a comprehensive dental care routine can help eliminate these circumstances, dental emergencies may still occur. If you are dealing with a dental emergency, time is of great importance if you want to prevent the situation from worsening. That’s why if you have a severe toothache or any other symptom that warrants emergency attention, visit the emergency room immediately.
