It's often difficult to tell whether the tooth pain you're feeling is normal or something that you should be concerned about. Sometimes, you're only experiencing a small amount of pain, but that can quickly turn into excruciating toothache if left untreated.
If you need emergency dental care, you can
contact Expressions Dental Care, and one of our experienced and friendly dentists will see you same day.
But how do you know when to seek emergency dental care? Knowing exactly what an emergency is and what isn't can help you decide whether you should call an emergency dentist or wait until the morning to book a regular appointment.
Here are some of the most common signs of emergency dental care:
1. You have a broken or loose tooth
A loose tooth typically indicates injury or a localized infection. Whether you have knocked out your tooth playing sports or as a result of an accident, you want to make sure that you save your tooth by putting it back into the socket or in a container with milk until you get to the practice for an emergency dental appointment.
If one or more of your teeth are loose, that may be a sign of a localized infection. It is important to see a dentist straight away to understand what kind of infection you are dealing with, especially if it causes you a great deal of pain or swelling.
2. You are experiencing an excruciating toothache
Not all toothaches are created equal, but if you are in what feels like excruciating pain that doesn't allow you to sleep or concentrate, it's a sign that you should seek emergency dental care. If you only have a minor toothache, you can try to manage it with the help of over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin that will calm down the pain until you see your dentist.
3. Your jaw is swollen
Jaw swelling can be an indication of a serious, particularly if it's coupled with a bad taste in your mouth, trouble swallowing or breathing, and even fever. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek emergency dental care immediately because infections may spread and even be life-threatening.
4. You have a dental abscess
Abscesses are very painful infections, which usually occur at the root of a tooth. They are often caused by cavities that are left untreated or sometimes by severe gum disease. In some cases, chipped teeth or any other type of trauma may cause an abscess. Some of the most common symptoms of a dental abscess include the following taste in the mouth, fever, and swollen glands. You should seek immediate treatment if you believe you have a dental abscess because in most cases you will require some form of surgery. The dentist will need to drain the infection and make sure the area of the infection is treated properly.
5. You have a metal taste in your mouth
If you experience a metal taste in your mouth, this can be a sign that some of your metal feelings have become loose. It is essential to seek emergency dental care if you notice this taste in your mouth because open fillings may cause infections and other cavities. If you ignore it, you may be likely to experience a severe toothache in the very near future, which may require a root canal to treat.
6. You have a canker sore that isn't healing
Most people experience canker sores from time to time, but if you notice that there aren't healing or become effective, you should be seeking emergency dental care. This is particularly important if you have an open sore that has been there for more than two weeks and doesn't show signs of healing.
7. You have a numb tooth
If you begin to feel like one of your teeth goes numb after experiencing a painful toothache, it may be a sign that you have an infection that has spread to the root of the tooth. A lack of feeling is not a good sign because it shows that your nerves might be affected, so you should seek emergency care straight away.
If you're in pain or have knocked out a tooth, and need emergency dental care in
Reston,
Herndon,
Fairfax,
Sterling or
Chantilly please contact Expressions Dental Care. We will do our best to diagnose you as quickly as possible and treat the tooth so you can return home pain-free.
