Emergency dentistry services come in handy when you need to visit the dentist right away. Learn the signs you need emergency dental services here.
Toothaches are no joke. That throbbing, pounding pain that keeps you up at night can quickly go from bad to worse.
But how do you know if your dental emergency requires immediate attention from an emergency dentist?
The emergency dentist in Stockton, CA, provides urgent dental care for toothaches, injuries, and other issues that can't wait. Read on to learn the seven signs you need emergency dentistry!
1. Severe Toothache
Severe toothaches that cause constant throbbing pain are dental emergencies requiring urgent care. This extreme discomfort is the tooth's cry for help that something is wrong.
OTC pain relievers only provide temporary relief and don't address the root cause. Severe toothaches won't resolve without professional dental treatment.
Intense tooth pain usually means dental pulp inflammation or nerve irritation. This could result from deep decay, infection, cracks, fractures, or trauma to the tooth.
Infection
Decay that reaches the inner tooth pulp is extremely painful. Bacteria infecting the nerve and roots cause intense, throbbing pain inside the tooth. Over time, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues, leading to serious health complications.
If you experience swelling, fever, a foul taste in your mouth, and a severe toothache, seek emergency dental care immediately. Ignoring an infected tooth can result in systemic infections or even life-threatening conditions.
Cracked Teeth
Cracked teeth also cause severe pain when the break allows hot/cold liquids or air to hit exposed dentin and nerves. Shifting teeth from grinding or trauma can likewise impinge nerves.
Broken teeth can even expose the tooth's inner pulp, necessitating urgent dental care.
Lost or Loose Filling
Fillings protect vulnerable parts of teeth from becoming infected. They also provide structural support to keep compromised teeth strong and stable. If you lose a filling or it becomes loose, your tooth is more susceptible to decay.
Advanced Trauma
You'll need a
root canal to remove inflamed pulp for irreversible pulpitis. Extraction may be necessary for severe fractures or non-restorable decay. Prompt care from an emergency dentist helps get the tooth comfortable again and avoid loss from spreading infection.
2. Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums aren't always an emergency. But when the blood doesn't stop, it could show advanced gum disease needing urgent dental care.
Stockton, CA, emergency dentists can treat gum infections and perform gum grafting procedures. Leaving gum disease alone leads to irreparable damage, tooth loss, and even health issues.
If left unchecked, bacteria in the infected gums can enter your bloodstream, affecting organs like the heart. Seek immediate dental attention if you experience heavy or persistent gum bleeding.
3. Loose or Knocked Out Adult Tooth
Adult teeth should last a lifetime, so a loose tooth without injury is a serious issue requiring emergency dental care.
A loose permanent tooth may signal advanced gum disease, infection, or other problems destabilizing the root and bone. If left untreated, the tooth will eventually fall out.
Stockton's emergency dentists can diagnose and stabilize loose teeth. This may involve deep cleanings, antibiotics, bite adjustments, or splinting the tooth to neighboring teeth.
4. Swollen Jaw
A
swollen jaw is a common sign of a dental emergency needing prompt attention. Facial swelling around the mouth, jaw, or cheeks shows a dental infection or abscess developing under the gums.
Abscesses form when untreated tooth decay reaches the inner pulp and infects the root and surrounding jaw bone. As pus and bacteria accumulate in the tissues, pressure builds up inside the tooth and jaw. This creates throbbing pain and swelling of the face, cheeks, or neck.
The swelling shows a bacterial infection has spread from the tooth into the jawbone and nearby tissues. The body reacts by rushing immune cells to the area, causing inflammation, redness, and facial puffiness.
If left untreated, the infection can worsen, spread, and potentially become life-threatening. The pressure must be relieved, and an emergency dentist drains the abscess adequately. They will reopen the gum and scrape any infected material from the jawbone.
5. Broken Tooth
Cracked or chipped teeth are common dental emergencies. Don't wait to call the dentist if you damage or break part of a tooth. The sooner it's treated, the better chance of saving it.
Even small chips can progress to bigger fractures. Cracks also extend farther through the tooth if left alone. The damaged area is vulnerable to bacteria and decay.
Going to a Stockton emergency dentist helps them evaluate the break and suggest treatment before it worsens. Minor chips may need smoothing and monitoring. An orthodontist can restore medium fractures with dental bonding, veneers, or crowns.
6. Persistent Mouth Sores
Mouth sores are minor irritations that typically clear up within a week or two. But if sores last longer or seem to worsen over time, it's wise to have them evaluated by an emergency dentist. Severe or persistent mouth sores can signal serious underlying issues needing urgent care.
Prolonged sores could be a sign of oral cancer or precancerous lesions. Other causes include autoimmune disorders, viral/bacterial infections, or less common conditions like lichen planus. Whatever the reason, lingering mouth ulcerations need professional diagnosis and management.
Oral cancer often starts as a
mouth sore that doesn't heal. The longer these lesions remain, the higher the risk of cancer spreading deeper or metastasizing. Ignoring persistent sores allows the disease to advance to a more severe stage.
7. Dental Appliance Repairs
Is orthodontic wire poking your cheek? Retainer break overnight? Denture snap in half? While not painful, appliance emergencies make eating, talking, or functioning impossible.
It's not technically an emergency when a filling or dental crown fails. However, it's wise to call your dentist immediately to replace it before new decay develops in the uncovered area.
Emergency dentists in Stockton can help with broken wires, retainers, and temporary dentures for eating and speaking comfortably. Don't suffer with a broken dental appliance-call for help!
Find Emergency Dentistry in Stockton, CA
Recognizing these signs can save your teeth and prevent further complications. If you're experiencing these symptoms, seek emergency dentistry services.
Galvez Dental is an emergency dentistry in Stockton, CA, dedicated to providing urgent, high-quality dental care when you need it most. Don't let a dental emergency ruin your smile.
Schedule an appointment with us today.
