Dental health is vital for the overall well-being of people, and a plethora of people living in California are uncertain about when a dental problem calls for an emergency. Comprehending when to seek emergency dental care can prevent any further complications, get rid of pain, and safeguard overall dental health.
In this blog, we are going to take a closer look at some signs of dental emergencies, which will guide people on when to contact an emergency dental care Burlingame immediately so that people do not end up complicating the whole situation further, which will make treatment more costly and extensive.
Recognizing the Signs of a Dental Emergency
Although people must not wait to visit a dentist if they are facing any discomfort, some signs make it easier to determine if the person must go for a dental emergency.
Severe toothache
A toothache that has excellent intensity and persists for an extended period indicates some underlying dental severe problem that needs immediate dental attention. Minor toothaches can result from gum irritation, but severe pain could indicate infection, significant decay, or an abscess.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
Accidents often take place, which could result in broken or chipped teeth, which is a pretty common dental emergency. It could be because of a sports injury, a fall, or biting someone hard, and a fractured tooth can cause sensitivity and pain.
If someone experiences it, rinse the mouth with warm water, save any pieces of the tooth that are left, and see a dentist as soon as possible. Immediate treatment can probably save the teeth and restore their functionality.
Knocked-Out Tooth
One of the most urgent dental emergencies is a knocked-out tooth. If a person’s permanent tooth is knocked out, time becomes extremely vital.
Take the teeth, hold them by the crown, rinse them gently if they are dirty, and try reinserting them into the socket. If reinsertion is not a possibility, keep the tooth moist in a saline solution or milk and rush to a dentist. Taking quick action can often save the tooth.
Lost Filling or Crown
Fillings and crowns are meant to protect the weakened teeth. If the crowns and fillings fall out, the affected tooth becomes vulnerable to infection and damage. Although losing the filling or crown itself does not cause any pain, it can cause discomfort and leave the tooth exposed.
It is vital to keep the area clean, utilize some dental cement to cover the cavity temporarily, if possible, and immediately go to a dentist for a replacement.
Abscess
Some people are already aware of what an abscess is. For others, it is essentially a severe infection that generally appears as a painful pus-filled swelling on the gums. Abscess can result from trauma, untreated cavities, and gum disease.
The symptoms include fever, severe toothache, a bad taste in the mouth, and swollen lymph nodes. An abscess can be severe and even life-threatening if left untreated. An immediate dentist intervention is needed to drain out the abscess, treat the infection, and prevent any further spread.
Soft Tissue Injury
Injuries to the soft tissues like lips, tongue, or gum, which result in lacerations, bleeding, and swelling, need immediate attention, too.
Rinse the mouth using warm water, press on the affected region with a cloth to stop bleeding, and utilize a cold compress to reduce the swelling. If the injury is severe and the bleeding continues, go for emergency dental care or go to an emergency room.
When and Why to Get Emergency Dental Care Attention?
A plethora of scenarios arise where seeking emergency dental care turns into a necessity, such as persistent pain and swelling, uncontrollable bleeding, severe trauma, or infection signs, and delaying it any further would result in more complications. Emergency dental care prevents it and helps to improve and restore to normal.