You’ve been experiencing some out-of-the-ordinary changes in your oral health, and you’re wondering if they should be treated as a dental emergency. While you take the health of your teeth and gums seriously, you don’t want to get alarmed about what may be a minor issue. As you continue reading, an emergency dentist in Marion will clear the air by listing some of the common warning signs of dental trauma.
A Loose Tooth
When you were a child, having a loose tooth was a celebratory situation. Now that you’re an adult, it elicits the exact opposite response, as it should be considered as a dental emergency. If you find yourself in this predicament, discontinue using that side of your mouth and reach out to an emergency dentist to request a visit.
A Severe Toothache
If your tooth is throbbing, it’s usually a sign of advanced decay that has entered the pulp area where the nerve and canals are housed. Before the problem gets worse and develops into an abscess, it’s important to be treated.
To temporarily stabilize the situation, you can rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution and take ibuprofen to ease the discomfort.
Intense Jaw Pain
In the event you receive a serious blow to the face or suffer a bad fall and suspect you have a broken jaw, you should immediately head to the emergency room. To prevent any movement that could make matters worse, you can tie a soft piece of cloth around your head.
An Abscessed Tooth
The pain from an abscessed tooth can be even more intense than a typical toothache, and worse, it can radiate throughout your face. If it’s allowed to travel to other parts of your body, it could potentially become life-threatening. Thus, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek treatment. Until you can be seen by an emergency dentist, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease the discomfort.
Constant Headaches
If you’ve been stressed and you have constant headaches, there is a chance that you’re dealing with bruxism (teeth grinding). Over time, the unnatural pressure from your upper and lower teeth grinding can wear down the enamel (the protective outer layer), which can cause radiating pain.
If the problem is ignored, it can result in advanced wear that leads to tooth loss, so it’s of the utmost importance to seek treatment.
There’s never a good time for a dental emergency to occur, but by being able to recognize the symptoms, you can at least take action faster and seek the expert help required to fully recover.
About the Author
Dr. James Leon is a graduate of West Virginia University. After earning his dental degree, he went on to pursue advanced training from the Frank Spear Institute, Pete Dawson Academy and Ross Nash Teaching Academy. With over 30 years of experience practicing dentistry, Dr. Leon has seen his fair share of dental emergencies. Thus, he’s equipped with the knowledge and skills to help you fully recover. He treats patients at Cross Creek Dental Care, and he can be reached for more information through his website.