If you or someone you love experiences sudden dental pain, it can be difficult to tell if you need immediate care or not. While it’s certainly understandable that people want to avoid an unexpected trip to the dentist, some situations shouldn’t be ignored. In this blog, you’ll learn about the most common signs of a true dental emergency so you can know when to see a dentist right away and when you can wait!
Swelling
An abscess or swelling in your face or cheek can indicate an infection, which can become very dangerous if it’s not treated in time. In some cases, the infection can spread and even become life-threatening, so it’s important to contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
If they determine that an infection is present, they’ll prescribe antibiotics right away before working on the tooth itself.
Broken Tooth or Filling
Clearly, if you’re in pain after breaking a tooth or filling, you’ll want to schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible. While you’re waiting to be seen, you can use over-the-counter pain medication as directed and cover any sharp edges with dental wax from the drugstore.
But even if you aren’t in pain, a broken tooth is more susceptible to breaking again and requiring major dental work to fix it. A small chip or break can usually be repaired with a filling, but if it becomes larger, a dental crown or even a root canal may be necessary.
The sooner you see an emergency dentist in Plano, the less likely this is to happen!
Severe Pain
There’s a difference between occasional sensitivity that comes and goes and severe pain. If you have pain that prevents you from sleeping, eating, or going to work, call a dentist for the first available appointment.
If you “wait it out” in these situations, the problem can become worse and cause more damage in the end.
Bleeding
If you have heavy bleeding that doesn’t subside after 15 minutes of applying pressure, go to the nearest hospital ER or urgent care center first. Once you’ve been treated by a medical doctor, you can call a dentist for any restorative care you need.
Emergency dental care isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, but it will get you out of pain quickly and also protect your long-term oral health, which makes it well worth it!
About the Author
Dr. Anita Naik Madhav is a general and emergency dentist in Plano who combines 25 years of experience with a gentle touch to provide outstanding dentistry. She’s treated countless emergencies and can always put her patients at ease, no matter the situation. If you have any questions about dental emergencies, she can be reached via her website.
