What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is a situation that needs to be attended to right away by a dental expert. Examples include a knocked-out tooth, a broken or chipped tooth, a loose filling or crown, swollen or bleeding gums, and pain or swelling in the jaw or mouth.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any dental condition or problem that requires immediate medical attention. This may include dental problems like toothache, swollen jaw or mouth, or knocked out tooth.

Common Dental Emergencies

Some of the most common dental problems consider as dental emergencies include:

1. 1. Unexplainable Toothache

Unknown Toothache: A toothache may be a symptom of several dental conditions, including tooth decay, gum disease, or an abscessed tooth. A toothache, however, can occasionally strike suddenly and for no apparent reason. A sinus infection, gum recession, or a cracked tooth may bring on this unexplained toothache. In such circumstances, it is crucial to visit a dentist at Ricafort Dental Group to identify the pain’s primary cause and receive the appropriate care.

It’s critical to seek dental care immediately if you have a toothache that does not go away despite taking painkillers or if you see any swelling, redness, or discharge surrounding the tooth. Your dentist may perform an X-ray to determine the cause of the pain and administer the necessary treatments.

1. 1. Swollen or Bleeding Gums

Bleeding or swollen gums can be a sign of gum disease, a bacterial infection that affects the gums and other supporting structures of your teeth. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes, and certain medications can all lead to gum disease. It can cause tooth loss and other health problems if left untreated.

See an emergency dentist in Murfreesboro, TN, right away if you notice any bleeding or swelling in your gums or if you have bad breath or a persistent metallic taste in your mouth. Depending on the gum disease’s severity, the dentist near you may recommend a deep cleaning procedure termed as scaling and root planing or other treatments.

1. 1. Swollen Jaw or Mouth:

A swollen jaw or mouth can indicate several dental problems, including a salivary gland infection, a cyst or tumor, or an abscessed tooth. Trauma or injury to the face or jaw can also cause it. In addition, a swollen jaw or mouth can be a sign of a severe condition like oral cancer in some cases.

Seek emergency medical attention if you have a swollen jaw or mouth that is accompanied by fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or severe pain. The dentist may take an X-ray or perform other diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of the swelling and provide appropriate treatment, such as antibiotics, drainage, or surgery.

1. 1. Exposed Nerves:

Dental nerve exposure is a common dental problem that can cause severe pain and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Tooth decay, gum disease, or tooth injury can all result in exposed nerves.

If you have severe pain or sensitivity in your tooth or notice any cracks or chips, visit an emergency dentist near you immediately. To treat the exposed nerve and prevent further damage or infection, the dentist in Murfreesboro may recommend a filling, crown, or root canal therapy.

1. 1. Knocked-Out Tooth

If a tooth is knocked out, gently rinse it with water while holding it by the crown (the top part of the tooth). Do not touch the tooth’s root or remove any tissue fragments or debris. If possible, replace the tooth in its socket and secure it by biting down on something.

1. 1. Missing Filling

A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that needs to be treated right away to save the tooth. Hold the tooth by the top of the crown, and give it a gentle water rinse if it has been knocked out. Avoid touching the tooth’s root and leave any tissue or debris in place. If at all possible, replace the tooth in its socket and hold it there by biting down on a piece of gauze or clean cloth.

Put the knocked-out tooth in a glass of milk or saliva; if you cannot, put it back in its socket and take it to the dentist right away. By reattaching the tooth to its socket or by using a dental bridge, Dr. Erwin M.Ricafort may be able to save it.