You take a blow to the mouth and your tooth is hanging on by a thread – this, quite clearly, is a dental emergency. But what if you get hit in the mouth and there’s a lot of blood with no pain? Do you call your Red Bank dentist? Do you wait it out? Here are just some of the times your mouth injury or dental complication could be a dental emergency.
1. Extreme Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is never good, but there are different variations of pain that put it into minor and major categories. You can consider your problem a dental emergency if:
- The pain is constant.
- You have a raised area on the gum.
- You are weak or dizzy.
- You have a fever.
- Your daily life is interrupted.
You could be suffering from a gum or root infection or have severe tooth decay. No matter what the diagnosis ends up being, debilitating tooth pain requires emergency dental care to relieve your pain and save your tooth.
2. Broken or Chipped Tooth
Maybe your toddler cracks you in the mouth with a heavy plastic toy, maybe you fall and hit your mouth. No matter how a tooth ends up broken or chipped, this problem is a real one that isn’t just cosmetically inconvenient. A break in the normal spread of tooth enamel is an opportunity for food or bacteria to make its way into your tooth. This opening could quickly lead to an infection or decay.
You may not want your broken or chipped tooth to be identified as a dental emergency and, as such, will wait it out as long as possible, but the location and severity of the chip makes all the difference. Allow your Red Bank dentist to diagnosis the seriousness of the situation.
3. Damaged Dental Work
If you have a lost filling or a loose crown, it’s problematic and annoying. Gaps like these can make your mouth feel weird and make chewing difficult. However, the biggest issue is that they can let in unwanted substances and turn into infections or cavities.
Even if your missing restoration doesn’t hurt, get it fixed or upgraded sooner rather than later. You might not want an emergency trip to the dentist, but it’s better to make it happen now when your problem is minor rather than later when it’s extremely painful and problematic.
4. Excessive Bleeding
Blood is scary, especially when you’re bleeding from the mouth after an accident or fall. It’s important to understand that there are so many tiny blood vessels in the gums, cheeks, and lips. Even the smallest injuries can look like an erupting volcano because of the excess blood.
Now, if there is redness, swelling, pus, or oozing gums to go along with bleeding, you may be suffering from an abscess or infection. These are problems that are most certainly a dental emergency and could land you in the hospital threatening your overall well-being.
Always Call Your Red Bank Dentist for Reassurance and Help
It’s always better to be safe than sorry when you have a concern about your teeth, gums, or overall oral health. Schedule an emergency dental visit with your Red Bank dentist, if recommended, ensures that whatever is going on is diagnosed and treated quickly so you don’t suffer unnecessary pain or dental restorations. If you suspect a dental emergency, contact Dr. Carole Sherrod Jewell and her team at Red Bank Dentistry right away.
