Five Questions to Ask Yourself to Figure Out if You’re Having a Dental Emergency

Some dental conditions are emergencies, while others are not. In some cases, you need emergency dental care immediately, while other times, you can wait days or weeks to get in with your regular dentist. Unfortunately, many people do not know what constitutes a dental emergency and what doesn’t.

If you’re wondering whether you’re in the middle of a dental emergency or not, ask yourself these five questions. This will help you figure out whether you need care with an emergency dentist in Mesa or if you can wait to see your regular family dentist.

Is There Any Swelling in the Face or Jaw Area?

Swelling in the face or jaw area can be a sign of many different conditions, including a broken jaw or a dental abscess. A dental abscess is a serious condition which requires immediate care to prevent the infection from spreading to your bloodstream and other parts of your body. If you have swelling that feels warm to the touch and/or is accompanied by tooth or gum pain, you could very well have a dental abscess.

Does the Pain Subside With Home Remedies?

If you are experiencing pain in your tooth or gums, there are many home remedies you can use to help relieve the pain. This includes using an ice pack, taking over-the-counter pain relievers and/or using a warm saltwater rinse. If the pain subsides with home remedies, you may simply have tooth sensitivity or a cavity, neither of which are dental emergencies. However, if your tooth pain doesn’t subside, you may need emergency dental care.

Is the Tooth Out of Place?

As an adult, you should not have teeth that are loose or out of place. If you a tooth wiggles around in your mouth, has fallen out or has been knocked out, this definitely counts as an emergency. It is important to get emergency dental care in this instance, as it can be the difference between your tooth being saved and being able to be reattached and your tooth not being able to be saved. If your tooth is loose, do not wiggle it or attempt to remove it. Leave it in place and attempt not to move it as much as possible.

Has Your Tooth Gone Numb?

One of the lesser known signs that you are experiencing a dental emergency is that your tooth has gone numb. This can be a serious sign that there is a problem with the nerve, or that the nerve and/or tooth has or is dying. Most people experience dental pain before their tooth suddenly goes numb. If you have been experiencing tooth discomfort and suddenly feel your tooth go numb, it is important to seek treatment from a professional right away. This is also a good reason to talk to your dentist whenever you feel tooth pain.

Are You Bleeding Excessively?

It is fairly common to experience minor bleeding in the gum area or tooth region when you brush or floss your teeth. This may be a sign of gum disease, so you should bring it up with your dentist at your next regular appointment. However, if you are brushing or flossing, or are hit in the mouth, and begin to bleed excessively, you may have a dental emergency. If you’re bleeding, apply pressure with a dampened cloth. If it does not stop or subside in about five to ten minutes, you will want to be seen by an emergency dentist.

Conclusion

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you need to be seen by an emergency dentist in Phoenix right away. Here at Dental Brothers, we are a leading dental practice in Arizona. We specialize in dental implants, sedation dentistry, and emergency dental work. If you are in need of an emergency dentist, call us now.