If you have experienced an injury to one or more of your teeth, but don’t know if it requires emergency dental care, there are several warning signs that indicate you should be seen as soon as possible.
- Extreme Pain. If you have knocked out or broken a permanent tooth, it is often extremely painful. Getting emergency dental care not only helps you manage the pain, but may also help save your tooth. Place your knocked-out tooth in a cup of milk until you can receive emergency dental care, as this will increase the chances that the tooth can be reinserted.
- Bleeding. If your gums are extremely painful, swollen, and are bleeding profusely, it could be a sign of periodontal disease.
- Swollen Jaw. A swollen jaw could be the result of an infection, swollen lymph nodes, or in extremely rare cases, cancer. It is also a sign of gum disease and should be evaluated as soon as possible.
- Toothache. Many of us experience mild tooth pain from time to time, but if the severity increases or the aching does not go away, it may be time for emergency dental care. If you are experiencing fever, tooth sensitivity, and swelling, it could be an abscessed tooth.
- Metal Taste in Your Mouth. Metal fillings were widely used years ago and if you have a metal taste in your mouth, it is possible that an old filling has become loose or has cracked. Prolonging a visit to the dentist could expose your tooth to cavities and infections or even result in the need for a root canal if left too long.
- Popping Jaw. If you feel a popping sensation or your jaw is locked, you should get emergency dental care as soon as possible. If you suspect that you have TMJ, you may experience pain when chewing, or hear a clicking or grinding noise when the jaw is open. If your TMJ is severe enough, it can cause your jaw to slip into a position where it is stuck.
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms and think you may need emergency dental care, please call us immediately at the office of Paul D. Nifong, Jr., DDS.