Common Signs You Should See an Emergency Dentist Before the Situation Worsens

Toothaches have a tendency to strike when you least expect them. Sometimes it starts as a mild ache when chewing or a slight sensitivity when something cold has been drunk. You shrug it off, thinking that within a day or two it will just disappear. But by the time you realize it is not going away, the pain has intensified – and you are searching middle-of-the-night for help.

That’s the thing about dental emergencies-they rarely happen at a time that is convenient. Of course, acting quickly can make the difference between a simple fix and a serious painful complication. Spire Dental Care-Langley

Patients often come in saying they wish they had called sooner. Knowing the warning signs can help you avoid that regret.

Let’s look at some clear indicators that it’s time to see an Emergency Dentist before things get worse.

1. Constant or Intense Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is a very common warning sign. If your tooth pain has lasted longer than one day, or is severe enough to wake you while you are sleeping or to interrupt your daily activities, then that is a bad sign when it comes to your tooth.

Constant tooth pain can mean there is some deep decay, an infection of the root, or a cracked tooth. The longer you wait, the deeper that problem can go, sometimes as deep as the nerve or even up into the jaw bone.

A qualified Langley Dentist will be able to determine the cause, alleviate your pain, and preserve your tooth before further invasive treatment must be considered.

2. Swelling in the Gums or Face

Swelling often implies infection; it might start near one particular tooth or might spread along your jaw and cheek. Individuals also feel a kind of pressure, tenderness, and at times warmth around the swelling site.

This is an indication of an abscess, which is a pocket of infection that, if untreated, can become serious. If the swelling is bad enough that you can hardly open your mouth or swallow, do not wait to make a phone call to an emergency dentist.

Prompt treatment halts not only the infection but also prevents its spread to other areas of the body.

3. A Cracked or Broken Tooth

Although a chip or crack of a tooth may not hurt right away, it exposes soft inner areas of the tooth to bacteria invasion and rapid decay or infection.

If you can actually see the break and/or there is a sharp edge that cuts your tongue, you should definitely go see the Dentist. Even small fractures should be looked at, especially if the pain increases upon eating or when biting.

The sooner you see your Langley Dentist, the higher the chance of saving the tooth without extensive restoration.

4. Continued Bleeding

If you notice minor bleeding when brushing or flossing, it could be an indication that you’ve developed gingivitis or you could be more susceptible to having sensitive gums. If you notice bleeding continuously from your mouth or bleeding is of a more severe nature or is abnormal, this is never normal. If you have blood coming from your gums while brushing or flossing, or if your gums are dark red, swollen or tender, you could be entering into the more severe phase of gum disease, or there is some demand trauma.

Uncontrolled bleeding is also an emergency that certainly requires a dental visit. Uncontrolled bleeding could originate from dental trauma or from when a tooth was extracted in the case of bleeding that does not cease. Severe pain will be avoided and bleeding can be safely stopped if an Emergency Dentist is contacted.

5. A Knocked-Out or Loose Tooth

Few things are quite as alarming as losing a tooth, unexpectedly. Whether it be due to a fall for sports injury or some other accident, acting quickly in the first 30 minutes can really make a difference in your ability to save the tooth, compared to the prospect of losing the tooth, forever.

If at all possible, very gently place the tooth back in the socket. If that is not possible, put the tooth in some milk to keep it, moist and get to the clinic. Never scrub or dry it.

Spire Dental Care Langley dental team treats such emergencies precisely and urgently. An experienced Emergency Dentist should be able to reinsert the tooth if treatment is sufficiently timely.

6. Severe Sensitivity to Hot or Cold

While it’s normal for the teeth to be a little bit sensitive from time to time, the sharp sting one feels long afterwards is not normal. Long-term sensitivity can indicate that there’s enamel erosion on a cracked tooth, irritated pulp, or inflammation of a nerve.

If you find yourself avoiding hot drinks and cold water both because of the pain, it’s better to pay a visit to your Dentist before the sensitivity gets worse. Early intervention by a Langley Dentist will prevent future root canals or extractions.

7. Swollen or painful jaw

Infections, impacted wisdom teeth, and even TMJ issues are other possible causes of jaw pain or stiffness. If there’s swelling or pain extending towards your ear or neck, it can be a serious infection that requires immediate treatment.

Your Emergency Dentist will carry out X-rays in order to locate the cause and provide relief before the condition worsens.

8. Bad Breath or a Metallic Taste That Doesn’t Go Away

A metallic taste in the mouth that is always there, or bad breath that doesn’t go away after brushing, may be due to an abscess of the tooth or a decaying tooth. Such conditions are usually associated with a bad taste because of pus or infection.

Unfortunately, it would be a mistake to think that the signs will just go away on their own, far from it, as in many cases, the bacteria can travel to adjacent teeth or gum. Your Langley Dentist will help you eliminate the infection and restore freshness to your mouth, and breath health, if you seek help sooner than later.

9. Lost Crowns or broken fillings

Once a filling or crown falls out, the tooth is exposed to both bacteria and sensitivity. It may not hurt right away, but it could result in sharp pain or infection within just days from the exposed nerves.

An emergency dentist will replace or repair your restoration to maintain protection for your tooth. Try not to chew on that side until you’ve been seen — and if possible, save the crown or filling as it may be reattached.

10. Unknown Pain or Pressure

Sometimes, dental discomfort is not always as obvious. You may feel the pressure in your jaw or sinus area and not really know exactly why. This may be in relation to an infection, grinding, or an issue with the underlying tooth.

Rather than guessing, it’s always safer to get checked by your Dentist. A quick visit to your Langley Dentist can reveal the cause and prevent small issues from developing into emergencies later.

When in Doubt, Don’t Wait

The reality is that dental issues rarely get better on their own. What starts as a mild annoyance can be incredibly painful in the middle of the night and if you are ever doubtful there is no harm in calling an emergency appointment.

The emergency dentists at Spire Dental Care – Langley are experts and believe dental pain cannot wait. They can provide prompt, caring, true professional attention to any dental concern, whether, for example, you have a chipped tooth, an infection, or some sudden swelling.

Acting quickly to treat your situation reduces your pain and treatment time, it is best to act as soon as possible!

Final Thoughts

When having slight concerns, it is never a good idea to ignore or sit on the issue.  In much the same way that you may ignore or sit on the warning light that appears in your car, a toothache may seem like a minor inconvenience in the beginning, but it will not get better. Understanding these common signs and taking advantage of an emergency dentist will make all the difference!

Even if it is a new pain, swelling, or a tooth that has broken, trust the specialists at Spire Dental Care Langley. Their team of committed Langley Dentist is prepared to get you back to comfort, confidence, and an appealing bright smile before small issues turn into big ones.