When Do I Need An Emergency Dentist?

Almost every person on this beautiful planet of ours has had or will have some dental concern at one point in their life. It may be an excruciatingly painful tooth, broken and knocked out, or even a loose dental filling. However, not all dental problems are considered to be emergencies. So, what exactly sets dental emergencies apart?

If you are suffering from a dental concern, ask yourself the following questions.
Is the toothache unbearable?
Is my mouth bleeding?
Is my tooth broken or knocked out?
Do I have a loose tooth?
Is there an infection or pus discharge in my mouth?

Now, if your answer to any of the questions mentioned above was positive, it is likely that you may be experiencing a dental emergency. Dental emergencies require prompt diagnosis and swift treatment by a board-certified dentist in Huntsville, Alabama. The timing of visiting a dental office plays a huge role in the prognosis of a dental ailment and can be the difference between saving or losing the tooth. If you find yourself or your loved one in such a situation, please do not hesitate to contact us at Valley Wide Dental, and we will schedule an emergency appointment for you right away. Read ahead as we discuss signs of a dental emergency.

Five signs you need an emergency dentist:

1) BROKEN OR KNOCKED OUT TOOTH

A tooth can break under undue and sudden heavy forces. These forces can be a result of trauma to the face which can happen due to a fall or an accident, and sometimes, it can be a result of forcefully biting on hard consistency food or substance. A minor chip or a crack is not an emergency; however, if your broken tooth part
is large and the tooth is painful, you need an emergency dentist in Huntsville, Alabama.

The force can sometimes be high enough to cause the tooth to dislodge and come out of the socket entirely. This becomes a dental emergency and needs immediate dental attention, or you may end up losing the tooth.

2) BLEEDING GUMS

Gums typically bleed when you brush or floss aggressively or have gum disease. However, if the bleeding is excessive, continuous, and accompanied by pain and swelling, it becomes a dental emergency.

3) TOOTHACHES

Toothaches are not normal or something you can ignore. Toothaches are how your body signals that something is wrong in the mouth. It can be a dental cavity, infection, abscess, or gum disease. Toothaches can be mild to severe throbbing in nature. In some cases, home remedies and over-the-counter painkillers can help till you schedule a regular dental appointment. However, if the pain is sudden in onset, continuous and severe, you need to see an emergency dentist in Huntsville, Alabama, right away.

4) FACIAL SWELLING

You need to see a board-certified emergency dentist right away in cases of facial or gum swelling, especially when associated with incapacitation pain and discomfort. It can be due to an infection, inflamed lymph nodes, gum diseases, and even cancer in some rare cases.

5) FLUID DISCHARGE

If you are experiencing pus discharge from your gums or around the tooth, it constitutes a dental emergency. Pus discharge signals a burst abscess or heavily infected gums, which must be treated to prevent any significant complications.

If you or your loved one ever find yourself experiencing any of the signs mentioned above, please do not hesitate to call us. Our team of friendly dental professionals at Valley Wide Dental, Huntsville, Alabama, is here to assist you.