(734) 999-9909
By nature, humans are pretty stubborn in general. This can prove troublesome at times. Most people often tend to overlook clear signs that they need to get help, especially when it comes to their health (which can lead to more serious problems, mind you). However, of all the things that should never be overlooked, something you really need to watch out for is a dental emergency. Such an emergency typically involves any injury that affects one’s teeth or gums and can cause complications such as permanent damage when left untreated.
Unfortunately, most people don’t have the ability to pinpoint what kind of dental problem they’re having, especially when it comes to more complicated situations. For instance, if what you’re feeling fluctuates between minor and serious pain, you may not know what to do about it. With the right amount of knowledge, however, it can become a whole lot easier to determine whether or not you should go to your dentist’s office ASAP. Here are the signs you need to watch out for:
Painful teeth
The most obvious sign that you need to go to the dentist is a toothache. You should get a painful tooth seen to right away, as it can lead to even greater complications. It can even put your life at risk if you ignore it.
Throbbing pain in your root canal
One case that may pose a threat to your overall dental health is root canal pain, which can easily be identified through a severe throbbing pain that starts deep within the tooth or jaw. Root canal problems are caused when a tooth experiences a severe case of decay to the point where it starts to die. They can also be caused by blunt force trauma to the tooth. If you feel a distinct, throbbing pain in your mouth, chances are that you’ll have to seek root canal treatment (RCT) right away. RCT involves removing a tooth’s pulp and nerve.
A lot of pain in one tooth
Another common problem that people have with their teeth is an unbearable pain in one tooth. This is also known as an abscessed tooth, which is a type of pain that occurs in one particular tooth. An abscessed tooth causes severe pain with every bite, a significant amount of swelling, and a fever. Abscessed teeth are caused by certain infections, which can be remedied with the following treatments:
- Painkiller medication
- Cleaning of the tooth (similar to a root canal procedure)
- Tooth extraction
Post-tooth extraction pain
Tooth extractions are typically carried out in order to alleviate severe toothaches. But if pain persists after the extraction, chances are that you’re suffering from a tooth infection that needs to be fixed. Pain after a tooth extraction usually manifests two to four days after the procedure and can be caused by a dry socket. In order to fix this problem, a dental professional will dress the socket and irritate the infection with a warm saline solution to treat the pain.
Cracked teeth
Cracked teeth are often overlooked by most people, simply because they don’t actually hurt most of the time. However, a cracked tooth can be easily spotted if you suddenly develop a certain sensitivity to hot and cold drinks or food. Although there is no pain, it’s important to get a cracked tooth checked because several complications may arise should it go unchecked.
Broken teeth
As scary as a broken tooth may sound, keep in mind that it won’t actually hurt as much as you think it will. However, the absence of pain should never be overlooked because a broken tooth can damage the nerve inside it. When dealing with a broken tooth, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your doctor right away so the dental emergency can be tended to quickly. As a temporary fix before you head to the dentist, cover the remainder of your tooth with temporary dental cement and take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
If you’re looking for a local dentist to help you with your oral health, get in touch with us today for a consultation!
