As explained by the American Dental Association (ADA), emergency dental care means seeking immediate treatment to stop gum bleeding and ease severe pain. Many people will go through severe toothache at one point in their lives, and they will want to seek the services of a dentist immediately. That is when you can say you had emergency dental care.
That definition of what constitutes an emergency for teeth and mouth problems is considered loose by many. That is because there are other problems that you may be unaware of but also need a dentist’s immediate intervention. In other cases, your dental case may cause or trigger other issues in the body, which will need to be addressed first.
In this article, we shall discuss what constitutes immediate dental care so that you may know when to seek the dentist’s services immediately or when you can wait till the following day or after the weekend. Stick with the article for the best-unfiltered information about this issue.
Emergency Dental Care Signs
These are the signs to look out for to determine whether you need a quick visit to the dentist:
1. Severe toothache
Toothache is always considered the first sign that you need a quick visit to the dentist. But the severity of the pain should be the one to determine if you should seek medical help now. Remember that emergency dental care is more expensive than a regular dental visit. That is why you have to decide if the pain in your tooth can wait till your dental clinic opens or you need to schedule a quick visit, which is costly to you your insurance.
Many people will try home-based remedies to try and ease the pain, but these measures are not recommended. That is because to address a toothache adequately, you have to know the cause. That means attempting to treat a toothache at home may compound the problem further.
Lifestyle choices and bad habits are to blame for the increased number of toothaches. The ideal means of controlling toothaches is to prevent them from happening. Therefore, it is advised to watch what we eat and learn to clean our teeth regularly to avoid toothaches.
2. Loose tooth
A loose tooth may cause the need for emergency dental care. It is usual for children to have loose teeth when losing their baby teeth and growing adult teeth. Once the adult teeth grow, they develop into strong tools to help an individual eat and speak. That, therefore, means that adults should not have loose teeth.
Several reasons may lead to loose teeth, but not all necessitate an emergency dental treatment. The main reasons for loose teeth in adults are:
- Gum disease. This is an inflammation in the gum line, which affects the tooth’s structure. According to experts at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic, a reputable dental clinic in Kenya, gum disease develops in three stages, gingivitis, Periodontitis, and advanced Periodontitis. Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease which happens when plaque and tartar build-up in the gum line. It is caused by poor hygiene, primarily not brushing your teeth regularly. Experts say the early signs of gingivitis are traces of blood when brushing your teeth. Untreated and unchecked gingivitis develops into Periodontitis. That is when the bones in the gumline holding your teeth are becoming irreversibly damaged. It is important to note that damaged gums are not treatable, and the only options available are to increase your dental hygiene and frequent visits to the dentist to help you manage the problem. Advanced Periodontitis is the last stage of gumline disease. At this stage, your tooth will loosen and start falling off. Since there is no known treatment for this disease, the most a dentist can do is remove the loose teeth and replace them with artificial ones.
- Teeth trauma. Any impact to the jawline or the lower part of the head may cause teeth to loosen, which will call for emergency dental care. Injuries to the teeth usually occur after vehicle accidents or during sports activities. When you suspect an injury to the teeth, you should seek an emergency dental treatment before the injury causes further damage to your teeth and they start falling out.
- Pregnancy Pregnant women may sometimes experience loose teeth. That is because of the increased levels of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones will affect the bones and ligaments that help keep the teeth intact and in place. That is why pregnant women will have several loose teeth during their term. Although the loose teeth usually go back to normal after giving birth, a pregnant woman should visit a dentist to rule out gum disease as the cause.
3. Swollen jaw
Another cause of emergency dental care is a swollen jaw. Salivary gland infections are the common cause of swollen jaws. When the salivary glands are infected, the problem will come with a swollen jaw, bad taste in the mouth, difficulty breathing, and trouble swallowing. This kind of infection is caused by bacteria that block the normal flow of saliva, preventing the regular breaking of food, which helps in digestion. You should seek emergency dental treatment whenever you have a swollen jaw and the other mentioned signs. The early diagnosis and treatment of this infection will prevent further complications in the jaw or teeth.
4. Dental abscess
A dental abscess will require emergency dental care at the earliest instance. A dental abscess is a build-up of pus in the soft part of the teeth. When bacteria accumulate in the soft pulp of the teeth, it eventually results in pus, which becomes very painful to the patient. Like many other teeth problems, a dental abscess is caused by plaque and tartar resulting from poor dental hygiene. The early signs of this infection are pain when eating cold foods or brushing teeth.
If a dental abscess is suspected, you should seek immediate dental treatment since the pain will increase as the pus build-up increases. The treatment of this infection will primarily involve surgery to cut the abscess and drain the pus that contains the bacteria. Note that an advanced state of a dental abscess may require the affected tooth to be removed.
5. Mouth tastes like metal
When your mouth tastes like metal, that is a clear signal something is wrong with your implants, and you need emergency dental care. When an implant or filling loosens and comes out, the tooth or teeth will be left vulnerable to cavities or root canals. When you notice your filling is off, the tooth might already be infected by bacteria.
A toothache should be among the first signs that your filling has cracked or loosened. When this happens, do not try and seek relief from the pain at home, but rather visit a dentist immediately for a proper check-up. Remember that a toothache is mostly a sign of a greater issue that could be wrong with your tooth or teeth. The Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya, has a dedicated team of professionals ready to provide the emergency dental care and treatment you need.
6. Cracked or broken teeth
Cracked or broken teeth should concern you, making you find emergency dental care. How fast you see a dentist may determine if your tooth can be saved or not. It is also essential to clearly explain the cause of the injury, as that will also help the doctor determine the best way to treat the injury. Note that a cracked or broken tooth is the surest way for cavities and root canals to start, and the quicker you see a dentist, the better it will be for you.
7. Bleeding gums or aches
Bleeding gums or gum aches is also a cause of emergency dental care. While traces of blood after brushing teeth can be taken as a sign of early gingivitis, severe bleeding and aching of the gums could mean something entirely different that should warrant an immediate visit to the dentist. Also, as mentioned above, since gingivitis develops in stages, the earlier the infection is noticed, the easier it will be to save your gums.
8. Growth
If you feel growth in your mouth, that should be a signal to visit a dentist as soon as possible. That is because growth in the mouth symbolizes oral or mouth cancer. A dentist will perform tests to establish the nature of the growth. If the growth is cancerous, then it will be easily treated when noticed early. Any form of growth felt in the mouth should never be ignored, and the earlier you consult a dentist or a doctor, the better.
9. knocked-out tooth
Another case that requires emergency dental care is a knocked-out tooth or teeth. The earlier you appear before a dentist with your knocked-out tooth, the better the chances of a successful restoration. Once your tooth has been knocked out, you should pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the root. You should place it in a container and see a dentist immediately. Whether your tooth can be successfully restored will depend on the kind of injury it received and how quickly you visit the dentist. You should not try placing the tooth back in its socket since that further damages the teeth, worsens the injury, or damages the socket.
10. Broken orthodontics
broken orthodontics is another cause of emergency dental care. Braces are designed to withstand everyday activities like eating, drinking, and talking. But sometimes, they break or loosen, resulting in injuries if they are not immediately repaired. These breakages will not only hurt your gums and cheeks, but they will also reverse the progress made in the teeth alignment and straightening. That is why broken or loose braces should be reported to the dentist immediately for the proper corrective action to be taken.
How to Prevent Emergency Dental Care
It has been established above that there are many reasons why you may need emergency dental care. Some of these reasons cannot be avoided, while others can be avoided. The following are some of the ways you can avoid an immediate visit to the dentist:
1. Using a mouthguard
Using a mouthguard is a way to avoid emergency dental care for those in physical sports. As we have seen from the above highlights, sports and accidents are one of the main causes why many people end up in need of a dental emergency. Although accidents are nobody’s fault, you can get a mouthguard when participating in extreme sports. A mouthguard will help you prevent knocked-out teeth, cracked teeth, and chipped teeth. These are all known reasons for emergency dental care.
2. Avoid some foods
Some foods are known to accelerate the rate at which your teeth develop cavities. A cavity is very painful and will necessitate emergency dental treatment. Sugary foods like sweets, candy, and cakes are the known major causes of cavities. Avoiding these kinds of foods or moderating their intake is always advised by dentists.
3. Avoid bad habits
Some bad habits will cause emergency dental care if not checked. Some people chew on their nails, toothpicks, bottle caps, biro pens, and others that are not food. This is a nasty habit that, if not corrected, may one day cause a crack on your tooth or make it chip away.
4. Good oral hygiene
The number one cause of gum and other dental diseases is poor oral hygiene. Plaque and tartar build-up will cause root canals and abscesses. Cleaning and brushing your teeth well and regularly will avoid plaque and tartar, which will, in turn, avoid these dental diseases. Make sure that your teeth are properly brushed before going to bed, as that is when bacteria are most at work.
FAQs About Emergency Dental Care
Does a toothache qualify for a dental emergency?
Some people ask if a toothache warrants emergency dental care. The answer is YES. Most dental care emergencies start with severe toothaches. Toothaches are signals to cavities, abscesses, and other mouth diseases that a dentist should immediately investigate.
Is a cavity a dental emergency?
Some ask if cavities require emergency dental treatment. That will depend on how long the cavity is left untreated. Cavities progress in stages, with the initial stage being just some minor discomforts. If the cavity is not treated, it goes to the middle stage, characterized by mild painful bouts and sensitivity of the tooth. If this progresses, the cavity develops to the last stage, which comes with severe toothache and swelling of the gum and jaw. At this stage, the cavity becomes a dental emergency. You will need to see a dentist immediately to treat the cavity, or the tooth will be lost.
Does an abscess need emergency dental treatment?
There are those who ask if a tooth abscess requires immediate dental care. The answer is YES. Tooth abscesses will cause severe pain, which will need the services of a dentist. Also, if it is left untreated, it may spread to other parts of the mouth, which becomes life-threatening.
Should I worry about blood when brushing my teeth?
People will also ask if it is alright to see blood in their mouths when brushing their teeth. While small traces of blood may not be a major concern, large amounts of blood in your spit when brushing your teeth should be a point of concern. That is because the presence of blood when brushing your teeth is among the first signs of gum disease. You should book an immediate dental appointment if you notice large amounts of blood in your spit during brushing.
Are broken teeth dental emergencies?
There are those who wonder if broken teeth can be considered dental emergencies. It will depend on the severity of the breakage. While a small chip may not require an immediate visit to the dentist, some breakages will be severe and painful to the patient that will require emergency dental care.
Final Thoughts
Emergency dental care is necessary on some occasions, and you should keep a dentist’s phone number with you all the time. Knowing when you need to see the dentist immediately will go a long way in preventing further infections and damage to your teeth. The Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya has emergency dental services available to all its customers. This is the best dental care provider in town if you need any immediate dental care around Nairobi.