I Have a Dental Emergency
What aches and pains are normal? Should you be concerned about toothache? Some problems seem small, but they can turn into serious dental health problems if you don’t seek treatment. With the help of emergency dental services, you can get the relief you need. If you’re wondering, “Do I have a dental emergency?” we can answer that question too. Contact Signature Smiles today at 720.513.8405 to learn more.
Loose Teeth
When you’re a child, loose teeth are cause for excitement, but as an adult, this may be concerning. Adults shouldn’t have loose or wiggly teeth, as they should have matured and grown more sturdy. If you notice that your teeth are loose, you may have injured your teeth playing sports or in an unfortunate accident. Alternatively, you may be suffering from periodontal disease. Both require treatment to ensure that your teeth stay in place.
If your tooth does happen to fall out, try to put it back in the socket, holding it in place with a piece of gauze or a clean washcloth. If it doesn’t go back into place, put it in a cup of milk or sterile water. Then, contact our emergency dental services today.
Tooth Aches and Infections
A severe toothache may also indicate that you need emergency dental services. Severe toothaches may be caused by dental infections, which need early treatment to prevent your infection from spreading. However, only your dentist can determine how severe the infection is. Seeking early dental treatment is vital.
You may also have an abscessed tooth, meaning that a cavity has gone untreated, or the tooth has chipped. Abscessed teeth are very painful, and symptoms may include:
- A fever
- Pus
- Swollen glands
- A bad taste in the mouth
This infection requires surgery to ensure that the contamination doesn’t get worse.
If your tooth suddenly goes from extremely painful to no feeling at all, it’s vital to seek treatment as soon as possible. Your infection may have spread to the tooth’s root. In such cases, a root canal may be required. To avoid this unfortunate occurrence, pay close attention to your teeth. If they are extremely painful, get treatment as soon as possible.
In addition, if you have a swollen jaw, you should also seek dental treatment as soon as possible. One or more of your teeth may be infected, or you may have a salivary gland infection. In both cases, you should have a dentist examine you to ensure that your mouth is not permanently affected.
Cracked Fillings
If you begin tasting metal in your mouth for no apparent reason, a metal filling may have cracked or become loose. In these cases, it’s vital to seek emergency dental services, because open fillings leave your mouth vulnerable to infections and cavities. Your dentist can provide a new filling and get rid of any infection or bacteria that remain.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
The best way to avoid dental emergencies is to take care of your teeth properly. That means that when you’re playing sports, be sure to wear a mouthguard. Avoid chewing things that can crack your teeth, such as hard candy, ice, and popcorn kernels. Also, never use your teeth to cut things. Instead, use scissors.
Furthermore, make sure that you’re performing oral hygiene tasks twice daily. Brush your teeth, floss, and use mouthwash to make sure that your teeth stay free from bacteria and plaque.
If you can’t prevent dental emergencies, contact Signature Smiles. Our expert team is available around the clock to help you. In addition to our emergency dental services, we also provide:
To learn more about what to do in a dental emergency, contact us at 720.513.8405 today.