Did you know that 1 in 8 people in the United States deals with sensitive teeth? If you feel pain when eating or drinking anything hot or cold, you’re not alone!
Sensitive teeth are commonly caused by wear and tear on your teeth and gums, and can be treated but aren’t cause for worry in most cases.
But what if the discomfort crosses over from normal sensitivity to serious pain? How do you know when you might need emergency toothache relief, and what does that mean?
We have the answers to these questions and more in this article, keep reading to learn more!
Dental Emergency Defined
While toothaches can certainly be painful and even disruptive to your day to day activities, they aren’t always considered a dental emergency. In general, you should contact an ER or emergency dentist if you are experiencing persistent bleeding, a life-threatening infection, or require immediate care in order to save a tooth.
When to Seek Emergency Toothache Relief
If you’re concerned that you might need to seek medical attention but aren’t completely sure, here are a few scenarios in which an emergency dentist should be contacted.
1. Bleeding, Painful Gums
You may think that bleeding gums after brushing or flossing is normal – it isn’t! Now, that doesn’t mean that it’s always a sign of a serious problem, but it can be. If you have excessive bleeding or pain in your gums, you could have gum disease.
With gum disease, early diagnosis is essential for saving your teeth and gums, so don’t ignore the warning signs.
2. A Loose Tooth
As an adult, your teeth should be extremely sturdy; they should not wiggle or loosen at all. If you’ve been in a sports or vehicular accident, a visit to the dentist to ensure everything is intact is never a bad idea.
However, if nothing has happened to cause a loose tooth, you may have an infection due to gum or dental disease. And, as mentioned previously, it’s important to catch this type of disease as early as possible.
3. A Metallic Taste in Your Mouth
If you have a metal filling, a metallic taste in your mouth could mean the filling has loosened. You don’t want to let this go unchecked, as an open filling can become a cavity or even a root canal if you aren’t careful.
Wondering what is a root canal? Well, it’s a common, yet rather painful procedure in which infected pulp is surgically removed from the affected tooth. And while it’s not a big deal, it’s not a fun experience and should be avoided if possible.
What Happens Next?
What happens once you’re in the emergency dentist’s care depends on the diagnosis. Infections, for example, are often treated with a combination of antibiotics and pain medication. An abscessed tooth, on the other hand, will require surgery, usually in the form of a root canal.
If you’re experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, don’t be afraid to seek emergency toothache relief. There could be a simple answer, but you don’t want to neglect your health and end up with more severe problems – and medical bills – in the long run.
Looking for more health advice? Check out our blog for tips on everything from allergy relief to whitening your smile.