Sometimes you just know when you’re in an emergency. Whether it’s smoke coming from your vehicle, or you’ve fallen on ice and can’t move your arm, many urgent situations are obvious. But when it comes to your teeth, how can you tell if you’re experiencing a dental emergency, or if you should just wait it out until your next, regularly scheduled dentist appointment? Here’s a helpful guide to help determine when it’s time to see the dentist: stat.
What’s Normal?
You know how your teeth and gums normally feel, so it’s easy to tell when something is amiss. Your teeth shouldn’t have any feeling whatsoever, so if you notice any type of pain, that’s your body’s way of telling you there’s a problem, and when it comes to your teeth, the truth is, every problem is urgent.
What Causes Tooth Pain?
Your teeth can hurt for many different reasons, including:
- Cavities or decay
- A crack or chip
- An abscess
- An infected tooth
- Impacted wisdom teeth
With teeth, it can be difficult to tell why they hurt, especially if you haven’t knowingly done anything to injure them, but if your teeth start experiencing discomfort seemingly out of nowhere and continue to do so for over 24 hours, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist.
Non-Emergency Causes of Tooth Pain
While there are certainly some causes of tooth pain that constitute an emergency, there are a few others you shouldn’t worry about if you can determine they apply to you. These include:
- An emerging, regular (non-wisdom) adult tooth
- Sensitivity following a treatment like professional whitening
- Discomfort from a recent procedure like a filling or root canal
What to do in a Dental Emergency
If you are experiencing a dental emergency of any kind, call your dentist as soon as possible. They may be able to see you immediately, or you may need to schedule an appointment for another day. Your dental team will be able to advise you of next steps, such as how to stop bleeding, what to do if you’ve knocked a tooth loose, or if you need to go to the emergency room.
Remember, while it’s impossible to prevent all dental emergencies, such as an accident, preventing some problems is easier than you might think. Since many oral health issues are caused by poor oral hygiene, keeping your teeth clean is the best way to stop them from happening. Thus, always brush twice a day and floss at least once a day, and never skip your semi-annual exam and cleaning appointments with your dentist. If you play sports or grind your teeth, always wear your mouth guard, and in the meantime if an emergency should arise, call your dentist and schedule an urgent appointment.
About Our Practice
At Rensch and Laster Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we treat every patient like family by getting to know them and their personal goals for their oral health. We work hard to keep your mouth healthy and strong, and we believe in conservative dentistry, so we’ll never recommend a treatment you don’t need.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us as soon as possible. We offer same-day appointments, and we’re happy to advise you about keeping your mouth safe until you can come in.
To schedule an emergency appointment, please visit our website or call us today at 919-787-0355.