Do you have a toothache? Are your gums bleeding? Do you have a canker sore?
Sometimes these things happen and aren’t anything that you should worry about. Other times, these are symptoms of something a little more serious. We’ve all been down the Google rabbit hole. Before you know it, you’re diagnosing your baby toothache as a sign of your jaw decaying, and you don’t know how you got there.
Don’t worry. You’re not the only one. While Google diagnosing can sometimes point you in the right direction, checking with your dentist is the best way to go.
So, how do you know if you have a dental emergency, and what should you do?
Common Signs of a Dental Emergency
Sometimes, there are home remedies that can help ease your pain. However, if you’re experiencing severe pain or discomfort, you should probably seek immediate dental care. Visit your dentist as soon as possible if:
1. You have experienced sudden tooth loss as an adult
As an adult, your teeth are fully grown. You shouldn’t lose your teeth like you did when you were in kindergarten. There are several different reasons behind losing a tooth as an adult. Perhaps it was knocked out while you were playing a sport, or maybe it just happened. Either way, you should seek immediate care.
2. You have a severe toothache
A severe toothache is different from a slight toothache. If it’s severe, you’ll experience sharp pain and a throbbing sensation. There also might be swelling around the sensitive tooth, accompanied by a fever and headache.
3. You have a swollen jaw
A swollen jaw should spark concern unless it is caused by impact. Even then, it might be wise to visit your dentist to make sure that there was no damage done to your mouth. You should seek medical attention if your jaw is swollen for no reason. A foul taste in your mouth, trouble breathing, and difficulty swallowing could accompany a swollen jaw.
4. Your canker sore isn’t improving
Canker sores happen to most people. It isn’t something to be concerned about. However, if your canker sore hasn’t healed in two weeks, you may want to reach out to your dentist. Canker sores usually heal on their own, but this could signal a deeper issue if yours isn’t going away.
5. Your gums are bleeding and aching
Gums bleed occasionally. For example, if you haven’t flossed in a while, your gums may bleed. If this happens, you shouldn’t be concerned. However, if you have an excessive amount of bleeding, this could be an early sign of gum disease. But don’t panic. Instead of self-diagnosing, you should seek immediate dental care. Your dentist will be able to accurately diagnose the reason behind your sensitive gums.
I have a dental emergency, now what?
If you have a dental emergency, it’s important to seek immediate dental care. The difficult part is finding a slot in your dentist’s busy schedule. What do you do if your emergency is outside of regular business hours?
First and foremost, try and schedule an appointment with your dental care provider if your dental emergency is during their business hours. They may be able to fit you in between appointments.
However, if your emergency is outside of office hours or you absolutely cannot wait for your appointment with your dentist, you may need to visit an urgent care center.
If you’re experiencing excruciating pain, having trouble breathing or swallowing, or excessive bleeding, you should go to an urgent care center if your dentist can’t get you in immediately.
If you have time, you should review your dental plan. Dental emergencies should be included in the plan, so you’ll know how to proceed and the cost of your emergency visit. If you’re visiting an urgent or emergency care facility, check with your health insurance to see what they will cover.
Cobblestone Park Family Dental is Here to Help
If you have an emergency, Cobblestone Family Dental is here to help. We offer emergency dental procedures and will do our best to fit you in if you have a dental emergency.
If you have a dental emergency or require dental surgery, contact Cobblestone Park Family Dental today. Our dental professionals are renowned for their comforting environment and carefully performed sedation dentistry procedures. Schedule an appointment at our Oklahoma City office by calling (405) 603-8520.