When Is Tooth Pain a Dental Emergency?

Dental Emergency Kennewick, WA

Wondering whether tooth pain can constitute a dental emergency? Read on to learn more about situations where tooth pain becomes a dental emergency. If tooth pain suddenly starts disturbing you, you may be torn between treating it as a dental emergency or just waiting for the pain to go away on its own, or with the help of painkillers. Almost everyone would rather visit the dentist based on a schedule instead of rushing to the dental office due to a problem.

Tooth pain as a dental emergency

Dentists typically classify a dental emergency as an oral health problem that needs to be treated immediately. The body has its way of indicating when something is wrong somewhere. If there is a problem with your oral health, you may notice pain around a particular area. Tooth pain can occur due to trauma or infection. The following are signs that tooth pain should be treated as a dental emergency:

  • Bleeding
  • A loose or knocked-out tooth
  • Severe pain around the tooth or gum area
  • Gum or facial swelling
  • Tooth abscess
  • Cracked or broken tooth

Severe tooth pain can be caused by multiple factors and should not be overlooked. If the pain persists or worsens, and the tooth becomes more sensitive to touch or temperature, it should be checked immediately. A bleeding tooth or gum is not normal and means something is wrong. Aching gums can often accompany the bleeding.

A loose or knocked-out tooth could mean damage to the gum tissues, nerves, and jaw. It could result from dental trauma or severe infection and needs immediate treatment. Swelling is usually the sign of infection, which may occur with dizziness, fever, or a bad taste from pus formation. The severity of the signs may vary, but urgent dental care is necessary in all cases. Patients need to call a dentist and explain their situation in detail.

How to handle tooth pain

Patients who are experiencing tooth pain need to contact a dental professional as soon as possible. If the pain is too severe and makes speaking difficult, one can have someone else explain the situation. If the issue occurred during office hours, the dentist would probably recommend visiting the dental office immediately. If the emergency occurs during off-hours, it is better to visit a dentist's office that deals with dental emergencies. Timeliness is often required to reverse certain situations like a knocked-out tooth.

The dentist will want to know when the symptoms started and the actions that worsen the pain. This will help the dental professional with their assessment and diagnosis. Before getting to the dental office, patients can take first-aid measures like using a cold compress, pain relievers, or rinsing the mouth with warm water.

Don't wait to deal with a dental emergency

Do not delay dental treatment if you experience tooth pain, especially if it is a dental emergency. Contact our dental office immediately to schedule an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://www.gledhilldental.com or call Gledhill Dental at (509) 800-8410 for an appointment in our Kennewick office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dental Care in Kennewick, WA.

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