For many people, it can be hard to tell if a dental problem requires emergency dental care or not. Here, our Edmonton dentists describe 5 signs that you need emergency dental help.
What can cause a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies can come about as a result of a variety of circumstances, including accidents, sports-related injuries, tooth decay or an infection.
How do I know if I have a dental emergency?
If you experience any of the following four signs, you have a dental emergency on your hands, and should get help right away:
A traumatic injury to your teeth, jaw or mouth
If you have sustained an injury resulting in damage to your teeth or a lost tooth, this is considered a dental emergency.
A damaged or lost tooth requires immediate attention from a dental professional, because otherwise it may not survive.
A severe toothache that cannot be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication.
If you are experiencing a severe toothache that you cannot quell with a painkiller (like ibuprofen), then you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to have the tooth looked at.
Uncontrolled bleeding
It goes without saying that if you are bleeding from the mouth, and you cannot stop the flow, you should seek emergency care immediately.
Severe swelling in your mouth, face or neck
Swelling can be a sign of a variety of serious problems. If you notice that you have swelling around your mouth, jaw, face or neck, please seek emergency care as soon as possible.