If you're having problems with your mouth, it might be time to seek emergency dental care. If you've never experienced a dental emergency, you might not know what to look for. Unfortunately, overlooking a dental emergency can lead to serious problems. If you haven't lost a tooth, or a filling hasn't come loose, you might think you can wait for your dental care. However, that's not actually the case. There are other reasons to seek emergency dental care. Read the list provided below. If you're dealing with any of the issues described here, contact a dentist right away.
Canker Sores That Won't Heal
It's not uncommon to develop canker sores from time to time. In most cases, ordinary canker sores will go away in a couple of days, especially if you rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution. However, if you develop canker sores that don't go away, or that continue to get worse, you need to contact a dentist for emergency dental care right away. Canker sores that won't heal can be a sign of oral cancer. Early detection ensures earlier treatment options.
Unusually-Foul Mouth Odors
If you've developed a case of bad breath, the best thing you can do is brush your teeth and floss. Most of the time, bad breath will go away with proper dental hygiene. If you've been brushing and flossing, but the foul odors have gotten worse or you've developed a foul taste in your mouth, seek emergency dental care as soon as possible. Severe bad breath or foul tastes in your mouth can be a sign of a dental infection or abscess. Both of those issues need to be addressed as soon as possible.
Unexplained Jaw Stiffness
If you've encountered stiffness in your jaw, and you've recently sustained an injury, the first thing you should do is seek medical care from your primary care physician. However, if you're dealing with unexplained jaw stiffness, it's time to seek emergency dental care. You might not realise this, but unexplained jaw stiffness can be caused by TMJ, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction. If that's the case, an emergency dentist can provide you with the treatment you need to relieve the symptoms.
Pain That Won't Go Away
If you're suffering from dental pain that won't go away, and you've been taking over-the-counter pain medication, don't wait any longer to seek emergency dental care. Intense dental pain can be caused by infections, damaged or missing fillings or other emergency dental issues.
For more info, contact a local emergency dentist.
Share11 May 2022
As a mother, I've seen my kids' faces light up after they've lost a tooth – oh, the excitement they feel about getting their grown up teeth! However, I've also seen my kids become extremely scared and anxious after having an adult tooth knocked out. If you're a mom or a dad with a busy kid, chances are you might see a tooth knocked out in a skateboarding accident or a sport pile-up. This blog is dedicated to those moments when you could lose your wits, and it's here to ensure you don't. I am collecting and curating the best information about kids and dental emergencies here so that you will have it when you need it. Best of luck with your kids' smiles!
