What is a Dental Emergency?

Simply put, a dental emergency occurs any time that you have pain or symptoms that can’t wait for a regularly scheduled dentist appointment. Patients often think they should wait for an upcoming regular appointment or to give the problem time to go away on its own, but you could end up making the problem worse by waiting! Ask yourself the following questions honestly to determine whether your dental problem might be an emergency:

Is Something Loose?

If a tooth is loose or wiggling, you will want to talk to your dentist before complications arise. Loose teeth can be a sign of abcess or infection, or a more serious health issue. Implants, crowns, and fillings that wiggle should be addressed because they can lead to infections or get lost while you eat or sleep. Your dentist may temporarily secure crowns or implants so that you can wait for an appointment, or they may want to address the wiggliness as soon as possible.

Is There Pain?

Pain is the most prevalent reason that patients consider requesting an emergency dental appointment. Pain is a clear indicator that something is wrong, and may signal infection or something more serious like a tumor or a cancerous growth. If you are experiencing severe pain in your mouth, contact your dentist right away. Your dentist may be able to suggest solutions to help with the pain so that you can wait for an appointment or may insist that you come in immediately.

Did Something Happen?

Did you chip or break a tooth while eating? Were you hit in the face by something and now one or more of your teeth feels loose? Even if there is no pain or any of the above symptoms, if you experience trauma to your mouth or face you may want to contact your dentist. Some damage is hard to see and can cause issues that are hard to address if ignored but could be dealt with rather simply right after they occur.

Is Something Out of the Ordinary?

Bleeding gums, bad breath, odd or unpleasant taste, and discolorations or lumps in your mouth can be signs of dental problems that may not be immediately obvious. Any unexpected changes in your mouth are worth mentioning to your dentist immediately so that they can be addressed before they become major issues.

If you feel that you are experiencing a dental emergency or have noticed pain or unexpected changes in your mouth, don’t wait until your symptoms get worse. Our dentists can often schedule emergency appointments the same or the next day. At Greene Comprehensive Family Dentistry, we want our patients feel better as soon as possible. For dental emergencies, or preventative care and checkups, contact us today for an appointment, we are always happy to help!