If you’ve been dealing with dental pain, or you’ve started to notice that something seems off with one of your teeth, you might be wondering if it’s time to contact your emergency dentist. You should know that acting too slowly when dealing with a genuine dental emergency will often lead to things becoming more serious, painful, and tougher to treat. However, the right care in a timely manner can make all the difference in the world! Here’s more about some of the circumstances that warrant prompt dental care.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that requires prompt attention to stop severe pain or address a risk to your overall health. Not every dental problem falls into this category, but some absolutely do, such as:
- Severe, throbbing tooth pain – Pain that is intense, consistent, or worsening (often at nighttime) can signal an infection, which, if left untreated, can even spread to other teeth.
- Knocked-out tooth – If a permanent tooth gets knocked out, it’s important to act quickly and see your dentist within an hour, so the tooth has the best chance of being saved.
- Dental swelling – Swelling in your gums, jaw, or face, especially if accompanied by a fever, is often a sign of a serious infection that needs prompt attention.
- Cracked or fractured tooth – A crack in a tooth that causes sharp pain when biting or temperature sensitivity needs to be addressed quickly before the tooth becomes unsalvageable.
- Lost dental restoration – When a crown or filling falls out, the exposed tooth can become painful, not to mention more vulnerable to further damage.
Avoid Urgent Dental Situations as Best as You Can
Preventing dental emergencies is always going to be the best option! Practice good oral hygiene every day, since a healthy mouth is far less likely to encounter a setback. If you play contact sports, always wear a mouthguard before taking the field or court. And above all else, maintain your routine dental checkups and cleanings so that your provider can regularly examine your smile and spot concerns early.
You should let your dentist know anytime there’s an apparent problem with your smile, but the truth is, not every situation falls under the emergency category. Lost fillings or crowns with no pain or sensitivity can sometimes wait a couple of days, as can mildly chipped teeth.
The bottom line is, it’s always better to call your dentist and describe your symptoms, rather than waiting around and hoping things resolve on their own. Dental emergencies are always going to be easier and less expensive to treat when they’re caught early!
About the Practice
Our team here at Winthrop Street Dentistry is proud to provide patients and families in Worcester with a wide range of dental services, including same-day emergency dentistry for those with urgent needs. We also accept dental insurance, and even if you’re not in-network with us, we’re happy to file claims on your behalf! If you have any questions about the blog or you or a loved one are in need of emergency dentistry, don’t delay in contacting our office: Telephone: (508) 593-1261.