Problems with the mouth, jaw and teeth are common and can sometimes cause sharp and recurring pain in some people. Many patients often times ask themselves if they require an emergency appointment with the dentist. In this short article, we present some situations that warrant an emergency meeting with your dentist.
#1 The avulsed tooth
The first situation of an emergency visit to the dentist is the loss of an adult tooth.
This can be observed in patients during a fall, accident or after a blow. This type of accident also often occurs during sports. It is therefore recommended to wear a mouthguard during sports to avoid this situation.
In some cases, the dentist will be able to re implant your tooth. It is therefore advisable, if possible, to recover the tooth, handle it very gently and do not touch its root. You can carry the tooth in a container filled with milk. You must act quickly to ensure a viable re implantation.
There is no time to wait! Make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible (some dental clinics are open all week).
#2 Cracked or broken tooth
Dental caries makes teeth vulnerable and fragile, making it easier to create cracks or fractures in the short or long term. Of course, bad habits like biting your nails or having a tendency to clench your teeth, bruxism, can also be causes.
Like an avulsed tooth, broken, cracked or fractured teeth are problems sometimes associated with playing sports without oral protection. However, several other factors can cause such problems.
If you notice that one or more of your teeth are now sensitive to hot and/or cold, or that you are experiencing pain, make an appointment with your emergency dentist. You will be able to know if a crack or fracture could be the cause of your toothaches.
#3 Gum pain or damage
Gum problems can be numerous and can justify calling your dental clinic and making an emergency appointment.
Gingival hypersensitivity is a fairly common phenomenon in patients. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. Be careful not to let gingivitis evolve since in some cases it can lead to more serious problems such as periodontitis (gum disease).
Gum inflammation, can also be caused by various infections or other factors. Canker sores are little ulcers, which develop on the inside of the mouth. These ulcers are very often benign and disappear naturally after two to three weeks.
However, it is recommended to consult your dentist if the ulcer is still present after more than three weeks. Indeed, occasionally, an ulcer may be an indication of a larger problem.
#4 Dental abscess or Gingival abscess
Abscesses, whether gingival or dental, can cause severe pain. These are infections that focus on the gums, around a tooth or even inside the jaw. It is important to consult your dentist quickly in both cases.
He will clean or descale the affected gum, or he will perform a root canal treatment for the affected tooth. In some cases, a dental infection may require the complete removal of the tooth. The tooth abscess occurs when the nerve in the tooth “dies”, which is why it is important to make an appointment with your dentist.
#5 Tooth pain (toothache)
The so-called “toothache” is a pain that comes from contact with heat and cold.
A toothache can be caused by tooth decay or other problems: such as a gum disease or the fracture of a tooth. If you experience persistent pain, you should make an appointment with your dentist.
# 6 The foreign body
The foreign body can cause some problems if a dentist does not intervene quickly. If you are not able to remove this foreign body yourself with the help of toothpicks or floss, consulting a dentist is the option to consider. Avoid leaving the foreign body in place for a long time, it could become the cause of an infection.
#7 Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are a concern for many people. Patients often wonder if pain caused by the growth of wisdom teeth is a valid reason to call or make an appointment with their dentist. Well, the answer is yes!
As with baby teeth, it is normal to feel discomfort when the wisdom teeth do not have enough room to erupt properly.
It is also important to know that some individuals decide to keep their wisdom teeth rather than having them extracted. This decision may also lead some people to make an emergency appointment if a cavity develops on one of the wisdom teeth, which may, in fact, be more difficult to clean.
Do not hesitate to consult your dentist if you have problems with your wisdom teeth to prevent the situation from deteriorating over time.
#8: Problem with a dental device or prosthesis
Finally, a faulty fitting appliance or damaged denture should be reported to your dentist or orthodontic specialist. It is important to make an appointment as soon as possible to avoid significant injuries.
Keep in mind…
The important thing to remember about this article is that your dentist is your reference in dental and oral health. Do not hesitate to contact your clinic if you experience abnormal or repetitive pain or if you notice a problem. It is important to react as quickly as possible so that the situation does not evolve. Remember that regular appointments with your hygienist and dentist are also very important and often prevent problems.