Questions You Can Ask If You Are Not Sure If You Are Experiencing A Dental Emergency

Some dental problems may need immediate attention and require emergency dental care. But how do you know if you are actually experiencing a dental emergency? What follows are some questions you can consider when trying to determine this. However, you should always contact your local Fort Lauderdale, Florida dentist if you have any doubts or questions. Dr. Raynald Michel is happy to assist.

Is Your Face or Jaw Swelling?

If you notice that you are experiencing swelling in the face or jaw area, this could be indicative of several oral health conditions, including a dental abscess or a broken jaw. Dental abscesses are a serious dental condition requiring immediate care to halt the spread of infection, ensuring the infection does not move into your bloodstream. If this happens, it could spread to other areas of your body. If your facial swelling is warm to the touch and is paired with gum or tooth pain, it is possible you have a dental abscess, which would be considered a dental emergency.

Do Home Remedies or Pain Medication Help With Your Pain?

There are several home remedies you can go to for pain relief when you are experiencing pain in your teeth or gums. One such remedy is the use of an ice pack for any swelling. You could try taking an over-the-counter pain medication. You may even consider doing a warm saltwater rinse. If your pain diminishes or disappears after employing one of these remedies, you could just be experiencing tooth sensitivity or have a basic cavity. These would not be considered a dental emergency. However, if your pain does not subside, you may require emergency dental care.

Do You Have A Loose or Knocked Out Tooth?

Once one hits their adult years, there should never be a time when a tooth comes loose or entirely out of place. If you feel a tooth wiggling loose in your mouth or has fallen or been knocked out, this would definitely count as a dental emergency. If you find yourself in this situation, you must immediately seek dental care, as it could be the difference between saving or losing your tooth. If the tooth is only loose, do not touch or wiggle it with your tongue. Leave it alone until you can get in for emergency care.

Is Your Tooth Numb?

One sign of a dental emergency that not many are aware of is when your tooth goes numb. If your tooth goes numb, this could be a sign of significant nerve damage or the tooth is dying. Many who have reported their tooth going numb say it did so only after having been a significant source of pain. If you are experiencing tooth pain that suddenly leads to tooth numbness, you should seek professional emergency dental help as soon as possible.

Is There Excessive Bleeding?

While minor bleeding is common for those with gingivitis when you brush or floss, you should never experience excessive bleeding. If you brush or floss and suddenly begin to bleed excessively, you are in the middle of a possible dental emergency. The same goes for if you take a physical blow to the face and start bleeding, feel a tooth loose or knocked out, etc. When excessive bleeding of the mouth occurs, you will want to be seen by a local emergency dentist.

If you find yourself in a possible dental emergency, please seek professional assistance immediately. To reach the Raynald Michel, DDS team, please call (954) 563-5800.

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