Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time, even if you take excellent care of your mouth and teeth. Around 22% of American adults have reported experiencing tooth or mouth pain in the last six months. This proves how common dental emergencies are. However, not every toothache or oral issue is considered an emergency. Therefore, you must understand what constitutes a dental emergency and what to do if you experience one.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is an issue with the teeth or mouth that needs immediate attention. Immediate attention may be necessary if the problem can’t be fixed later, a person is in severe pain, or there’s a risk to someone’s health if they wait. Different dental emergencies require different self-care steps. You should call Signature Smile Arts and ask to be seen right away in every emergency. When you tell our dentist at Signature Smile Arts in Chicago about your emergency, they can provide you with any necessary steps you should take before your arrival.
When Should You Call an Emergency Dentist?
There are a few signs you need an emergency dentist in Chicago. If you experience one or more of the following, you need emergency dental care:
- Severe mouth pain or toothache
- You lost a permanent tooth
- One or more of your permanent (adult) teeth are loose
- You’re bleeding from the mouth
- You’re experiencing symptoms of an infection in the mouth
Symptoms of an infection can include severe pain, bleeding, swelling, and a fever. An infection may also present with oozing, nausea, and a feeling of general malaise.
Common Emergency Dentistry Examples
Some dental emergencies are more common than others. A few of the most common emergencies that we see at Signature Smile Arts are below.
Loose or Missing Adult Tooth
An adult tooth that has been knocked out or become loose is an emergency. If you have the tooth and get to the dentist in time, the tooth may potentially be replaced in the mouth and saved. However, as an adult, you should never experience a loose tooth. This may point to a range of serious issues that require immediate care.
Cracked or Chipped Teeth
A cracked tooth or a chipped tooth is sometimes an emergency, but not always. For example, if the broken tooth is jagged and cutting into the gums, this would be an emergency. In addition, severe pain or swelling at the site of the damaged tooth would also constitute an emergency. However, if the damaged tooth isn’t causing you pain, you can wait a few days until you get an appointment to see your regular dentist.
Exposed Nerve
Exposed nerves usually occur in the gums due to injury or due to dental decay. The pain of an exposed nerve is unbearable for most people and requires an immediate solution.
Gum or Facial Swelling
If the face or gums swell suddenly with no apparent cause, you must visit a dentist immediately. Swelling can indicate an injury, infection, or another serious issue that could be hazardous if left untreated for any length of time.
Dental Emergencies Can Happen at Any Time
Dental emergencies can happen without warning no matter how careful you are. Thankfully, emergency dentistry at Signature Smile Arts can help manage or solve the most pressing issues. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact our team immediately.
