We’ve all been there. Something unexpected and unusual is happening. You don’t like what’s going on. You want some advice. You have some questions. It doesn’t feel right, but you’re not sure if it qualifies as an emergency per se. Is it urgent and something to be concerned about? Yes, but is it an emergency?
When in doubt, contact an emergency dentist near you if something stressful is happening. Here is some general information about common dental scenarios and what to keep in mind when trying to decide whether it amounts to an emergency.
A knocked out tooth IS an emergency
If you have a tooth knocked entirely out of your mouth — or broken off in your mouth — you should contact an emergency dentist in Forest Lake as soon as possible. The dentist will be able to help with what is probably significant pain, will be able to help stop bleeding, and may even be able to save your knocked out tooth if you get to the dentist fast enough.
A visible chip or crack in a tooth IS an emergency
If you can see a chip or crack in the mirror, don’t hesitate to contact an emergency dentist. That crack or chip may not be merely superficial, but might penetrate into the structure of and seriously weaken your tooth. What might not look serious may very shortly become a much more serious situation and expose you to significant pain, partial tooth loss, and risk of infection. Call an emergency dentist in Forest Lake and tell them exactly what happened and what you see. Let them guide you in how quickly you should get to a dentist’s office to ensure your health.
If there is pus in the inside of your mouth, contact an emergency dentist in Forest Lake
The presence of pus in your mouth indicates the existence of an abscess in or around your tooth, gums, and jaws. Abscesses and the presence of pus are caused by an advanced bacterial infection that, if not addressed quickly and effectively, can spread beyond your jaw and throughout your body. An emergency dentist will take all necessary urgent action to stop the spread of infection, and to eliminate the infection in your mouth while trying — if possible — to save your teeth.
A toothache MAY be an emergency if it doesn’t go away
Toothaches are an unfortunately common nuisance that may indicate the need for dental attention, but are not usually an emergency dental situation. In fact, there are several home remedies for toothaches that may eliminate the pain without any need for dental attention — routine or emergency. There is an exception though. If your toothache worsens rather than improves, interrupts your sleep, is accompanied by a fever, or is accompanied by pus in your mouth… contact an emergency dentist near you as soon as possible.
Painful bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop IS an emergency
Is bleeding in your mouth an emergency? It depends. If it stops after rinsing and you haven’t lost any tooth or piece of a tooth, it’s not an emergency though you may want to talk to your dentist about it later. If you did lose a tooth or piece of a tooth, that bleeding is an emergency. If your bleeding does not stop despite rinsing, but continues or worsens, describe what is happening to an emergency dentist near you.
Bad breath does not USUALLY indicate an emergency
Bad breath is not, in and of itself, a dental emergency. It can, however, indicate the presence of an infection in your mouth. If that potential infection is causing fever, continuous bleeding, an unremitting toothache, or the discharge of pus into your mouth, there may be an emergency. Bad breath alone is something you should talk to about your dentist on a non-emergency basis, especially if it persists despite good oral hygiene.
By all means, err on the side of caution when it comes to potential dental emergencies. Don’t hesitate to call an emergency dentist near you if you’re concerned about your own dental situation, or that of your children or family.