Toothaches, or any kind of ache really, are never fun to experience. With National Toothache Day approaching on February 9, 2022, we thought we’d take a look at some common dental emergencies and the importance of seeing your dentist if you may be experiencing any toothaches, oral pain or problems. Remember, if you’re overdue for a dental appointment, call us today to get that scheduled and stay on top of your oral health, which can help avoid some dental emergencies in the future.
Related Article: Toothache Causes: My Tooth is Throbbing! What do I do?
How to Tell It’s a Dental Emergency
Not every situation is a dental emergency, but it’s important to know when you need to call your dentist right away. If you’re unsure, ask yourself these questions:
- Are you in severe pain?
- Are you bleeding from the mouth?
- Do you have a loose tooth/teeth?
- Do you have an infection?
- Have you lost a tooth?
- Are you experiencing major swelling in the face or mouth?
In general, if you need to stop any major bleeding, pain, or save a tooth – there’s no doubt you’re dealing with a dental emergency. Let’s take a look at some of the more common dental emergencies we see.
Related Article: Experiencing Tooth Pain? When it’s Time to Visit the Dentist
5 Most Common Dental Emergencies
- Broken Crown – If a dental crown falls off or completely breaks, it leaves your tooth very vulnerable. Schedule with us quickly to possibly avoid a root canal or extraction.
- Knocked-out Tooth/Teeth – If you’ve ever had a tooth knocked out, you know what a shock that can be. When you act quickly after a tooth has been knocked out, it’s possible that we may be able to reinsert your tooth. Pick up the tooth carefully, try not to touch the root, and gently rinse. Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket, but if you can’t, place in a small container of milk until you see your dentist.
- Unexplainable Toothache – If you have a sudden, out-of-the-blue toothache, it’s important to reach out quickly to discover the source of the pain. While over-the-counter pain meds and a cold compress can help temporarily, it’s good to get to the source of the pain sooner rather than later; your odds of a minor fix will be much greater the faster you see your dentist.
- Bleeding or Swollen Gums – Some minor bleeding or irritation here and there is usually just fine and not concerning. However, if your gums won’t stop bleeding and is accompanied with swelling, it can often mean there’s an underlying health or dental issue that needs to be addressed.
- Food or Object Lodged in Teeth – If an object piece or stubborn piece of food gets lodged, brushing and flossing won’t help. Get professional help quickly to remove the food/object and prevent any decay or irritation.
Related Article: Handling Dental Emergencies
GPS Dental Can Get You OUT of Pain!!
National Toothache Day is not cause for celebration; however, If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, remember Emergency Dental Appointments are Available at GPS Dental. Please give us a call at 210-633-3477 and let us know you are experiencing tooth pain.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment
