There is nothing more inconvenient and uncomfortable than experiencing dental emergencies. They can come at any time with little relief beyond booking in to see your local emergency dentist. If it’s your first time experiencing a dental emergency or you are not sure if this issue warrants an emergency appointment, here are some tell-tale signs to note before calling an emergency dentist.
How Do I Know If My Tooth Is an Emergency?
Pain is relative so it’s understandable that some individuals pause before calling the dentist, wondering if this is an emergency or will soon pass and be explored at the next scheduled appointment. Here are some common dental emergencies that you may encounter:
- A tooth or teeth being knocked out
- An infection in the tooth and cavity
- Bleeding from the gums that will not stop
- A crown or filling that has fallen out
- Severe general or localised pain
Oftentimes, medical professionals will ask patients to rank the pain they are feeling on a 1–10 scale, with 1 being not very painful to 10 being the most pain they have ever felt. Do this activity and note what level your pain is at and if it has changed, and, more specifically, if it has increased. You may have pain with no sign of blood or infection and think that it cannot be an emergency, but if your pain is rated very high then that is a sign that you need to have your tooth or teeth checked out.
Another sign may be that you cannot go to work or complete tasks at home without feeling overwhelmed by pain and discomfort. This is a sign that your dental emergency will not be able to wait until your next scheduled appointment and needs to be inspected immediately.
What Is the Most Common Dental Emergency?
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, a significant percentage of hospitalisations for dental conditions could have been prevented with earlier treatment. While that is no help to children and adults currently experiencing pain, sticking to a robust dental check-up plan can reduce the chances of dental emergencies in the future.
The same resource found that the most common dental emergencies stem from tooth loss, gum disease and tooth decay. In fact, the average number of decayed, missing or filled teeth for adults aged 15 and over was 11.2. Of that population, a staggering 32% had untreated decay. These people are very likely to experience a dental emergency due to infections.
Dental First Aid That Everyone Should Know
If you have never heard about dental first aid, you are not alone. If you have yet to encounter a significant dental emergency, you may be unaware of the simple techniques you can apply to reduce the pain and impact of your situation.
If you are experiencing bleeding, use a clean piece of cloth to press firmly on the wound site. Ideally, you will hold this until you see your local emergency dentist. If you have had a tooth knocked out, you should put it in a glass of milk or actually keep the loose tooth in your mouth until you see your dentist.
It is worth noting that these strategies are not permanent solutions, but rather short-term solutions until you receive professional care.
Why You Should Deal With a Dental Emergency Quickly
If you are encountering a dental emergency and are yet to attend an appointment with your local emergency dentist, delaying your appointment may actually cause more harm. Failure to act on a dental emergency may worsen the condition, not only causing more pain for you in the present but also potentially in the future. Our mouths and teeth require regular cleaning as this is an environment that is prone to decay and bacteria if not appropriately managed, and so you do not want the infection to spread as you sit idly.
Your dental emergency may also have a quick resolution when you attend an emergency dentist, whereas an infection or issue that is not acted on may turn into a bigger job that costs more money. By calling an emergency dentist as soon as the issue arises, you are saving yourself the pain and more money by nipping the issue in the bud.
Find Your Local Emergency Dentist In Collingwood
No one ever plans for dental emergencies or can predict when we will need expert assistance. Stanley St Dental has worked with many locals in Collingwood and the surrounding areas to alleviate pain in emergency situations, with patients feeling supported and in control of their dental health. Contact our team today to learn more about emergency dental treatment, as well as book in your next appointment for plenty of quality preventative care.