Signs You Need Emergency Dental Services In Garland, TX

DR. Sakunthala Boppana Explains Some Dental Emergency Situations in Garland, TX

Sometimes a dental emergency is unprecedented such as when you have been in an accident, but at other times, it is of our creation, such as ignoring the toothache or the clicking sound coming from your jaw joint. The crucial question is when should you head for emergency dental services? We are here to help you decide.

 Loose tooth- While losing our baby teeth to the tooth fairy used to be exciting, loose adult teeth are something that you should be worried about. There can be multiple reasons for an adult tooth to become loose. Some are sports injuries, accidents, gum problems, bruxism, stress, pregnancy, and certain medications.

Sports injury is a prevalent cause of loose teeth. Therefore, always wear your mouthguard to protect your teeth. If the tooth has come out of the socket completely, don’t try to brush it. Just run cold water over it and store it in a saline solution or milk. If you reach your dentist within the first 45 minutes, your tooth will likely survive and return to health.

Accidents might involve not only your teeth but also other facial bones. It would help to rush to your dentist or ER for the required first aid and mitigate the damage.

Gum health can also impact your teeth. A gum disease known as periodontitis gnaws away at the bone surrounding your tooth, causing your gums to detach from them and recede. You can prevent this by caring for your gums, i.e., following your oral hygiene routine industriously. You should see your dentist immediately to avoid the loss of a tooth or emergency tooth extraction.

Bruxism is the habit of grinding teeth at night. It can be due to various reasons. But if you don’t talk to your dentist and get a nightguard, you might fracture your tooth and damage your jaw joint or the TMJ.

Stress is another factor that leads to frequent clenching of your teeth, resulting in loose teeth. Avoid stress because it will never solve your problems, but your dentist will. So, make an immediate appointment with your dentist if your teeth need help.

Pregnancy causes a surge of female hormones, which tend to relax the ligaments and joints. So, if you feel your teeth have become loose, don’t panic; it is temporary. Just try to maintain your oral hygiene.

Certain medications, such as phenytoin, used for seizures, can cause loose teeth by interfering with calcium absorption, which, in turn, can weaken the bone and your teeth. Talk to your doctor to get the dose adjusted but don’t stop the medication without consulting your doctor first.

Bleeding- a tiny amount of bleeding while brushing or flossing your teeth might seem harmless, but it is just the beginning of gum disease, which can even lead to tooth loss. Gum disease such as gingivitis (gum inflammation) can progress into a severe form called periodontitis (gum inflammation involves the bone of the tooth socket, and teeth become loose as a result). Treatment will depend on the stage of gum disease, and therefore, you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Pain- A toothache is as alarming as pain in your jaw joint. Dental caries or cavities start minor but give them some time, and the bacteria reaches the center of the tooth, which houses its nerve and blood supply. If you are experiencing excruciating pain accompanied by swelling and fever, it is a dental emergency.

A painful and swollen jaw joint should also is a dental emergency since it may result in the locking of the jaws or severe headaches in no time. Generally, your upper and lower jaw bones slide on each other at the joint. However, they may become painful and swollen because of various factors such as stress or bone disorders. Timely dental intervention can save you from experiencing a dental emergency.

Swelling- Any swelling that has formed recently, inside or outside of your mouth, painful or non-painful, should be treated as a dental emergency. A swelling inside your mouth might indicate a dental abscess caused by a tooth infection. If left untreated, it can spread to other oral planes and lead to breathing difficulty, difficulty swallowing, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth. It might also mean that a salivary gland duct is blocked. In any case, visit your dentist immediately.

Oral growth or sore- any oral lesion that doesn’t heal within two weeks should be a matter of concern. It might be oral cancer or a dental emergency.

If you need help regarding any of the above, do it immediately. Please don’t wait for it to become unbearable. So, pick up your phone and call our office at (469) 804-5677  to book an appointment with your Emergency Dentist Near You.