Dental problems can be scary, and they can get significantly worse over time if left untreated. Taking care of dental emergencies is important because the health of your teeth affects so many different aspects of our lives. Getting help from an experienced Littleton Dentistry can provide relief, but here’s some insight as to what constitutes a dental emergency.
How Can I Tell if It’s a Dental Emergency?
There are a lot of things that could fall under the description of being a dental emergency. The first determining symptom is how the condition is impacting your life. If you’re in so much pain or discomfort that it is affecting your diet, the way you sleep, or simply making everything unbearable, it’s important to seek help from a professional as soon as possible.
When a dental emergency is happening, your body has a very direct form of communication: Pain. This pain can get severe, and waiting for it to pass might not be the best option. Of course, if you get a tooth knocked out or have a fractured tooth or crown, this is a clear indication that the situation might be a medical emergency. But there are other indications that aren’t as overpowering, such as sudden sensitivity to heat and cold.
Don’t Wait For Treatment
Holding off on things like dental pain can make things worse in a hurry. If you’re experiencing a broken or loose tooth, it’s crucial to get those taken care of as soon as possible to avoid infection or worse. Sometimes, you won’t feel how bad things are until they’re already on a path to serious damage. An infection can advance quickly, so it’s important to monitor any pain, and don’t wait to go in if it becomes too troublesome.
Some of the more severe emergencies come about as a result of another traumatic experience – such as an auto accident or something similar. If your teeth were otherwise healthy, this single mishap should be addressed quickly to give your dentist the best opportunity to save your tooth or prevent things from getting worse. When it comes to dental care, being proactive is almost always the best alternative, as waiting can often times cause more harm than good.
Signs of a Developing Emergency
There are a few things to look for that can help you determine if you’re facing a dental emergency, or if one is developing. Pain is an obvious indicator that something is wrong, and always contact your Littleton dentist if you experience something like a loose tooth or lost filling. Indicators like red, inflamed or irritated gums can also be an sign of underlying trouble.
Following a regular regimen of daily brushing and flossing is one of the best ways to prevent dental emergencies, as well as maintaining regular checkups with your dentist. This consistency can also make it easier to detect some of these problems before they become serious issues, as well. For more information on dental emergencies, how to prevent them and how to treat them, contact the experts at Canyon View Dentistry today.
