When it comes to dental issues, it’s critical to know the difference between problems that need immediate attention and those that can wait until morning. It’s important to be wary because a seemingly small dental issue can turn into something serious if left untreated. You should contact us at dental emergency Winnipeg any time you experience any of the following dental problems:
Severe Dental Pain
A severe toothache is often a result of inflammation of the pulp chamber and may be caused by dental cavities, trauma, and/or infection. Sometimes, the pain can be accompanied by bleeding gums. Ideally, we advise patients to prevent toothaches by observing proper dental hygiene, but some some dental issues are caused by factors other than hygiene - an impacted molar is one such factor. Regardless of the cause, an increase in the severity of dental pain is considered an emergency and should be treated as such.
A Completely Dislodged Tooth
If a tooth is knocked out of its socket, fast treatment can potentially save it but if you can’t get it to the dentist within one hour, the chances of saving the tooth significantly diminish. Once a tooth is totally dislodged you will need to handle it with care so the dentist can insert it back in. Pick the tooth up by the crown and not the roots (in fact, you should never touch the roots). Rinse it in warm water very gently so you don’t tamper with tissues attached to it. If possible, you could carefully put it back into the socket, and then bite down gently until you get to the dentist. Otherwise, put some milk in a small container and put the tooth in it. Get to the dentist as soon as possible so they can reattach the tooth.
A Partially Dislodged Tooth
A partially dislodged tooth is also a dental emergency because without quick intervention, the tooth may eventually fall out. A cautionary measure, in this case, is to avoid touching the tooth with your fingers or tongue. Disturbance to surrounding tissues holding the tooth will make the process of reattachment more difficult. To reduce pain and swelling, you can place an ice pack on your face on the way to your dentist.
A Lost filling or Crown
Restorations or fillings are not meant to last forever; at some point they will fail and need replacement. Unfortunately, restorations may fall out unexpectedly and this may cause you extreme pain or discomfort. If you've lost a filling or crown, you can use over-the-counter pain medications before you get to your dentist. You could also use some dental cement to cover the tooth surface before getting to the dental office.
Your Tooth Goes Numb
You were experiencing severe toothache then all over sudden, you have no pain at all. A case of spontaneous remission? No, not all! With dental issues, when your tooth goes numb, it’s often a sign that the infection has spread to the root of your tooth - to the nerves. This is a problem ready to explode. Instead of waiting for a nasty surprise, dial your dentist immediately when a painful tooth becomes numb.
Most dental problems start off minor and if ignored become emergencies. To avoid dental emergencies, you should always address all minor dental issues.