Many people associate a dental emergency with physical discomfort.
Which is, to be frank, usually an associated symptom. But due to many people having a general lack of information or lack of knowledge relating to dental emergencies, many patients may be inadvertently delaying urgent treatment. Which, simply put, is not great!
So, what are some of the most common symptoms of a dental emergency that a dentist Sydney CBD may see in their practice? Read on to find out.
Persistent discomfort
As mentioned before, many people who are experiencing a dental emergency are likely to experience discomfort, especially if the emergency revolves around a dental abscess. The discomfort can take the form of a bruising sensation, a burning sensation, or even discomfort when pressure is applied to the tooth when eating or drinking. If you notice a persistent discomfort under one of your teeth, then you need to seek out same-day dental treatment to have the underlying cause diagnosed and treated.
Swelling
There is a stereotype relating to dental emergencies and a swollen face. But this is with good cause, as many people who require same-day dental treatment may often present with swelling to their cheek, face under their jaw or somewhere in their mouth. As before, a leading cause of this can be an oral infection, but it can also point to an impacted tooth, which will also need to be assessed and treated. Remember, even if the swelling that you are experiencing is not causing discomfort, it still requires a same-day assessment before it begins to cause issues with your breathing and eating.
Bleeding
If you play rugby or another contact sport, bleeding from the mouth may not seem like a big deal. But as any dental team will tell you, if you have a persistent bleed from your mouth which is not slowing with the application of gauze after 20 minutes, then you need to seek same-day assistance from your nearby emergency dental team. This will allow them to either stitch or cauterise the wound and ensure that you do not suffer from blood loss as a result of the injury.
Lost restoratives
In general, dental care restoratives are fillings and crowns, and while they can offer restoration to teeth damaged either by decay or trauma, they often come loose. Especially if they are made from amalgam metal and expand due to the presence of hot tea and coffee. But if you suspect that your filling or crown has come loose, then you need to seek out your emergency dental team to restore it and prevent infections from setting in. If you have lost a crown or filling completely, but are not experiencing discomfort, you will still need to attend an emergency dental check-up.
Cracked or chipped enamel
Following on from the earlier analysis of being a rugby player, cracked or chipped enamel may not seem like a major issue. But like a lost restorative, it can allow bacteria to gain access to the area underneath the enamel. And there, it can create issues with decay and dental infection. So if you have a chipped tooth or notice a crack, you need to have this treated as soon as possible.
DISCLAIMER OFFSITE
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.