Knowing When You Have a Dental Emergency

When a tooth hurts, it’s really disruptive. The pain alone can stop a person from getting through their day, concentrating on what’s important, or even being able to just communicate or eat without wincing. Worse, when a tooth has a problem such as a major infection flareup or getting knocked out, things go from bad to worse. Without being treated right away, the condition sets the stage for serious health problems that can grow exponentially. Everything from hurting as bad as a migraine to a fever can happen.

However, not every bad tooth is an emergency. So, understanding what makes a bad tooth a situation that needs an immediate response helps tremendously. Remember that many ramifications happen, assuming a tooth problem is an emergency:

1. The patient has to find a dentist who can respond, which can be challenging after hours and on the weekend.
2. All things considered, pursuing emergency treatment will probably take most of the day from beginning to end.
3. It commits the dentist to a full review of the patient, which means the same dentist is also unavailable for another patient’s emergency.

So, taking an emergency seriously impacts more than just the patient; it impacts multiple people.

Tell-tale Signs of an Emergency

There are certain conditions that flat-out put a tooth problem well into the emergency category. These conditions are so clear-cut they are immediately recognized as medical situations that must be addressed without delay. These dental conditions include the following:

• An extreme toothache with pain that is completely off the scale
• An abscess, especially one that has become infected
• A loose adult tooth
• A tooth that has been partially broken or entirely knocked out
• A fragment tooth base missing the top
• An apparent crack in a tooth that is visible or a chipped portion is missing

Dental Conditions That Should Wait for an Appointment

While finding a cavity might seem alarming, in most cases, it’s been there for a while already, and the discovery isn’t the kind of thing that needs to be addressed with an immediate emergency response. In fact, most patients only know they have a cavity once a dentist finds it during a regular exam (another reason why regular exams are such a good idea). 

Another common issue involves general toothaches. A toothache often happens because some foreign matter, like food, gets trapped in the gums between the teeth. Left in place, swelling begins, and the location can become sore. However, that doesn’t mean it equates to an emergency. Frequently, flossing, brushing your teeth, and vigorous rinsing with water can shake a lot of particles loose, solving the problem almost immediately. 

Getting Help When it Matters

If you’re dealing with a severe dental situation and need emergency relief in Mesquite, Texas, the North Mesquite Dental Group and Dr. Tina Foss can help. Our team can address everything from abscesses to damaged teeth, including after-hours and weekend needs. In a true emergency, time matters, and we understand this factor makes a huge difference, especially with teeth removed by trauma. Call us if you’re in Mesquite, TX, and let us help you with an urgent dental care response that works. Call us today at (972) 619-7763.

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