Tooth problems are common among the people of Los Angeles. But, when does a toothache become an emergency? Tooth pain that robs your sleep needs quick medical attention. If you cannot eat your meals in peace due to a hurting tooth, you need immediate dental care. So, how do you find an emergency dentist in Los Angeles? Search the internet for an emergency dentist near me in Los Angeles. You’ll land on Southland Dental Care – the experts in treating severe toothache, among other emergency dental problems.
So, what is a dental emergency? Which dental issues can wait? And, which ones cannot wait a day? Being able to determine what an emergency is and what is not is quite important. By doing this, you will prevent small issues from developing into large ones. You will also save money in the long run.
Here are the common signs of a dental emergency
You are Experiencing Severe Tooth Pain
Minor toothaches are common among many people and can be treated using simple home remedies. On the other hand, you cannot ignore severe and persistent pain. This kind of pain stays on for days or weeks and becomes more severe day after day. In many cases, severe tooth pain is an indication of an underlying dental problem. You may be suffering from an infection or significant tooth damage. Besides that, you may experience unbearable tooth pain while pregnant. Such toothaches require immediate dental care.
There are several steps used in treating emergency tooth pain. The first step involves emergency toothache relief. Here, you are given medication to ease the pain. Next is the diagnosis of the problem. Lab tests and examinations are done to determine the cause of the pain. When the cause is known, the appropriate treatment plan is then administered. After treatment, you may be required to attend follow-up clinics.
You Have a Loose Tooth
Loose or wiggly teeth can cause debilitating discomfort and pain. You cannot ignore it. In adulthood, your teeth should be sturdy and healthy. As such, wiggly teeth show that all is not well. You must act fast and seek dental care immediately. Wiggly teeth may fall off if treatment is not done speedily.
Several factors cause teeth to slacken off. Trauma around the mouth is one of the common causes. Such injuries are often incurred in car accidents or sporting events. Medical conditions, such as gum disease, may also loosen the teeth. Regardless of the cause, you should seek medical attention as soon as you notice wiggly teeth. Usually, oral examinations will be conducted to determine the severity of the injury. The treatment option will depend on what is bringing about your loose teeth. It will also depend on whether the jaw and nerves around the teeth are injured.
You Have Bleeding and Aching Gums
Bleeding and aching gums isn’t normal. Recurring and excessive bleeding of gums should get you concerned. If the gum is also swollen and continuously aching, you should make a dental appointment immediately. These symptoms may be a warning sign of gingivitis or gum disease. Treating the gum is essential in making sure that your teeth remain intact and healthy. Gum disease should be your major cause for concern. It develops into quick and progressive stages and may lead to severe teeth loss if it goes unattended.
The first step in emergency gum treatment is to determine the stage of the gum disease. The stage you are at will then determine the treatment plan to use. The early stages of gum disease are easy to treat. On the other hand, there are fewer chances of restoring gums to their healthy state in the advanced stages. Therefore, you should seek urgent dental care as soon as you notice the symptoms of gum disease.
Your Tooth Is Fractured
It will help if you do not ignore a broken or chipped tooth. If the crack or chip is small and doesn’t pain, you can wait for your regular visit to the dentist. But, if there’s a significant chip or crack, you should visit an emergency dentist immediately. A fractured tooth may cause severe tooth pain as well as damage to the gum and adjacent teeth. Seeking immediate dental care will help to save the tooth and alleviate the pain. The broken tooth may be fixed with a crown, bond, or veneer.
You Have a Swollen Jaw or Mouth
Swollen jaws call for urgent dental care. In many cases, the swelling is caused by an infection. A mouth infection can be life-threatening, and that is why it should not be ignored. Therefore, you must see an emergency dentist when swelling appears in the mouth area. The swelling might occur in the lymph nodes, gums, or jaw.
One of the most common infections of the mouth is salivary gland infection. It is caused by bacteria that obstruct the functions of the salivary gland. The saliva is unable to digest food properly and wash out harmful bacteria from the mouth. Other symptoms of the infection include difficulty in swallowing and breathing, fever, and nasty taste in the mouth, in addition to a swollen jaw. Even so, salivary gland infection is rare. It would help if you still saw an emergency dentist rule out the cause of the swollen jaw.
You Experience a Metallic Taste
Even with crowns or fillings, you shouldn’t taste metal in your mouth. However, you may experience a metallic taste if the filling or crown is leaking or loose. In such a case, you need to book an emergency dental appointment immediately. A leaked filling or crown invites cavities and infections that might necessitate a root canal. You can avoid this by seeking emergency dental care. During your appointment, the missing pieces of the filling will be replaced. By doing this, the tooth is protected from infections and further damage.
Your Teeth Are Numb
Numbness of teeth might occur after an episode of severe pain. Usually, the tooth stops to ache, and you experience no feeling at all around the tooth. This is an indication that the infection has shifted to the roots. The tooth may lose its ability to feel pain when the pulp and root regions are infected. Numbness might bring some relief from severe tooth pain, but it’s not a good sign. If the infection is untreated, you might need a root canal.
You Have Unexplained Headaches
Dental problems may lead to constant headaches. The head and the teeth are connected on a very close range. It means that problems inside the mouth can easily result in headaches. Gum disease and tooth decay may cause a chronic headache. You could also be suffering from tooth grinding or bruxism. Seeking prompt dental care is the only way to bring an end to your headaches. You’ll get the problem diagnosed and receive the appropriate treatment.
You Got a Dental Abscess
A dental abscess requires urgent dental care. It is triggered by a bacterial infection that causes pus to collect inside the gum or tooth. One of the significant symptoms is pain that emanates from the tooth and spreads to the neck and jaw. You may also experience fever and swollen red and shiny gums.
Typically, a dental abscess is caused by untreated gum disease and cavities. It some cases, an abscess might be caused by trauma that had led to breakage or cracking of a tooth. Treating a tooth abscess often involves minor surgery. This is necessary to ensure that the pus is drained out completely.
Taking care of your oral health includes seeking emergency dental care when the need arises. If you are wondering what to do if you need an emergency dentist, here’s the solution. Contact South Dental Care immediately and find the most reputable emergency dentist in Los Angeles. We’ll alleviate all the pain you’ve been experiencing and restore your smile.