Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are more common than many people realize. Whether it’s a chipped tooth or unexplained gum pain, these events pop up and leave many people at a loss. Unfortunately, visiting an ER for a dental emergency will likely result in general pain management and a referral to a specialist. If you don’t want to land in that position, an emergency dentist in Madison, WI can help you fix the problem immediately, instead of waiting for the next appointment.
What Counts as an Emergency Dental Situation?
It’s time to visit the emergency dentist if you experience one of the following symptoms:
- Swollen gums: Swollen gums may stem from everyday disorders, like gingivitis, or from a more serious oral infection. If the swelling is severe and painful, it’s time to consult an oral healthcare professional.
- Fever: Fever accompanied by tooth pain is often a sign of an infection. Keep in mind that if you have a tooth infection, it’s possible for the infection to travel to the rest of your body and turn fatal. Seeing the right dentist can be a literal lifesaver, especially if you have a history of heart disease.
- Damaged teeth: A tiny chip on a tooth wouldn’t constitute an emergency, but a major crack or a lost tooth certainly would. When you lose a tooth, it’s possible to reattach it if you address it quickly enough. Just make sure to sanitize the tooth and either place it back in the tooth socket (preferred) or put it in a jar of water for the dentist (last resort).
- Bleeding: A little blood while brushing and flossing can be considered normal, even though it’s a sign that you should get in for a tooth cleaning sooner rather than later. However, if the bleeding is more severe, it could be a symptom of advanced gum disease.
There will inevitably be some disagreement about what is and isn’t an emergency. For example, your spouse may say that their swelling is mild, even though you categorize it as more moderate or severe. In addition, some dental emergencies are medical emergencies in disguise. For example, your swollen gums are a byproduct of a medical condition you’re taking for a different disorder.
In this case, The best thing you can do is call a professional and describe what’s happening as accurately as possible. They Can give you a better idea of whether it’s worth coming in immediately or waiting until later on in the week.
Why Visit an Emergency Dentist
An emergency doctor can treat life-threatening conditions, including a potentially deadly infection. However, for most cases regarding your oral health, they may not be qualified or comfortable performing certain procedures. For every second that goes by, whether it’s a lost tooth or infected gums, you risk passing the point of no return. After that, you may have to rely on workarounds, like implants or gum grafting surgery, which can end up being a lifelong commitment.
At Hilldale Dental our emergency dentists in Madison are here when you need them, so you can at least do everything in your power to avoid bigger dental problems down the line. When you know who to call, dental emergencies can be a little easier to handle, both in the moment and beyond.
