Seek Emergency Dental Treatment For These Problems

Dentists provide emergency dental care for their patients. This can be a great help when you're experiencing pain and time is of the essence. However, in the moment, you may not know what kind of dental problem constitutes a dental emergency. You should seek emergency dental treatment if you experience any of these four issues:

1. Tooth Trauma

Most of the tooth issues people face stem from decay. However, trauma can also compromise the health of your teeth. If you fall and hit your mouth or you're injured while playing sports, your teeth may suffer. Any oral trauma that results in cracks, chips, or completely dislodged teeth should be treated by an emergency dentist. Dentists can splint loose teeth, reattach dislodged teeth, and use oral bonding to repair cracks and chips in your tooth enamel.

2. Sharp Pain

Sharp pain in your mouth is a sign that something is wrong. Cavities are known to cause toothaches, but tooth infections can also lead to pain. If you notice a painful sensation when you bite or chew, or a toothache that persists throughout the day, you should call your dentist for an emergency appointment as soon as possible.

3. Pus

Tooth and gum infections are serious matters. An oral infection that is left untreated can cause a high fever and even a life-threatening brain infection. In addition to pain, pus can signify a tooth or gum infection. If you notice a white or yellow discharge from the base of your teeth or gums, it's important to have your mouth examined by a dentist as soon as you can. Dentists can prescribe antibiotics and treat infections using root canal therapy and root planing.

4. Unusual Numbness

In most cases, a lack of pain means that everything is fine. However, numbness can also signify an oral issue. If you experience unusual numbness in your tooth or gum, it may indicate nerve damage. Severe infections can cause the pulp of your teeth to die, which can result in numbness. A dentist may be able to save your tooth by removing the dying pulp during an emergency root canal. If your tooth cannot be salvaged, your dentist will extract it to remove the source of the problem.

These are four sure signs that you need to see a dentist. If you experience any of these symptoms, there's no need to wait. You should seek emergency dental care immediately.