Dental Emergencies: 9 Problems You Should Never Ignore
Explore 9 common dental emergencies and get expert advice from Miranda Dental Centre on symptoms, first aid, and when to visit a dentist.
Dental emergencies are sudden issues that cause pain, bleeding, or mouth damage. These can happen at any time from a midnight toothache to a sports injury. Timeliness avoids infection, more pain, or even tooth loss.
Miranda Dental Centre knows dental emergencies can happen anytime. Therefore, our experts offer fast, reliable emergency service when you need it. Broken tooth, swelling, or lost filling we’re here to ease your pain fast.
In this guide, we’ll cover 9 urgent dental problems you should never ignore. Taking the right steps immediately may help preserve your tooth.
1. Severe Toothache That Won’t Go Away
A toothache emergency is often caused by infection, decay, or trauma. It needs quick care to prevent further problems.
Signs it’s serious:
- Throbbing pain that won’t go away
- Swelling in the face or gums
- Fever or bad taste in the mouth
Until you see an emergency dentist, rinse with warm salt water to soothe and clean. Take pain relief and avoid chewing on the sore side to prevent irritation. Most importantly, call our dentist right away for proper treatment.
2. Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)
Knocked-out tooth is a true dental emergency that should receive immediate treatment. It usually occurs due to acute trauma or impact to the mouth.
Common causes include:
- Sports injuries
- Falls or accidents
- Fights or physical altercations
- Biting into something hard
Immediate steps:
- Pick up the tooth carefully, holding it only by the top (the crown), not the root
- Gently rinse it with plain water – avoid scrubbing or using soap
- Try to place it back in the socket
- If not, keep it moist by storing it in a container with milk or your saliva
- Visit a dentist within 30–60 minutes
Acting fast is key to saving your tooth. Call Miranda Dental Centre for trusted emergency dental services right away.
3. Cracked or Broken Tooth
A cracked or fractured tooth can be due to hard biting, trauma, or teeth grinding. It is also a dental emergency, even though it does not cause pain.
Common causes include:
- Biting hard foods like nuts or ice
- Accidents or falls
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Previous dental work weakening the tooth
Why it’s an emergency:
The inner part of the tooth can be exposed, making it more likely to get infected. The sharp edges bite your tongue or cheek. If left untreated, the crack can spread and do a lot of damage.
First aid until dentist visit:
Rinse with warm salt water to prevent infection and keep it clean. If the tooth is rough, apply dental wax to avoid hurting your mouth. Use pain medication as needed and avoid chewing on the hurt side.
If you need broken tooth repair, see our dentist as soon as possible.
4. Swollen Face or Dental Abscess
A swollen face usually indicates a dental abscess, infected gum or toothache. The infection usually begins when bacteria invade the tooth or gum. Most times, it is the result of neglected decay, gum disease, or trauma.
Causes:
- Bacterial infection from tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Injury to the tooth
Symptoms:
- Swelling in the face or jaw
- Fever
- Bad taste or smell in the mouth
- Severe tooth or gum pain
If untreated, the infection can spread beyond your mouth. This may lead to serious health complications.
Immediate dental abscess treatment is essential. Our expert dentist provides fast and effective urgent dental care to relieve pain, clear the infection, and protect your health.
5. Lost Filling or Crown
A lost filling or crown leaves the sensitive tooth beneath exposed. It is painful, sensitive, and more likely to decay or get damaged. It may be due to regular wear and tear or chewing sticky, hard foods. Decay under the filling or crown can also make the crown or filling loose.
Temporary care tips:
- Keep the area clean with gentle brushing
- Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth
- Use dental wax or a temporary filling to protect the exposed tooth.
Fast emergency dental care is important. It helps prevent further damage or infection.
6. Bleeding Gums That Won’t Stop
There can be some bleeding of the gums at times after hard flossing or brushing. Frequent or heavy bleeding could be an indication of a bleeding gums emergency. It may signal a serious issue like gum infection or disease.
Possible causes include:
- Gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis)
- Poor oral hygiene
- Injury to the gums
- Reaction to certain medications
Seek help if bleeding lasts for minutes or happens often without cause. Swelling, tenderness, or a bad taste are also signs that need attention. These may signal a serious issue needing quick attention.
7. Object Lodged Between Teeth
Seeds or little items such as food will likely be stuck between the teeth. If the condition is a chronic one, it can result in gum swelling, inflammation, or infection.
Don’t use hard things like a pin, a toothpick, or tweezers to attempt to remove it. They can hurt your gums or break off bits of your enamel. Don’t force objects between teeth—it can cause pain or make it worse.
Get assistance if flossing slowly does not work or causes pain, swelling, or bleeding. See a dentist, too, if the item will not move for hours. These are infection symptoms and should be addressed by a professional.
8. Wisdom Tooth Flare-Ups
Wisdom teeth often cause problems when erupting or are impacted in late teens or early adulthood. A wisdom tooth pain emergency can cause back-of-the-mouth pain, swollen gums, or stiffness. Infection may also develop if food and bacteria get trapped around the area.
Common symptoms include:
- Throbbing pain at the back of the jaw
- Red or swollen gums
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Bad breath or unpleasant taste
Pain and infection may come and go in some cases. If symptoms return or worsen, extraction may be needed to avoid complications.
9. Jaw Pain or Lockjaw Symptoms
TMJ issues, trauma, or grinding may result in jaw pain or hard to open your mouth. Such conditions may need to be seen by jaw pain dentist. Such conditions make it painful to chew, speak, or yawn.
Possible causes include:
- TMJ (jaw joint) dysfunction
- Injury or impact to the jaw
- Night-time teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Arthritis or muscle tension
Early diagnosis helps stop the problem from getting worse. It also lowers the risk of it becoming chronic.
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