Sign You May Have a Dental Emergency

You’re enjoying your favorite ice cream out with your kids when you notice that slight twinge of sensitivity. No big deal if it goes away, right? While this may be true at first, sensitivity can be an indicator of deeper problems. How do you know if you have a dental emergency? Our emergency dentist, Dr. Stephen Wardlaw answers with some helpful tips and suggestions.

Increasing Dental Pain or Sensitivity

If your sensitivity is becoming increasingly worse, or prolonged, it may be an indicator of a fracture or infection in your tooth or root. This is the time to be proactive and call I-20 Family Dental. When we detect these conditions early on, they can often be treated with a less invasive procedure such as a dental filling. If left untreated, your infection can spread, become worse and more painful, and even lead to tooth loss.

Jaw Pain or Headaches

Chronic headaches or jaw pain, especially in the morning, can be a sign of clenching and grinding your teeth, otherwise known as bruxism. When you suffer from bruxism at night, it can cause a host of problems including jaw joint issues and excessive wear to your teeth. Be sure to mention these symptoms to Dr. Wardlaw as he can recommend the right protective oral appliance for you.

Swelling

If you’re experiencing swelling along your jaw and mouth, this can point to a tooth or gum infection. While it could also mean that you have a swollen lymph node, it’s best to get it checked out with Dr. Wardlaw to make sure. Contact our office right away if you notice dental swelling.

Metallic Taste in Your Mouth

If you have older metal fillings in your mouth, a metallic taste may be an indication that they’re failing. Because metal contracts and expands, metal amalgam fillings do break down over time, and will need to be replaced. Once they’re compromised, it’s important to replace them so you don’t end up with a bigger problem such as an infection that would need a root canal.

Contact I-20 Family Dental

You oral health is too important to risk! If you have a question or concern about sensitivity or pain you’ve experienced, even if it goes away, we encourage you to call us. Being proactive can help you avoid more painful and costly dental situations.

When in doubt, give us a call!