Extreme dental pain can often times be the first sign that you are urgently in need of an emergency dentist.
Discomfort and severe pain can strike at any time of the day or night leaving you in need of emergency dental care. Don’t ignore the signs!
Access Dental Care offers emergency dental treatment to patients with flexible hours in three convenient locations: Perth CBD, Bull Creek and East Perth.
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Dental emergencies vary in severity and indicators, however left untreated they can worsen and this can have consequences on your overall health and wellbeing. Ranging from losing a tooth to having to undergo serious dental surgery, the consequences of ignoring dental emergencies can be harsh; knowing what to look out for can help you avoid mistaking a dental emergency for a passing concern.
Tooth sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem characterised by sharp sudden pain when teeth come into contact with hot or cold foods and drinks. People with tooth sensitivity deal with this issue regularly and although it is definitely a concern to discuss with your dentist, regular tooth sensitivity is not a dental emergency and can be treated with specialised toothpastes and adapting your eating and oral hygiene habits.
When to worry
Sudden onset of localised tooth sensitivity in response to hot, cold and sweet foods may be an indication of a bigger problem. People who do not normally suffer from tooth sensitivity may experience pain or uncomfortable sensations when eating or even breathing through the mouth if the pulp of their teeth is inflamed. Pulpitis or the inflammation of the dental pulp is caused by a bacterial infection and can be a secondary result of tooth decay. Infection of the pulp can lead to tooth loss if not urgently attended to. A dentist can confirm pulpitis through an x-ray and treat the affected tooth with a filling however in advanced cases the dentists may perform a root canal or remove the tooth completely.
Tooth pain and swelling
Localised pain and swelling are the most common signs of a toothache. Although some home or over the counter remedies can numb the pain and reduce the swelling these symptoms are often signs of a bacterial infection and cannot be fully treated at home.
Pain and swelling sometimes accompanied by an abscess normally near the root of the tooth may be caused by a cavity which not only means your teeth are under attack from bacteria but also that the internal structure of your tooth is vulnerable to bacterial infection.
The result of a decaying tooth can also be a systemic infection such as cellulitis which can spread quickly across the gums into your bloodstream causing pain and swelling.
The pus from a dental abscess will need to be drained before the tooth is repaired through a root canal, a filling or in the worst case removed to prevent further infection and damage to remaining healthy teeth. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to deal with the bacterial infection and prevent reoccurring infection.
Loosening of teeth
Having a lose tooth is normal for a child who is yet to lose their temporary milk teeth. Although it may be uncomfortable, lose teeth are to be expected between the ages of 5 and 12 when milk teeth fall out naturally and are replaced by permanent adult teeth.
When losing their teeth, a little bleeding and discomfort is normal for children however if the tooth is roughly removed or causing pain it is important to talk to a dentist and ensure that all is as it should be.
Loose permanent teeth
When permanent teeth become lose it is always a cause for concern. While moderate to extreme pain can be expected teeth may become lose with no pain at all. Lose teeth are often caused by unhealthy gums and periodontal disease which affect the fibres and connective tissues which hold the teeth in place.
Periodontal disease can result from untreated gingivitis and inflammation of the gums and eventually lead to the loss of teeth if left untreated. Once teeth become lose it is important to make an immediate appointment to see your dentists and start aggressive treatment to try and save your teeth.
Find out more in about when dental emergencies can’t wait.
Emergency dentist in Perth
Seeing a dentist as soon as possible depends largely on the availability of the dentist. At Access Dental Care we have reserved emergency dentistry hours, which allow us to help our patients sooner rather than later. This not only increases their chances of saving a damaged tooth but also limits pain and discomfort for patients.
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