Routine dental cleanings are essential parts of maintaining good oral health and preventing tooth decay and cavities. However, sometimes dental emergencies unexpectedly occur, or your tooth begins to ache. How do you tell the difference between regular tooth pain versus something a little more concerning?
Here are five signs that may signal you need additional dental work:
Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth is not something that should be left untreated. Not only can it cause significant pain and sensitivity, but a cracked tooth can also pave the way for bacteria to enter the tooth, which leads to infection. The most significant complication of a cracked tooth is the infection spreading to the bone and gums. If you experience a fever, tender glands in your neck, bad breath, or excessive pain while chewing, seek immediate medical attention.
Cracks can appear in the form of fractured cusps, split teeth, or vertical root fractures. Treatment for a cracked tooth depends on the type and size of the crack, your symptoms, and the crack location.
The most common forms of treatment for a cracked tooth include various restorative dental services such as bonding, a dental crown, root canal, or extraction. If a small hairline crack is not painful, your doctor may advise leaving it untouched.
Causes of a cracked tooth include teeth grinding, chewing or biting hard foods, abrupt changes in temperature in your mouth, or age. The best way to prevent a cracked tooth is with good dental hygiene. Other suggestions are avoiding hard foods and wearing a mouthguard if you grind your teeth or play sports.
If you think you have cracked a tooth, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Bleeding Gums After Brushing or Flossing
If you think it is normal to bleed after brushing or flossing your teeth, think again! Bleeding gums typically indicate an underlying problem.
Gum inflammation, tenderness, or bleeding, are telltale signs of periodontal disease like gingivitis or periodontitis. While bleeding gums can also denote other conditions such as pregnancy or injury, they are primarily due to dental reasons.
Gingivitis is developed when plaque stays on the gum lines too long. If the plaque is not removed with regular brushing, it can turn into tartar, which increases bleeding.
Periodontitis is an infection that affects the gums, jawbone, and supportive tissues. It occurs when gingivitis becomes advanced and can result in the loosening of or loss of teeth.
If your gums are currently inflamed, use a soft toothbrush to avoid irritating them further. It is also recommended to use an electric toothbrush and antiseptic mouthwash.
Properly brushing and flossing to remove plaque from your teeth and gum line will significantly reduce your risk of bleeding gums. Your local dentist may also provide periodontal services to help preserve the health of your mouth.
Severe Pain
If the pain your toothache is causing is unmanageable, it is best to contact your dentist as soon as possible. While at-home remedies can treat minor toothaches, severe ones should be looked at by a professional.
We know how uncomfortable throbbing tooth pain can be. The ache can range from constant and dull to sharp only when eating. A severe toothache may be a sign of tooth damage like cavities, infections, or something known as pulpitis.
If the pain persists for longer than a day, you have difficulty swallowing or are experiencing a bad taste or smell from your mouth, do not hesitate to contact us before the problems worsen.
Loose Teeth
As a child, having a loose tooth was always exciting because it meant the tooth fairy was coming. As an adult, having a loose tooth could indicate various dental issues.
A loose or wiggly tooth as an adult could indicate an injury. Whether it was from a car accident or sports injury, you should seek dental treatment immediately if you are experiencing a loose tooth. And even if your teeth appear to be safe, the dentist can also check for nerve or jaw damage.
Loose teeth as an adult can also indicate a localized infection. Treating the infection early on could prevent the extraction of any teeth.
Swollen, Clicking, or Stiff Jaw
If you are experiencing issues with your jaw, you should make an appointment with your local dentist to examine the root cause of the problem.
Swelling around your jaw could signify an infected tooth or an abnormal growth such as a cyst. This is important to get looked at to prevent the spread of any infection and treat the swelling’s underlying cause.
If you are having trouble opening or closing your jaw or noticing a clicking or popping noise, this could indicate TMJ disorder (TMD). Your dentist will be able to focus on correcting the misalignment of your jaw and provide you with relief. Orthodontic treatment can also help align your teeth and jaw.
Treatment solutions for TMD are unique and individualized to the design of your mouth.
Contact Lynn Dental Care Today!
Dental conditions can be excruciating and uncomfortable. If you are experiencing any of the above dental concerns, our team is here to provide you relief. The staff at Lynn Dental Care are the experts you can rely on. Schedule your appointment today to get you smiling again.