Dental Abscess
Oral infections of any type should trigger an immediate call and visit to an emergency dentist. Infections like these often develop at the root of your tooth and generally occur as a result of untreated tooth decay or gum disease. If you recently experienced physical trauma to your mouth, you can also develop an abscess. If you experience a fever, swollen glands, or a foul taste in your mouth, it’s time to visit an emergency dentist for care.
Long-Term Canker Sore
Canker sores are very common lesions that can appear inside your mouth, but generally go away on their own. However, canker sores can also stay for much longer than usual, even weeks. If this is the case or you notice the canker sore becoming infected, it’s considered a dental emergency. Canker sores do not typically last for longer than two weeks and don’t need any professional or at-home care to go away.
Numb Teeth
Teeth that experience large amounts of pain, but then nothing at all, is generally not a good sign. This means that if you have an oral infection, it has likely reached past the hard enamel and developed on the root of your tooth. An abscess may have also reached the root where your sensitive nerves are. In this instance, a root canal may be in order to save your tooth.
Metal Taste in Your Mouth
If you currently have any metal fillings, tasting metal implies that your filling fell out or became damaged in some way. Open fillings are not good for a number of reasons. For one, dental fillings are intended to protect damaged teeth from breaking apart further. Additionally, a metal filling protects the inner areas of teeth from bacteria, which can easily cause an infection if left exposed for too long.
Loose Teeth
Teeth should never feel loose as an adult. If you’re able to move your tooth around, you could have severe gum disease. If you recently suffered from an oral injury, this could also be what’s causing your loose tooth.
Don’t let a dental emergency go by the wayside. Even if you’re unsure of what to do or you don’t understand your symptoms, a dentist in Windermere is just a phone call away!
About Windermere Dentistry
Dr. McKissock and Dr. Thakkar are experts in treating dental emergencies and helping patients get back on the right track when it comes to their oral health. Their extensive training and many years of practice should give you confidence in your emergency care. To learn more about their office or schedule an emergency appointment, you can contact them through their website.
