Emergency Dental Care
EMERGENCY DENTISTS IN SARASOTA, FL
No one loves a toothache. That’s why you need a good dental office on speed dial for just such occurrences. If you’ve been fortunate enough to avoid a dental emergency so far, Kudos! We salute you, but that doesn’t mean one isn’t on the way, especially if you have kids. If you’re wondering exactly what constitutes a dental emergency, we have the 411:
Severe Toothache
Severe toothaches absolutely top the list of painful dental problems that require emergency care. Even though it was probably a long time coming, a toothache can feel like it strikes all of a sudden. One moment you’re contentedly eating lunch, and the next you’re in dental straits, unable to think about anything except the throbbing pain that’s radiating throughout your whole mouth.
With the exception of trauma, toothaches are usually caused by tooth decay, although fractures, loose fillings, and infected gums may also play roles. Book a dental appointment as soon as you can if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Constant, sharp or throbbing pain in your tooth
- Swollen, painful gums surrounding a tooth
- Bad-tasting drainage from an infected tooth or gums
It’s especially important to see your Sarasota dentists if symptoms are accompanied by fever or headache, as these could be signs of spreading infection.
Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth is one in which pus has formed, causing an infection in the gum, and if you’ve ever had one, you would know. This dental emergency is accompanied by severe pain in your tooth and gums and may include fever, headache, nausea, swollen lymph nodes in your neck and even swelling in your face.
An abscessed tooth typically causes a painful knot to form on your gums. If left unattended, the abscess may eventually clear, though it may reappear again later if the tooth isn’t treated. An abscess can also spread, however, and in rare cases, it may be potentially fatal if the infection spreads to the brain.
Contact your dental professional right away if you’re suffering the symptoms of an abscessed tooth.
FACIAL INJURY
Injuries to your face or mouth can be dental, as well as medical, emergencies. If your tooth is cracked, fractured, loosened or knocked out, you’ll want to get treatment right away. An injury that’s bad enough, such as one to the maxilla, or the bone that forms your upper jaw, can worsen if left untreated and may even require surgical repair.
INEXPLICABLE JAW PAIN
If your jaw just suddenly begins to swell or hurt for no reason, it could be your teeth to blame. Severe jaw pain qualifies as a dental emergency because there could be a larger issue, such as TMJ Syndrome, at work.
If you’re suddenly suffering a dental emergency in the Sarasota area, call our office right away. We’ll do all we can to fit you into our busy schedule to alleviate your pain and discomfort.
