In most cases, dental care can wait a week or two until you are able to get an appointment. A dental emergency, however, should be treated immediately. Although the best way to determine whether or not you are having a dental emergency is to consult with our cosmetic dentist and his team of professionals, there are some common symptoms that may indicate a serious dental health problem.
Serious Tooth Pain
While sensitivity doesn’t necessarily indicate a dental emergency, see our dentist right away if the pain suddenly increases. This often means a crack, fracture or worsening cavity. In the meantime, you may be able to reduce swelling with a cold compress and treat pain with certain over-the-counter products. If the pain goes away, though, don’t skip your appointment; that could mean the cavity has progressed to the point of numbness.
Broken or Knocked Out Teeth
If you break or chip a tooth, save the pieces and see our skilled cosmetic dentist right away. If your tooth is completely knocked out, our dentist may be able to replace it, depending on the situation.
Loose Tooth
A loose tooth in an adult is a dental emergency because it could indicate an infection. When paired with swelling or inflammation, it could mean advanced gum disease, which can cause a heart attack if left untreated.
Abscess
This type of infection can spread and cause damage to other teeth and surrounding tissue. If you notice a painful, pimple-like swelling on the gums, seek dental care at our office in Cabot right away. Rinsing your mouth with a mild salt water solution several times a day can help drain the infection and ease the pain.
Jaw Pain
A sore jaw that persists over more than a week or two could be a sign of a cavity or infected tooth. In other cases, the pain is caused by stress from nighttime tooth grinding or TMJ. Get it checked out by our team before it progresses into a more serious issue.
Learn More During an Appointment
To prevent a dental emergency, good oral hygiene is essential. Brush and floss after every meal, and visit the office of Samuel F. Jirik, DDS in Cabot, AR regularly for a cleaning. We proudly serve clients in the Little Rock, AR and surrounding areas. Whether you are dealing with a dental emergency or simply haven’t had a professional cleaning and examination in a while, contact us today to schedule a dental appointment.
