There is nothing more unnerving than waking up in the middle of the night to find that the dental pain you had during dinner has not only not gone away, but has gotten worse.
This can lead many people to panic and start to question whether or not they need a same-day emergency dental appointment, which it totally will! However, you may not be aware that while discomfort is the most common symptom of a dental emergency, many other symptoms may not necessarily be uncomfortable that also highlight that you need to see a same-day dentist Sydney as soon as possible.
What are some of these signs? Read on to find out.
Discomfort
Discomfort is the most obvious sign that there is an underlying issue with one of the teeth in your mouth. This sensation may feel like a throbbing, a burning, a bruising, or it may simply feel overly sensitive when you breathe. This can be caused by extensive tooth decay and abscesses, or even an impacted tooth.
If the discomfort is driving you to distraction, preventing you from eating or preventing you from sleeping, then you need to seek same-day advice as soon as possible. Even if the discomfort feels intermittent but is excruciatingly difficult to ignore, this also needs to be taken up with your dental team.
Swelling
Swelling is a common symptom when a person has an abscess, an impacted tooth or, in severe cases, an allergy. If you notice that you have had swelling to your gums, your inner mouth, or your throat, or you feel that your breathing has suddenly become restricted, this requires urgent medical attention. Swellings can continue to grow and may obstruct your ability to breathe or eat food.
Wobbly tooth
Wobbly teeth rarely just happen (unless you have had blunt force trauma) but if you have been suffering from bleeding gums and now feel that one of your teeth is moving when you eat, this needs to be assessed by an emergency dental team. They will be able to splint the tooth to the nearest stable one, provided that there is no extensive gum disease which has destroyed the surrounding tendons.
Bleeding
Bleeding from the mouth is not an emergency unless it is constant and goes on for longer than 20 minutes with applied pressure. If you notice that your bleed is not slowing down, you need to see an emergency dental team as soon as possible to have the area examined and potentially stitched or glued back together to prevent blood loss and lightheadedness
Ulcers
Most people have had ulcers in their mouths when they have been ill or have been stressed. And while there is nothing abnormal about ulcers in most cases, if you have recurring ulcers in the same part of your mouth, this needs to be explored as it can be an early sign of oral cancer, especially if you are a smoker. If you notice that one of your ulcers is larger than a 5 pence piece, this needs immediate attention.
DISCLAIMER OFFSITE
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.