Do You Need to See an Emergency Dentist?

Posted on: 18 July 2017

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Sometimes it's obvious that you should stop what you're doing and visit an emergency dentist; if your mouth has suffered an impact and you've chipped a tooth or had one knocked out entirely, then of course this is a dental emergency. However, there are other times when you may wonder if your problem is truly an emergency or if it can wait until you can make a standard appointment for an office visit. Note a few factors to keep in mind to help you decide how soon you should see a dentist if you think you're having a dental emergency.

Lost filling

A lost filling itself may not be a true dental emergency, but keep in mind that teeth are usually drilled before a filling is installed so that there is room to hold that filling securely. If that filling falls out, you now have a weakened tooth with a large exposed surface, which may be more prone to cracking and chipping. That exposed area in the tooth may also be more likely to hold food particles, germs and bacteria, all of which can cause tooth decay. It may also be very painful to eat or drink anything, and especially hot or cold foods and beverages. This is why you want to make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible if you've lost a filling.

Swelling of the cheek

First, determine the cause of the swelling; have you suffered an impact or injury, or have you bitten or cut the inside of the cheek? If so, you might pack that area with ice and note if the swelling goes down. However, if there is no specific reason for the swelling and ice doesn't seem to address it, this can indicate an oral infection; in this case, it's usually good to see an emergency dentist.

Odd tastes

If you have a metallic taste in your mouth, you may simply need to brush and floss and then rinse your mouth thoroughly, to remove built-up bacteria and germs that create this metallic taste. However, if you can taste blood, you might have an impacted tooth or sores in your mouth that you can't see, but which may be bleeding somewhat. These should be checked by a dentist as soon as possible. If you can taste bile, this may mean that you have a digestive disorder or a condition like acid reflux disease, and should talk to your family doctor as soon as possible, rather than your dentist.