Symptoms of a Dental Emergency

It’s easy to spot an emergency that involves broken teeth or heavy bleeding, but it’s not always easy to identify more ambiguous symptoms that might represent a dental emergency, and others which are less serious; most people could probably be forgiven for confusing the two. Here, we’re going to examine the typical warning signs or a dental emergency, and take a look at some of the symptoms which are often mistaken for more critical conditions.

What are the symptoms of a real dental emergency?

It’s important to arm yourself with the knowledge to deal with any kind of emergency, especially when the situation itself can make it difficult to function productively, and a little preparation also goes a long way in difficult circumstances.

Spontaneous pain – This is normally provoked by chewing or applying pressure to the area in question, and is, as it sounds, very painful. Spontaneous flashes of pain can be related to any number of dental conditions, and should be seen by a dentist right away, as it normally points to an infection of some kind. This type of pain is very difficult to ignore, and is not likely to be mixed up with any generic toothache you might experience.

Long-lasting pain – Another thing that’s bound to grab your attention is pain that lasts for hours, even disturbing your sleep. Toothache that remains at a high level and just won’t budge should definitely be given medical attention, it could be a sign of deeper infection spreading into your system, particularly if it continues or flares up without any stimuli.

Excruciating toothache – If you take over-the-counter medication and it has no effect on the pain, you should make an appointment with your emergency dentist as soon as possible. Most emergency surgeries, such as the one at the Pearl Dental Clinic in London, operate a twenty-four hour service, so there is help available every hour of the day, even on Christmas Day and Bank Holidays. Painkillers like Ibuprofen should take no more than about half an hour to begin working, and they are great at alleviating mild to moderate toothache, but they can’t do much when faced with excruciating pain that spreads from the teeth to other areas of the body. Be careful if you have been prescribed stronger medication by your GP, you should always stick to the recommended dose and follow professional advice at all times.

Swelling around the face – Without treatment, this symptom could cause breathing difficulties, which definitely constitutes an emergency. Dental problems associated with inflammation and swelling usually come with a lot of discomfort as well, so it’s unlikely that you will miss the other signs that warn you about your condition. If you notice your face swelling from the outside, it’s time to get to the surgery, because this represents more than just a painful bout of toothache, you could be at risk of septicaemia and even death.

Heavy bleeding or tissue lacerations – It should be obvious that this requires medical attention, and if the situation is serious, you are better off going to the hospital than the dental surgery – dentists won’t have the equipment to deal with heavy bleeding or any other life threatening complications. Even if you are in pain from your injuries, you should avoid taking anti-inflammatories, such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen, because they are anti-coagulants, and they will only stall the clotting process.

What kind of thing is not a dental emergency?

There are some symptoms that can be mistaken for a dental emergency, when they are really just a sign that you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can, before the condition of your teeth worsens. Any kind of ill feeling can cause you to worry, but keeping a clear head is conducive to receiving the right treatment at the right time, so try and stay calm, even if you think your problem is developing into an emergency.

Short bursts of pain – Shooting pains that occur occasionally when you bite or chew something, are not worth losing sleep over, just get in touch with your dentist and arrange a consultation. This type of toothache can be quite painful and alarming when it first arises, but it’s often the first indicator that something is not right with your teeth – possibly a cavity or small fracture, rather than a symptom of a life threatening illness.

Heightened sensitivity – This is usually characterised by a sharp ache that is felt when you eat or drink something very hot or very cold. Our teeth are highly sensitive to temperature, so it’s good to be wary of some foods, but the pain should not last more than a few seconds. If you are worried that your sensitivity is a symptom of something underlying, arrange an appointment with your clinic, and avoid eating anything that might cause the pain to flare up.

Painless abscesses – Abscesses certainly need to be treated by a dentist, but if you aren’t in any immediate pain, there’s no need to panic and rush to the clinic. Swellings that are accompanied by fever, nausea, and other referred pains will definitely get your attention and should be taken seriously, but small abscesses that don’t cause you discomfort can be dealt with in due course. If you notice any adverse symptoms that could be related to your dental condition, go to the hospital and get checked over by a doctor.

What kind of thing can be dealt with at home?

Mouth ulcers – Ulcers can develop quickly, and might be a little bit painful, but a small dollop of antiseptic gel, such as Bonjela, should calm the inflammation and quickly get rid of the problem. If you consistently develop large, sore ulcers, speak to your doctor, you may have some underlying medical conditions that need to be treated.

Cold sores – They might be painful and unsightly, but cold sores are certainly not a dental emergency. If you have a problem with recurring sores, you should speak to your GP about medication, there are several products available that can sooth your discomfort, don’t call the dentist, they can’t help.