Feeling like there’s something wrong with your teeth that needs urgent attention can be scary and a little confusing. It’s easy to ask yourself the question ‘is this an emergency? Will I look silly if it turns out not to be one?’. Don’t fret, as below, we take your through some emergency scenarios when it comes to your smile.
Severe toothache
If you are suffering from toothache that’s stopping you from going about your day-to-day life, this warrants an emergency. Whilst it can be tempting to just power through (in true British fashion!) you should look to have this seen, to prevent any irrevocable damage.
Bleeding gums
Bleeding gums isn’t normal, but a small amount of blood is not an immediate emergency – it may suggest that you have the first stage of gum disease, gingivitis. If you notice a significant amount of blood or inflammation around the gums, you should contact us as a matter of urgency so we can take a look. Serious bleeding could indicate periodontal disease that needs looking at, so that tooth extraction is avoided.
Swelling around the jaw
A lump in your jaw can be alarming and cause you a lot of pain – in serious cases, it can stop you breathing properly. One common issue that causes swelling in the jaw is a salivary gland stone, which is where your salivary glands become blocked with calcium due to a dry mouth. They have the potential to be extremely painful and if they are causing a lump, they’ll almost certainly stop you concentrating on anything other than the pain! Salivary gland stones can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding certain medications that dry out your mouth.
An abscess
An abscess is an infection around your tooth’s root, generally caused by severe gum disease or an untreated cavity. Abscesses can be quite discombobulating as they’re sometimes accompanied by a fever or a foul taste and pus around it. You will need an emergency appointment so the abscess can be drained treated with antibiotics. Un untreated abscess can spread to other parts of your head and neck and put your overall health at risk.
Damaged braces
Anything that puts a spanner in the works when it comes to your orthodontic treatment needs to be checked out right away. Complications with your braces has the potential to set you back significantly with your treatment, so please get in touch with us if you have sustained damage to your brace.