There comes the point in all our lives when we’ll say, “It’s just a toothache; nothing to worry about.” If the pain and discomfort last for more than 1-2 days, it could be something to worry about.
Pain is a way of telling us that there is an issue and something is wrong. While it’s commonplace to take some painkillers and ignore it, if it lasts for more than two days, then we should be seeking help.
Dealing with the issue sooner rather than later can prevent costly treatments, relieve the pain much faster, and even save the affected tooth. No one wants to live with pain for longer than they really need to.
Understanding what can cause dental pain and what can constitute a dental emergency will help you determine when you need to go and when you can book a regular check-up.
Toothaches can happen for several reasons, as noted in the following. Some will need to be treated immediately, some need to have a course of antibiotics prior to additional treatment, and some can wait for a regular appointment.
Cavities: Despite the best oral hygiene practices at home, cavities can still develop.
While they may happen slower with a good hygiene system (compared to not), they can still develop over time, and when they become large enough for food to get lodged inside, that’s when they tend to hurt.
Your dentist can book you in for fillings, which can be done at regular appointments.
Infection: Cavities that are left untreated are vulnerable to infections developing. Infections can also happen in the gum lines, which will be noticeable due to redness and swelling.
This could be an injury or a cavity forming close to the gum line. Whatever the cause, this needs to be treated as soon as possible to stop the infection from spreading.
Trauma: People who play sports are the most at risk of encountering oral trauma, but that’s not to say that they are the only ones.
Trauma can be anything that causes an injury to the mouth, from hitting a hockey puck to biting on an apple and chipping a tooth.
If you suspect that you were injured due to trauma, then you should be checked out. Even if the damage is not noticeable immediately, an x-ray may show something that can cause issues if left untreated.
Bruxism: Do you grind your teeth either when you are awake or asleep? This is called bruxism and can have a lasting effect on the tooth enamel and the ligaments that hold the teeth in place.
Long-term grinding will wear down the surface of the teeth and can cause strain on ligaments that hold your teeth in place. You should see your dentist immediately if you feel sudden loosening or pain.
If you are unsure, it’s best to call your dental office, as their trained team are experts at helping you understand what happened and how quickly you need to be seen.
While some treatments can wait a little to be treated, such as developing cavities, anything more needs to be seen as quickly as possible.
Infections that go untreated and result in other health issues or trauma can result in the tooth falling out.
Our oral health, in many ways, is the gateway to other health issues. Infections can enter the bloodstream quickly through our teeth and gums and spread to other organs, thus impacting our overall health. In severe cases, it can even affect our ability to move and speak.
Broken teeth can fall out or impact the surrounding teeth, leading to more invasive treatments such as root canals or bridges.
Fortunately, most dental emergencies can be dealt with quickly and easily, meaning that you’ll spend less time in the dental office.
Oakville Place Dental Office has been proudly serving the Oakville area for over 20 years. We have an expert team who can help you with any treatment needs, emergency or otherwise, in a timely and respectful manner.
We understand that emergencies happen, so when you need an emergency dentist, Oakville Place Dental should be your go-to dental office.
Our friendly and professional staff will accommodate you quickly so that you can see the dentist before it’s too late.
With dental emergencies being taken care of in one visit, thanks to our state-of-the-art on-site technology, you don’t need to spend all your time making multiple appointments and taking more time off from work and family.
Our CEREC machine allows us to develop crowns, overlay, and more on-site so you don’t need to wait weeks (potentially) for the treatment to be finished.
We are proud to offer the Dental Vibe for patients worried about having their emergency treated with an anaesthetic. This technique uses vibration to dull the nerves in the tooth, allowing us to work without injections, thus lessening your anxiety and pain in the process.
Also, with the use of our high-tech Intraoral camera, you can see what the dental team is describing, allowing you to be more involved in the treatment with the ability to understand what the issue is and why it needs to be addressed.
Being seen quickly can be the ultimate decision between saving a tooth with minimally invasive treatment or a dental implant or other extensive prosthetics being required.
Your smile and health are important, and our team works quickly to relieve pain and treat the issue with minimal impact on your day-to-day routine.
So, whether you are looking for a new regular dentist or you have an emergency that needs to be addressed, reach out to us today online or call us at 647-496-2721 and join the Oakville Place Dental family.
0 Comment
