Whether youāve taken a tumble, bit into something with force, or had something run right into your face, a chipped or broken tooth can be unsettling. While you may often not feel any pain, it is important to understand what can be termed a dental emergency.
Hereās a quick guide to help you identify a dental emergency and where to go for care.
Is every chipped tooth a dental emergency? Believe it or not, you can have a chipped tooth without it causing any major issues in your eating habits or speech. Hereās how you know which chip or crack in the tooth needs immediate, on-demand dentistry intervention:
Minor chips: These are barely noticeable chips at the edge of the tooth that are categorised under cosmetic issues.
Moderate cracks: These cracks could cause sensitivity in the tooth to cold or hot foods and beverages. These are also more noticeable in their appearance, needing treatment from emergency dentists sooner rather than later.
Severe chips or cracks: These chips or cracks go right to the root of the tooth, leading to significant pain and can cause infections. Severe cracks can be called a dental emergency and need immediate intervention from an emergency dentist.
Obvious Signs You Need an Emergency Dental Appointment
Youāve figured out the severity of the crack in your tooth but are still unsure if itās worth an emergency dentist visit. Here are some signs you shouldnāt ignore:
Pain or sensitivity
Pain in the tooth is the first indication that something isnāt quite right.
If youāre experiencing excruciating pain or sensitivity in your cracked tooth when you consume hot or cold foods and beverages or while chewing, you need to visit your dentist as soon as possible.
Bleeding or swelling
Noticed swelling or bleeding in your gums around a chipped or cracked tooth? Itās time to head to the closest dental clinic for an emergency dental appointment.
Loose tooth
If your tooth is more than just cracked and is starting to feel wobbly, itās best to see your closest emergency dentist here in Melbourne. With timely intervention, your dentist might just save your tooth.
Visible damage
Often, minor chips to your teeth are missed or disregarded. But if it’s a crack large enough to be seen from afar, you know it’s best to get it checked out. The more you delay the teatment, the more the damage is bound to be.
While no one can predict emergencies, knowing what to do when youāre in one can save you precious time. But what you can be prepared with is looking for a trusted āemergency dentist near meā that you can head to at the first sign of a dental emergency.
