When Does a Toothache Become a Dental Emergency?
A toothache is always cause for concern. That’s why it’s important that you call Bowtie Dental as soon as you suspect there’s an issue with your oral health. Even if a toothache is mild, it’s better to seek treatment before it has a chance to worsen. If you call us by 10 am for a dental emergency, we’ll be able to see you the same day.
Here’s how to tell if your toothache is a dental emergency.
Flossing Doesn’t Help
Try flossing between the teeth that are bothering you. Sometimes, food particles can get stuck between teeth. When this happens, you’ll experience discomfort or even pain until the food is removed.
If you do remove a piece of food, don’t be alarmed if you see a little bit of blood on the floss. If the food particle has been sitting there for a while, it may have irritated your gums.
If the persists, this could be a sign of gum disease or another oral condition. Schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Wyoming for an official diagnosis and to learn about your next steps.
Your Toothache Lasts Longer Than a Day
If you’ve had a toothache for longer than a day, call our office to schedule same-day emergency treatment. Please be sure to describe your dental emergency as best as you can, including any information about your symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling, and unusually red gums.
Related: How to Relieve a Toothache at Home →
You Have Sharp, Persistent Pain
Call our office immediately if you’re experiencing sharp, persistent dental pain. You should also call us for same-day emergency dental care if your pain increases or you experience pain while eating.
A toothache won’t go away on its own, which is why you’ll need to seek urgent dental care. During your appointment, Dr. Langellier will diagnose and treat the source of your pain. The sooner you see our emergency dentist, the better.
It’s difficult to know what could be causing your dental pain until you come in to see our dentist. Sharp pain could mean that you have a cavity, abscess, or any number of other dental issues. At Bowtie Dental, we use advanced technology to determine the cause of your pain.
From there, Dr. Langellier will develop a treatment plan to restore your smile and oral health.
You Have a Dental Abscess
An abscess is a pocket of pus (infection) that may look a lot like a pimple. If you see an abscess by the (or anywhere else for that matter), you need to schedule an emergency appointment with our office.
An abscess could be a sign of infected dental pulp within the tooth that requires an emergency root canal. In rare but life-threatening cases, an untreated infection can trigger a condition called sepsis. An abscess can also make your tooth feel loose. For these reasons, it’s vital that you call our emergency dentist for same-day treatment.
Request an Appointment with Dr. Langellier
Dr. Eric Langellier is an experienced emergency dentist in Wyoming, Michigan. He’s also accepting new patients and is ready to help restore your oral health. To schedule an emergency appointment, please call Bowtie Dental at (616) 532-9003.