Extreme Tooth Pain and 3 Other Reasons to Call an Emergency Dentist

When is the right time to see the emergency dentist in Pittsburgh? Many patients don’t want to take time out of their busy schedules to make an appointment if they think their symptoms aren’t serious, but there are many situations where ignoring your dental pain or an injury in your mouth will only lead to even more severe consequences. Don’t waste time second guessing yourself; call your practice as soon as you notice one of the 4 following signs of an oral health issue that needs immediate attention.

1. Severe Tooth Pain That Doesn’t Go Away

A dull toothache does need to be examined as soon as possible, but it doesn’t necessarily require immediate attention. On the other hand, if the pain reaches severe levels and shows no signs of stopping after a couple of days, you’ll want to get in touch with your dentist in Pittsburgh as soon as you can. You can reduce tooth pain with ibuprofen and similar medications, but if an infection has occurred, you won’t be able to completely stop it without root canal therapy or another professional treatment.

2. Visible Tooth Damage

Every cracked or broken tooth should be treated as a potential emergency until you’ve had a chance to visit the dentist. You won’t always feel pain, and in some cases the damage won’t even be enough to really threaten the tooth structure. Even then, though, there’s a chance that the pulp at the center of the tooth is now vulnerable to infection. Furthermore, until you’ve confirmed that it’s still safe to chew with the tooth in question, you shouldn’t be taking any chances.

3. Swollen Jaw

Swelling is one of the surest signs of an infection. If the jaw (or any structure in your mouth) becomes swollen, it most likely means there’s something wrong. It could be an advanced form of gum disease, the ultimate result of a tooth infection that was left alone for too long, or it could even be a sign of salivary gland infection (which could end up stopping your saliva from cleaning your mouth).

4. Bleeding, Aching Gums

Seeing a little bit of blood on your dental floss is usually an early warning sign of gum disease. Once bleeding has become excessive and leaves your gums aching, the condition has likely become too advanced to be reversed with good oral hygiene. You need to make an appointment as soon as you can if you don’t want to lose your teeth.

There are all kinds of dental emergencies that might come up even if you’re staying at home. Let your dentist in Pittsburgh know about any worrisome symptoms as soon as you can; if you do need urgent care, waiting is never a good idea.

About the Author

Dr. Dan Rairigh has completed advanced training in sedation administration so that he can always help his patients feel at ease when they come to Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh for emergency care. His years of experience and education make him highly skilled at finding high-quality, individualized solutions for all kinds of health problems. He is ready to accept emergency patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. To schedule a tele-appointment, visit his website or call (412) 854-2310.