Dental problems will typically become more dangerous and serious the longer they are left to fester. If you notice signs of dental issues, you need to make sure to book an appointment with an emergency dentist, like Boston Dental. The emergency dentist will ensure you get the treatment that you could desperately need. Here are ten warning signs that you can not ignore. 

Bleeding Gums 

One of the first signs that point to you needing an emergency dentist is also one of the most common. Bleeding gums can be due to not brushing your teeth enough but they may also be the first sign of gingivitis. When left untreated this can quickly develop into tooth decay. Here, the teeth in your mouth essentially start to rot. Caught early, gum disease can be reduced and even reversed but this is only possible with the support of an emergency dentist. Be aware that if left untreated, gum disease can reach a point of no return. At this stage the only treatment option is surgery. Getting immediate treatment for bleeding gums from an emergency dentist will help you avoid this. 

A Chipped Or Broken Tooth

Be aware that your teeth are not invincible and they can get damaged. This could be due to an accident such as a sports injury or potentially chewing something that’s too hard. Even a minor chip or crack can impact the integrity of the tooth and cause it to wear away over time. As such, it’s important to get a fix as quickly as possible. 

There are multiple ways to repair a chipped or broken tooth. This includes the possibility of a dental crown. A dental crown ensures that the teeth are held together and guarantees further damage is prevented while ensuring that your teeth function normally. 

Chewing Hurts

While there are various reasons why it might hurt to chew, they all mean you should be seeking out dental assistance immediately. If it hurts to chew it could be a sign of a damaged tooth or a loss of enamel. Regardless, this needs to be rectified quickly to prevent further damage. 

Dental treatment can work wonders here and even provide the protection your teeth need when they have been left exposed due to the gums or enamel wearing away. Cracks can also be quickly fixed if this is the issue. 

A Swollen Jaw Or Mouth 

The good news is that a swollen jaw is usually the result of an infection that is quite common. In most cases, it will typically be a sign that your salivary gland is infected. This stops the mouth from being able to break down food and rid the area of bacteria. 

However, it is worth noting that this type of infection will still require emergency dental treatment. A swollen jaw will usually just be the beginning. You will notice a bad taste in your mouth, you could develop a fever and trouble breathing. It is possible for an infection like this to have fatal consequences if left untreated. A dentist will quickly be able to get it under control. 

 A Loose Tooth

Your teeth can play tricks on you. For instance, did you know that dreaming of your teeth being loose is a common psychological phenomenon? However, if you feel your tooth and notice that they seem loose or that they wiggle this can be worrying. Unfortunately, loose teeth is never a good sign. Most of the time, a loose tooth or multiple loose teeth will be a sign of trauma. However, it is possible that this is another sign of an infection. This could be due to gum disease.

Without immediate, urgent medical attention, you will likely find that the tooth does fall out. It’s also possible for the infection to spread to other areas of your mouth and for you to lose multiple teeth. A dentist will be able to help you avoid this by getting an infection under control. 

Your Teeth Are Numb

Have you noticed that you can no longer feel a tooth or multiple teeth in your mouth? Be aware that this is a sign of a serious infection where the issue has spread to the root of the tooth. This type of lack of feeling or numbness usually points to an abscess that has reached the root. It could be impacting the nerves that connect to your tooth which means that you can no longer feel it.

When an infection reaches this stage it needs to be treated immediately. Failing to do so will result in severe and potentially permanent damage to your gum line, your mouth, and your teeth.  

There’s a Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is usually caused by a cavity that hasn’t been treated but it can also be a result of serious gum disease. Trauma can also cause an abscess, including a chipped tooth. If you have an abscess, there are going to be a few symptoms that you should be aware of. You might find that you have a foul taste in your mouth and you could also notice that your glands are swollen. As it gets worse it is possible for an abscess to cause issues with a potential fever. This is also going to be incredibly painful so most people won’t be able to suffer through this condition for long.

Regardless of your pain threshold, you will definitely need emergency medical treatment. This will ensure that the infection is both drained and treated. A professional dentist will usually be able to complete this in one session and ensure that the issue doesn’t get any worse. 

A Canker Sore Is Growing Worse

You might think that a canker sore is normal and this is true, as long as they don’t linger. If however, they last longer than a couple weeks, you do need to make sure that you contact your dentist as soon as possible. 

While it may be nothing it’s always vital to get an issue like this checked out. It could be the first sign of a serious underlying medical condition. You may also find that your canker sore is infected and dental treatment can provide the solution you need for this issue. 

Consistent Headaches

A headache can be caused by a variety of issues. You can even get a tension headache due to stress. Chronic or recurring headaches may be more serious and could connect to your teeth. You might be suffering from anything from bruxism to teeth grinding. 

We suggest you book a dental appointment as soon as you start to notice constant headaches. Believe it or not, the solution can be quite simple and it may just be a matter of getting a mouthguard to stop you from grinding your teeth at night. 

A Metal Taste

You might have started to taste metal in your mouth. While a search online might point you in the direction of a cancer diagnosis but this is unlikely to be the case. Instead, it’s far more likely that a metal filling is a culprit. Usually, if you start to taste metal then this is a sign that a metal filling has fallen loose. 

While not life-threatening, we still recommend you seek urgent medical attention if you notice this taste in your mouth. Ultimately, with the filling loose, your tooth is exposed. At best, you’ll experience toothache and at worst you could have to deal with anything from a cavity to a root canal. We know root canals are painful and unpleasant but if you get treatment straight away, you can avoid this completely. We’ll help ensure you do dodge a painful procedure by fixing that filling as soon as possible. 

If you have any of these symptoms and think it may be an emergency situation contact Boston Dental immediately. We’ll work with you to get an appointment scheduled ASAP so we can assess your symptoms and get you the treatment that you need.