Our mouth is the window to our overall health. There are some common symptoms that we may experience when our mouth signals us that there is something wrong with our body. Some signs will be more noticeable, and ignoring them may call for serious trouble down the line regarding our health.
When to Visit a Dentist Immediately?
You may need to contact an emergency dental care if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Ongoing Bleeding Gums – When gums bleed whenever you brush your flosses or teeth, it indicates prospective gum disease. Often you may floss after a couple of months and may find some blood. If this blood lasts for 1 or 2 days, it is not a case of worry, but if this continues, then you need to see a dentist right away.
- Dry Mouth – Mouth dryness can occur due to several reasons. This can be due to allergies, side effects from medicines, or dehydration. But remember, this can also indicate severe disease. So consult your dentist at the earliest.
- Pus in the Mouth – When you see pus accumulating in your mouth, consult with your dentist immediately. It can be a gum or dental abscess that you must address immediately. Pus is a form of infection that can spread and lead to serious medical issues if not treated at the right time. In extreme cases, bacteria can be fatal as this can spread in your brain. Dental infections, if left untreated, can cause sepsis.
- Tooth Feels Numb – Lack of sensation and excessive sensation in the tooth indicates that you need to get your mouth checked. It may require a root canal. The numb feeling can be due to a big cavity or a crack in the tooth. Besides, trauma or injury to the tooth, teeth grinding, dying tooth due to chronic tooth decay, or biting something hard can also make the tooth feel numb. In case your child suffers from numbness, then consult an expert such as the best pediatric dentist in Phoenix AZ.
- Dental Abscess – This is a severe and painful infection. Untreated gum disease or cavities are the two key causes. Oral abscesses also occur because of tooth trauma. Dental abscesses are of two forms- periodontal abscesses that happen in the gums beside the tooth and periapical abscess that occurs in the tooth root. Some of the common symptoms include swollen glands, pus, and fever. However, this may also happen due to other infections. Thus it is vital to consult a dentist.
As per the severity, the dentist may also suggest your surgery to clear the infection. You must not neglect the abscessed tooth as this can be life-threatening. The infection may spread to the nearby tissue and result in a bone infection. After an abscess, you may develop a bacterial infection called Ludwig angina can cause swelling in the tongue and neck. If you do not go for emergency help, this can result in suffocation and death.
- Lesions on the Throat, Lips, or Tongue – When you discover lesions on the backside of the throat, lips, or tongue, go for an emergency dental consultation. Oral cancers may be aggressive, so if neglected can become severe.
- Suspected Broken Jaw – Are you suffering from acute jaw pain due to a hard fall or a blow on the face, and then you are likely to have a broken jaw. It is a sensitive matter which needs a trip to your dentist's office immediately. Ensure to tie some soft material surrounding the head for immobilizing the jaw and preventing further injury.
- Wisdom Teeth Sensitivity – You may experience toothache due to wisdom teeth. When it is impacted and pushes on the next teeth, it can cause discomfort. During a situation when your tooth is wholly or partially erupted and has decay, it can cause acute pain. When your gum tissue is above the third molars, partly in the lower jaw, this can develop into a condition known as pericoronitis. The tissue will get inflamed and painful because bacteria will get harbored under the gingiva. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your dentist right away.
- Unusual Sensitivity – You may experience exceptional sensitivity to eating sweet things, pressure, cold, or hot. Such symptoms can occur by conditions from simple gum recession to severe concerns like decay, a cracked tooth, or an infected tooth.
- Constant Headaches – If you have persistent headaches, then it is a case of worry. The reason behind your headache can be you are sick, stressed, or had something cold. But if the headache is recurring and chronic, then it is time to consult a dentist. It can be due to the grinding of the teeth or bruxism.
Oral health is crucial for your overall health. Hence, begin to treat your mouth with that concern and care which it deserves. Get in touch with a dentist for the best results.
