Attending regular dentist appointments is a great way to ensure your teeth stay healthy, but there are various problems that can occur between appointments. This guide explains three dental issues and explains why each one should encourage you to book an urgent dentist appointment for quick treatment, rather than waiting for your next routine appointment.
Your Gums Are Bleeding or Receding
Gum disease is an extremely common complaint, and the early stages tend to manifest themselves in bleeding or sore gums. More advanced gum disease can cause your gums to recede, and can even lead to tooth loss if not dealt with. If you suspect you have gum disease, you should make a dentist appointment to discuss your treatment options. It's important that you get your gums examined as soon as possible, as gum disease can progress quickly if left unchecked. Earlier interventions can include an improved oral hygiene routine and thorough professional cleaning, rather than the surgery that's required for advanced gum disease, so it's a good idea to act early.
You Suspect You Have a Dental Abscess
Dental abscesses are one of the most unpleasant and painful dental problems, and seeing a dentist urgently is absolutely vital if you suspect one. If you have throbbing pain in a certain tooth or gum, as well as sensitivity to hot and cold, pain in the ear and jaw, and swollen gums, you probably have an abscess. You might also find the pain is worse when lying down. As the NHS explains, an abscess will not go away on its own and can spread to other parts of the body causing illness. Book an urgent appointment as soon as you suspect an abscess, as you will probably need a root canal treatment to remove the abscess.
You Have a Cracked or Broken Tooth
Cracked teeth are not uncommon, especially if you're playing sports or eating crunchy foods. Sometimes they can be painful and make your teeth feel sensitive, in which case you should certainly book a dentist appointment to have your tooth fixed. However, even if your crack or chip doesn't hurt, you should still bring forward your next dentist appointment. This is because cracks allow bacteria to enter your teeth, which could lead to a dangerous infection and eventual tooth loss. Remember that broken or lost fillings or crowns could have the same effect, and are also a good reason to book an urgent dental appointment.
Whether you've noticed your gums are bleeding when your brush or you've lost a crown, you should book an urgent dental appointment if you're worried about any aspects of your oral health. Prompt treatment will make you feel better and improve the health of your teeth, avoiding pain and tooth loss in the future. Contact services like Geelong Dental Group to learn more.
Share1 July 2021
I have worked as a school nurse for decades. Children come to me with all sorts of scrapes and bumps and bruises. Black eyes from playing football, sprained wrists from falling off the monkey bars and stomachaches from too many sweets are common complaints. However, the issue that seems to cause the greatest angst is tooth problems. Sometimes a child will have a second tooth knocked out when playing sport and parents arrive in tears. At other times, children come to my office crying because their friends are teasing them about teeth that are discoloured or stick out. I take an active interest in the latest dental news so that I can give parents and children comfort and advice. I have included some of my collected wisdom on these pages. Perhaps this information can help you understand some options when faced with a dental problem. Thank you for reading.