While initially you were able to convince yourself the pain was dismissible, the past few days have caused you to reconsider. What was once a minor discomfort has turned into a chronic, sharp pain that is even making eating your favorite meal an unpleasant experience. It’s time to face the music: you need to do something about your tooth.
However, in the current pandemic, it can be difficult to know whether you should use an at-home remedy or schedule a same-day dentist visit. Your emergency dentist in Covina shares the difference between urgent vs. non-urgent dental problems.
What Dental Issues Are Considered Non-Urgent?
Whether it is a dull pain or sharp irritation to hot and cold, your teeth and gums are never shy about letting you know when something is wrong. While any issues with your teeth or gums warrant a visit to your dentist, non-urgent dental issues do not require a same-day visit. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the below conditions fall into that category:
- A dull toothache.
- A tooth with a small chip or crack that is not causing you any pain.
- Aesthetic dental issues (stains, gaps, etc.).
What Dental Issues Are Considered Urgent?
On the other hand, issues that involve unusual bleeding, severe pain, or dental trauma all warrant an emergency visit to your dentist. These conditions require immediate treatment to be fixed. Here are a few recognized by the ADA:
- Pain from a bacterial infection.
- Severe chips or cracks in your teeth.
- Abnormal bleeding.
- A knocked-out or loose tooth.
- Significant swelling of the gums.
- Unyielding toothache.
6 Pain-Relief Options
To provide lasting pain-relief, a dentist must treat the root of the issue. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you call your dentist to find out what next steps you should take. Even if the dental injury occurs outside standard office hours, they may have an emergency line or specific instructions on their voicemail about what to do depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. If you are unable to get in touch with your dentist or have a non-urgent issue that requires pain relief, try:
- Swishing a saltwater solution in your mouth to prevent infection and reduce swelling.
- Applying an icepack to ease inflammation.
- Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide and water to relieve pain and soreness.
- Using peppermint tea bags to soothe your gums.
- Taking over-the-counter medication.
Dental issues can be painful, inconvenient, and downright unpleasant. If you find yourself experiencing acute or chronic discomfort in your teeth or gums, make sure to give your dentist a call so you get fast, effective relief!
About the Author
Even before graduating from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry with high honors, Dr. Tran’s passion for dentistry was evident from spending hours as a child at his dad’s dental practice. Today, he provides patients with fast pain relief thanks to his expertise and extensive emergency background. If you experience a dental emergency in Covina, don’t hesitate to visit his website or give him a call at 626-331-0688.