Everyone advises their kids about the importance of taking care of their teeth, but few of them lead by example. Dental care can be time-consuming, especially on a busy schedule. The American Dental Association notes that as much as 42% of Americans don’t see their dentists as much as they want to. When people avoid seeing their dentist regularly, issues start popping up that they have to deal with as they occur. Eventually, when you don’t maintain your teeth properly, you have to deal with an emergency dental visit in Orlando, Florida.

Emergency dental visits can be scary things. You never know what’s wrong with you, and sometimes it can be because you’re in extreme pain. Even so, some people avoid seeing the dentist because of an irrational fear of them. If you have any one of the following situations, however, you should really schedule an appointment with your dentist, no matter how afraid of them you are.

Loose or Shaky Tooth

If you’re between the ages of six and eleven, this might just warrant a regular doctor’s visit. However, as Healthline notes, if you’re an adult and you have a loose or shaky tooth, it may be time to check your dentist immediately. Loose teeth may be due to a tooth injury that you need to deal with as soon as possible to prevent infection. Having loose teeth may also be a sign of a localized infection. The loose tooth may wiggle and hurt, indicating that bacteria are attacking the nerves. Either of these situations demands an emergency dentist’s visit.

Metallic Taste in your Mouth

As a teenager with metal braces, a metallic taste in your mouth might not be strange. As an adult, however, a metallic taste could be a sign of something far more sinister. If you have any metal fillings in your mouth, the taste might be a sign that your filling has become cracked or loose, and you need to replace it. If you don’t deal with this immediately, it could lead to cavities, toothaches, and even an abscess. When it gets to this point, your dentist in Orlando, Florida, will have to perform a root canal to save your jaw. If you start tasting metal, do yourself a favor and call your dentist immediately.

Bleeding or Inflamed Gums

Your gums are one of the most overlooked parts of your body. If they start to bleed, you may need to schedule an emergency dental visit. The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) mentions that if you realize your gums are bleeding when you brush your teeth, it may be the first signs of gum disease. While this might not always be the case, when it comes to your health, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Talk to your dentist at your earliest convenience.

Your Gums are Receding

Gum disease progresses if you don’t deal with it. When your gums were bleeding, if you opted to ignore it, your gums might eventually start pulling back from your teeth, exposing more of them in the process. Receding gums are a sign of advanced gum disease. While this by itself is an issue, gum disease and heart disease have significant links, according to Harvard Medical School. Your dentist may be your only hope in treating gum disease promptly, so an emergency visit is a necessity.

Accidentally Cracking a Tooth

When you have a cracked tooth, it is more than just an inconvenience. A crack in the enamel of a tooth exposes the pulp to bacteria immediately. The longer you leave it unchecked, the more likely it is to lead to infection. The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) report that symptoms of a cracked tooth may vary, from pain while chewing that happens unexpectedly, to sudden, sharp pains when you expose the tooth to extreme hot or cold. As soon as one or more of these symptoms show up, call your dentist for an emergency appointment immediately.

Your Jaw is Swollen

Dentists deal with more than just your teeth. A swollen jaw is a dental emergency since it may be a symptom of a larger problem. While a swollen jaw may be a sign of an infected tooth, it might also happen because of a tumor or cyst. If you have trouble opening and closing your mouth, or when you do so, it clicks, this may be a sign of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction, which Medline Plus mentions might require surgery in extreme cases. Dealing with an issue like this early on would require scheduling an emergency dental appointment.

You have a Persistent Mouth Sore

Lesions happen inside people’s mouths without prior warning. Canker sores are an example of common mouth sores that appear and disappear as a regular part of life. If a sore remains inside your mouth for an extended period, it may be time to call in your dentist. When you have a mouth sore that persists for more than fourteen days, checking your dentist should be your number one priority. It might be no cause for concern, but the Mayo Clinic mentions that a persistent mouth sore could possibly be a symptom of oral cancer.

Chronic Bad Breath

Bad breath is embarrassing, and with the sheer number of products on the market today that deals with combating this problem, many people don’t see it as a big deal. However, consistent, chronic bad breath is a potential symptom. Depending on the type of odor, extended periods of chronic bad breath may suggest you may be suffering from bowel obstruction to diabetes. If you’ve been fighting bad breath for a long time, you may want to schedule that emergency appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Your Mouth is Always Dry

Dry mouth (xerostomia to specialists), which may have an underlying feeling to stickiness, is a serious concern. Saliva is a necessary lubricating agent for the mouth. It also has certain antibacterial components that keep our teeth safe from bacteria. A dry mouth can lead to infection if left unchecked. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research mentions that lack of saliva increases a person’s risk of fungal infections or cavities within the mouth. Dentists can usually spot the causes of dry mouth. Still, even if they don’t see anything wrong, they can refer you to a doctor who may be able to help. The first step to dealing with dry mouth is setting up an emergency appointment.

You Have a Severe Toothache

Toothaches are a part of life, and we all get moments where our teeth hurt for a bit and then go back to normal. However, if you have a persistent toothache, it’s a sign that things may not be great in your mouth. Toothaches, according to WebMD, happens if the nerves that are inside or around a tooth become irritated by bacteria being present. Severe toothaches that don’t let up are a huge cause for concern. Home remedies can only do so much, so calling your dentist should be at the top of your list of priorities.

Dental Emergencies Happen

There’s no need to fear your dentist. However, because of the way people think about their teeth, their concern about whether it’ll hurt comes first. While a dental visit might hurt, leaving your teeth to the ravages of nature will hurt more in the long run. Emergencies happen, but they’re less likely to occur if you visit your dentist often. At Serene Dental, we’ve dealt with emergencies of all types. if you need an emergency dental visit, contact us today, and we’ll get right on it, even scheduling regular follow-ups for complete treatment. Contact us now!