You should fix dental problems immediately if they cause you pain or put your oral health at risk. However, temporary issues (in some cases) can be monitored for a few days before reaching out to your dentist in Birmingham, AL.
In this blog, we break down the difference between monitoring and contacting the dentist.
When Monitoring an Oral Health Issue Is Okay
In some cases, it’s okay to monitor an oral health development as long as it’s not causing you pain or putting your teeth at risk.
Typically, you can monitor the following:
- A bump to the tooth that causes minor bleeding but clears up the same day without loosening or lingering pain.
- A chip or crack to the tooth can often wait until the next available appointment. However, if it’s causing pain, it is a dental emergency.
- An oral sore that improves over a few days.
If pain and swelling develop, it’s vital to contact your Emergency dentist in Birmingham, AL.
When Dental Treatment Is Recommended
We recommend Dental treatment if:
- You have a sore that worsens or does not heal
- You have a toothache that remains or worsens
- You have a tooth injury (a bump on the coffee cup, for example) that swells
- You have swollen gums or an object (including floss) stuck between teeth
- You have a knocked-out tooth or restoration.
- You have a broken tooth or restoration.
Common culprits of tooth pain, bite issues, and/or swelling include gum disease, early decay, and tooth infection.
Booking an Appointment: How Dentists Decide
First, the dentist looks for signs of infection or other issues that could compromise your dental health, such as a fever, toothache, or spreading infection.
The dentist is also concerned with escalation (your symptoms worsening throughout the day).
When an oral health issue causes discomfort or poses a risk to your health, we consider it a dental emergency in Birmingham, AL, and want to see you immediately.
Call Our Dental Office for Guidance
If you have an oral health change, a team member is happy to assist you, providing practical advice or booking your emergency visit. Call today at (205) 974-0455 to get started.