Many people expect a dental emergency to be something dramatic and obvious, like accidental trauma to the tooth or a tooth being knocked out of its socket. Because of this expectation, many people fail to notice signs that their smiles are facing another type of emergency. When you don’t seek treatment for it promptly, the situation can become significantly worse, leading to the need for extensive treatment to fully restore your smile. Today, we explain a few times when your dental emergency isn’t so obvious, and what you can do to better protect your smile from such circumstances.
Tooth damage that you don’t notice
Tooth damage is a common type of dental emergency, and when it’s severe or occurs because of accidental trauma, you may notice the damage immediately. However, what makes tooth damage such a problem isn’t whether or not it’s noticeable. Even if it isn’t, the problem will be how the damage affects the health and integrity of the tooth. If left untreated, your tooth’s damage will continuously get worse, and in severe cases, it could lead to the tooth’s loss or a need to extract it. While the problem may not be obvious, most forms of tooth damage (even hidden ones) will cause one or more symptoms that will warn you of it. If you notice any sensitivity in your tooth, or feel a rough edge or crack when you run your tongue over it, then have your dentist examine your teeth and oral health to find out if the tooth needs emergency treatment.
Sensitivity that doesn’t seem severe
Sensitivity in your tooth can be one sign that the tooth is damaged, but that isn’t all that your toothache might mean. It could also indicate the presence of tooth decay, which leads to the formation of a cavity, or the development of gum disease and the exposure of your teeth roots as your gums recede. The biggest problem with tooth sensitivity is that, when it’s minor, it can be easy to ignore or write off as insignificant. Yet, it will grow more severe over time, and if you don’t seek treatment for it as soon as possible, you could be faced with more complex oral health concerns.
A restoration that fails before you realize it
If you’ve had a tooth restored before, then you might believe that the tooth is safe and no longer a concern. If you take proper care of your restoration, then this can be largely true. However, if the restoration fails, then the threat to your compromised tooth structure can become much more significant, much faster. The most effective way to ensure your restoration doesn’t fail, or to catch it and fix the problem early if it does, is to maintain a consistent schedule of checkup and cleaning visits with your dentist.
Learn if you have a dental emergency
Not all dental emergencies are as obvious as you might expect, which is why it’s important to take all signs of trouble seriously. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
