Would you know how to spot a dental emergency? What sorts of issues warrant a same-day appointment to our dental surgery and which ones can wait?

If you currently have a dental problem and aren’t sure if you need an emergency appointment, read on.

At Dental Rooms, we are proud of our emergency dentist Wimbledon and will always aim to see emergency cases on the same day that our team is contacted, helping to get you out of discomfort and back on track in no time at all!

In this article, our dentist Wimbledon highlights 5 signs that you have a dental emergency.

Discomfort

Everybody knows that if you have an unrelenting toothache, there is a problem!

And as a problem, it needs fixing and can be resolved by taking an emergency trip to our dentist Wimbledon. If your discomfort is distracting you, causing sensitivity or simply noticeable or worsening then please call us. Discomfort in one of your teeth or even underneath it can point to issues with a cavity, decay, an abscess or an impacted tooth.

Swelling

Swelling to the mouth, face, jaw or underneath the jaw are all red flags when it comes to dentistry.

Even without discomfort or pressure, they can point to problems with an impacted tooth, an infection or even an allergy. So, if you spot a swelling in any of these areas, do not hesitate to contact us for a same-day appointment.

Bleeding

If you play contact sports like rugby, practise martial arts or have recently had a tooth removed, then bleeding from the mouth can seem like no big deal.

But, if you have been applying pressure to the area of the bleeding for 20 minutes and it isn’t slowing down or stopping, then you need to book an emergency appointment with our team to prevent blood loss.

We will assess as to why the bleed isn’t stopping and aim to correct it with either stitches or surgical glue.

Cracking or chipping

Why is a chipped or cracked tooth a dental emergency? Because chips and cracks can spread and you may lose more of the tooth due to the damage.

A crack to the enamel of a tooth can also provide an access route for bacteria; in essence, a smooth tooth is hard to adhere to for bacteria, but if there is a crack or chip, it becomes easier and then decay can set in.

It isn’t worth the risk and a cracked or chipped tooth is easily fixed with a composite filling, bonding or a veneer if needed.

Wobbling

If you have a crown fitted or have had a filling, if it comes loose or is wobbling, that justifies an emergency dental appointment. Even if it isn’t causing discomfort, such an occurrence can lead to an infection if left unchecked and can even cause decay to form and spread. Similarly, if you suspect that your filling is cracked or your crown is cracked, please contact our team immediately to prevent secondary complications.