Dental emergencies can take any number of different forms, and this can make it difficult for a patient to know how they should respond to these situations. After reviewing the answers to questions about a few of the more common dental emergencies that can arise, you should be able to respond in a prudent manner when these issues arise.

What If One Of Your Fillings Falls Out?

If you have received a dental filling, it can be easy to forget about it. However, it is a reality that these fillings may be able to fall out of the tooth. This can occur due to trauma or decay. When the portion of the natural tooth around the filling becomes weakened, it will be more likely to fail when you bite down.

In situations where your filling has come out, you will need to act quickly, as this can expose your tooth to a much higher risk of developing decay or infection. Luckily, you can purchase an over-the-counter dental cement from most pharmacies, and you can apply this cement to the area where the filling was located. This cement will gradually degrade, but it can provide your tooth with protection until you are able to see a dentist.

Will A Cracked Tooth Be Easy To See?

Cracked teeth can be another fairly common problem, but it is often assumed that a cracked tooth will be easy to notice. However, it is possible for your teeth to sustain microcracks. These cracks will be extremely difficult to notice, but they can severely compromise the integrity of the tooth. The symptoms of a microcrack are extremely similar to that of a cavity, as you will experience general sensitivity and possible swelling, and these issues are likely to worsen. If you do not have the microcrack filled quickly, it may lead to a larger crack that can only be repaired with a crown.

How Can You Tell Whether Your Tooth Is Developing An Abscess?

Dental abscesses are another issue that will need immediate attention to limit the damage to your teeth. When an abscess forms, a pocket of bacteria and pus has formed. This issue will likely worsen and spread until it is removed.

Typically, the warning signs of an abscess will develop slowly at first, but the symptoms may rapidly worsen once the infection has become sufficiently severe. This issue will often start as minor swelling around the base of a tooth that is accompanied with general discomfort. Eventually, this problem an also result in pus being discharged into the mouth as well as the infection spreading through the body.

Contact a dental clinic in your area for more information.