Signs of a dental emergency from our dentist
If you have ever had a dental emergency, you will know that it is no laughing matter and that in most cases it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. 
In recent times, there has been a lot of focus on health-based emergencies, due to the ongoing pandemic. Yet few people know what issues constitute an urgent dental appointment, aside from being in discomfort with your teeth or gums.
Luckily, we are here to shed some light on this problem so you can make the best decisions relating to your dental health.
At Coptfold Dental, we are proud of our emergency dentist Brentwood and the services that we provide for patients who are experiencing a dental emergency. We will always aim to see you within 24 hours of you calling the clinic, so that you can get back on track as soon as possible, free from discomfort.
But what are some of the signs that you shouldn’t ignore relating to your dental health? Our emergency dentist Brentwood provides the following symptoms which should press alarm bells.
Discomfort
As mentioned before, a clear indicator that you need to see our emergency dentist Brentwood is that you are in discomfort with one of your teeth. This can feel like a bruising sensation, a burning or extreme discomfort when pressure is placed onto the tooth. You may also have sudden extreme sensitivity when drinking hot or cold beverages. If you notice this, you need to contact our team promptly as you may have a dental abscess forming. Which is certainly considered an emergency!
Swelling
Swelling to the face, under the jaw or anywhere in the mouth needs to be explored, even if it has occurred gradually or has appeared suddenly. Remember, swelling does not have to cause discomfort to be considered a dental emergency. As before, sudden swelling can point to a dental abscess whereas gradual swelling can point to a more insidious problem such as an impacted tooth. Both of these will need to be explored by our team quickly and require urgent resolution.
Missing or loose fillings/crowns
Known as restoratives, fillings and crowns often come loose or fall out. And while it can be easy to overlook this and consider it not important, this issue needs to be resolved by our team as soon as possible, even if it isn’t causing discomfort.
A lost restorative can expose the underside of the tooth and will likely attract bacteria and plaque. If left unchecked, this can form decay or can prompt the formation of a dental abscess.
Cracked or chipped enamel
Like before, cracked or chipped enamel can expose the tooth to bacteria, which can then fester in a small space and cause a cavity to form in a difficult location. The treatment for cracked or chipped enamel is typically a composite filling, which is minor compared to having to undertake a root canal for an abscess that can also occur due to chips or cracks being ignored.
Ulcers
Many people have suffered from oral ulcers, especially if they are ill or stressed. But if you have an ulcer in your mouth that is larger than a 5 pence piece, keeps reoccurring in the same spot or is bleeding, you need to see our team promptly. These symptoms can point to oral cancer and should not be ignored.