As we get older suddenly we realised many things we didn't appreciate about being young - being fit, having smooth skin and having all your own teeth. As our loose teeth (and bridges) struggle to deal with chewier food we start eating bland mush and, there is no easy way to say this, OLD PEOPLE FOOD. I'm determined not to let that happen to me and I'm doing everything I can to keep my own teeth as long as possible, and when that's not possible to get the best possible teeth replacement. If you are like me and want to keep on eating whatever you want, I think you'll like my site. It's all about dental health and teeth replacement & maintenance.
Keeping your teeth young
Never Overlook These Signs That It's Time to See an Emergency Dentist
Mabel Hicks
Not all problems with your mouth and teeth mean that you need to see an emergency dentist; some problems can wait until your next appointment while some are more urgent and should be taken care of sooner rather than waiting for that appointment, but they aren't necessarily emergencies. That being said, you never want to overlook signs that you need to see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Note a few of those signs here.
Unexplained spots in the mouth
You may know what a canker sore looks like and may know that you bit the inside of your cheek so that a cut is visible, but other spots in the mouth should be checked right away. White and black spots may be signs of oral cancer and these should be examined immediately; as with most forms of cancer, you have a far better chance of treating it if you start that treatment sooner rather than later. Never assume spots are just some type of rash or hives or something else that isn't likely, but have them checked as soon as you notice them.
Locked jaw
Your jaw might be stiff from having slept on it or from grinding your teeth at night; you might also clench your jaw during the day without realising it, causing the muscles to tense up. However, if your jaw is locked so that you cannot open it or cannot open it without severe pain, you want to see a dentist right away. This may be a sign of tetanus, a bacterial disease that affects the jaw in particular. You may notice other muscles of the body tightening at the same time; if so, this is an emergency situation that should be treated at once.
Signs of an infection
When your body is fighting an infection, you may notice a high fever, upset stomach, stomach cramps, sweating and the like. If you have any of these types of symptoms along with any pain in the jaw or mouth, you want to have this checked as quickly as possible. An infection in the jaw or under a tooth can lead to serious complications that might cause you to lose a tooth. An infection anywhere in the body can also travel to other areas of the body; fighting the infection also weakens your immune system. Rather than overlooking this or thinking the infection will just go away, visit an emergency dentist to see if medical intervention is necessary.
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