Dental Issues: Important Vs Urgent
- Oct 10 2021
How do I know if a dental problem I am having needs to be taken care of immediately?
It’s a rare and extremely fortunate person that has never experienced a toothache. But, there are toothaches and there are TOOTHACHES! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know the difference between one that can wait a few days for an appointment and the other which needs to be taken care of now. That said, there are a wide range of dental issues, and some require more immediate attention than others.
Obviously, everyone is different and no two dental issues are exactly the same. There are, however, some general guidelines for those that are more routine as opposed to those issues that need to be taken care of as soon as possible.
Dental Issues Requiring More Immediate Attention
While not to be considered an all-inclusive list, these are some of the most common dental issues that should be taken care of as soon as possible:
- Any bleeding in the mouth that does not stop
- One or more teeth that have been broken or knocked out due to some sort of trauma
- Abscess causing localized pain and swelling
- Postoperative osteitis, commonly referred to as a “dry socket”, resulting from a tooth extraction
- Pain or swelling around a tooth or anywhere in the mouth
- Pain in one or more teeth
- Pain in the jawbone
- Loss of crown, filling or bridge
- Gum infection
- Abnormal tissue that may require biopsy
- Post-surgery follow-up appointment for stitches removal, dressing change, etc
- Adjustment of braces causing pain in gums, cheeks, lips or tongue
- Denture adjustments, especially during cancer treatments
Important But Not Urgent Dental Care
This list includes dental care that, while still important, is not urgent and can be addressed in a regularly scheduled appointment:
- Routine examinations and cleanings
- Regular x-rays
- Scheduled visits for adjusting braces
- Cavities that are not causing pain
- Removal of a tooth that is not causing pain
- Tooth whitening and other cosmetic issues
A lot changed for us when COVID-19 brought life as we knew it to a screeching halt. This was especially true when it came to in-person medical care. Most of us had never heard of Zoom prior to the pandemic but soon we were not only using it for the vast majority of our work and personal interactions, it also became the vehicle for medical appointments. Surprisingly, although there were some serious exceptions, Zoom worked well for a lot of issues and this sort of appointment may continue for routine interactions in the future.
Unfortunately, for dental issues, there were a lot of things that simply could not be taken care of virtually. Now that life is trying to find its new normal, all of those missed appointments for examinations, as well as those all-important cleanings, need to be scheduled as soon as possible. It’s important that we address any issues that were put off so that those that are important do not become urgent.
If you have questions about tooth sensitivity or any of our services, whether dentistry or aesthetics, Forest Hills Dentistry is dedicated to delivering the highest quality services possible. We offer the latest and most current information and services to our patients with a new state-of-the-art facility in Forest Hills, Queens. Patient comfort, individualized care and complete satisfaction are our priority.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, you are invited to use our online form by clicking here.
Categories: Dental Health