Having problems with your teeth can be a normal part of life from time to time, but there are times when certain problems are considered dental emergencies. If you have a problem with a tooth and are wondering if this is a dental emergency, here are several factors to consider that will help you decide if you should seek help immediately from an emergency dentist.

Did Something Fall Out?

The first factor that can help you determine if you have a dental emergency is looking at what happened. Did something fall out of your mouth? For example, did a tooth fall out? Or did a filling fall out? If something fell out of your mouth that belongs inside your mouth, it may indicate that you should seek immediate help. This is especially true if you lost a permanent tooth.

Does It Hurt Really Bad?

A second good way to determine if you have a dental emergency is to rate how bad the pain is that you are experiencing. When something in your mouth hurts really bad, and if the pain will not go away, there could be a problem. An infection in a tooth or in its roots will cause extreme pain in the form of a toothache. This type of pain generally will not go away until the root problem is fixed, and infections are one of the most common reasons people seek help from emergency dentists.

Are There Any Major Risks with the Problem?

Finally, you should carefully think about the risks involved with the problem you are having. For example, if a filling or crown fell out of your mouth, what risks are involved? The primary risk is that bacteria will get inside the tooth and into the roots of the tooth. If this happens, it can lead to an infection in your mouth, and you may need to undergo a root canal if this happens.

If a tooth fell out, for example, the risk is that you could lose this tooth for good. On the other hand, if you get to a dentist quickly, he or she might be able to put the tooth back into its socket and save this tooth.

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you most likely have a dental emergency on your hands. To get the problem addressed quickly, you should contact an emergency dental clinic in your area today.