Even if you are diligent about your oral hygiene, you may experience a dental emergency at some point. Unfortunately, dental emergencies often happen at inopportune times, so Dr. Joel R. Koch and his dental team leave time slots open in their daily schedule to accommodate unexpected visitors to our dental office. Whether you are a current patient or not, we want you to call us if you are experiencing dental pain or some other dental emergency. You may be wondering what constitutes a dental emergency in the first place; is it tooth pain? Is it an abscess? Let’s take a look.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
If you are having an issue with your oral health, we consider that to be a dental emergency! We want you to call our dental office if you have any of the following dental conditions:
- Severe tooth pain
- Tooth infection
- A broken tooth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Swollen gums
- Loose or missing fillings or crowns
- Broken dentures
What About an Abscess?
If you’re wondering whether a tooth abscess is a dental emergency, the answer is yes! If left untreated, a tooth abscess can be extremely dangerous to both your oral health and your overall health. A tooth abscess is a type of bacterial infection, and it is typically located between your gums and your tooth or around the root of your tooth.
A tooth abscess is most often caused by the following dental issues:
- Tooth decay or an untreated cavity
- Tooth damage or worn enamel
- Untreated gum disease
What Are the Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess?
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have a tooth abscess, and you need to call us immediately to keep the infection from spreading any further:
- Severe tooth pain that may be sharp or throbbing
- Red and swollen gums or a swollen jaw
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Fever
- Bad breath
- An open sore in your gums that may be draining
Do You Need Emergency Dental in West Chester, OH?
If you or a loved one needs emergency dental services in West Chester, the dental office of Dr. Joel R. Koch, DDS, is ready to take your call! We want to help with all your dental needs so that you can achieve optimal oral health. Please get in touch with us at (513) 779-2200 to schedule an appointment.