Emergency Periodontal Care in Alpharetta

There are many different types of dental emergencies, and it’s common for patients to not be aware of which types of dental problems require emergency periodontal care and need immediate attention. Since the term “periodontal” refers to the gums and supportive tissues that surround your teeth, most periodontal emergencies involve your gums and other surrounding structures more than your teeth. However, since the health of your teeth and gums are closely related, it can be difficult to determine whether you need emergency help from a dentist or periodontist.

How can you tell when an emergency situation needs periodontal care? Can you see a dentist instead of a periodontist? Are there types of periodontal emergencies that require immediate care, or can you wait to see a dental professional? Let’s explore the answers to these common questions and find out how a periodontist can help you when you’re suffering from a dental emergency.

What Is a Periodontal Emergency?

If you have a dental problem that affects the gums or other tissues that surround and support your teeth, this is considered a periodontal emergency. Swelling, unexplained bleeding, intense mouth pain, and loose teeth are emergency dental situations requiring the care of a periodontist. A periodontist is a specialist who focuses on the treatment of conditions affecting the gum tissue, ligaments, and bones that support the teeth. They can also help treat infections, injuries, and can replace teeth if needed.

These types of dental issues cause you to experience different pain levels. How much pain you’re feeling will help you determine whether you require immediate emergency periodontal care or if you can schedule an appointment with your periodontist in Alpharetta. Let’s take a closer look at some common periodontal emergencies:

Bleeding Gums

Many people experience bleeding gums, especially if you’re in the early stages of gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. However, it’s important to understand that you should never develop bleeding gums if your gums are healthy. If your gums only bleed slightly when you’re brushing or flossing, this does not require emergency attention, although you should make an appointment with your dentist for a checkup. Bleeding gums are an early warning sign of gum disease, which worsens and can lead to tooth loss if not treated.

However, if the bleeding occurs after dental surgery, due to an injury you’ve sustained, or is ongoing and happens when you’re not brushing or flossing, call your periodontist in Alpharetta for an appointment to stop the bleeding.

Swollen Gums

If you have swollen gums, it could indicate that you have a mouth infection. If the swelling is severe, you should receive dental care right away. For mild swelling, you can schedule an appointment with your periodontist in Alpharetta. What causes swollen gums? There are numerous possibilities as to why you’re experiencing swollen gums, and they can range from mild to severe. These include:

Gingivitis: A common cause of swollen gums, gingivitis causes swollen, irritated gum tissue. Although gingivitis is only a mild form of gum disease, it requires treatment from a dentist to prevent the progression to periodontitis.

Infection: An abscess is a type of severe infection caused by bacteria, which can enter through a dental cavity or small chip or crack in a tooth, affecting deep into the root of the tooth. If you develop a throbbing toothache, gum swelling, fever, or swollen glands, seek emergency periodontal care right away. Treatments range from taking prescribed antibiotics and draining the abscess to clear the infection.

Object stuck in the gums: If a piece of food gets stuck under your gums, this can cause gum swelling. This is not an emergency situation and usually resolves on its own, although you should be evaluated by a dentist or periodontist if the swelling continues or worsens.

Severe Mouth Pain

Although it’s typical to feel some degree of pain if you have a dental problem, intense, throbbing pain that isn’t alleviated after taking over-the-counter pain relievers requires treatment as soon as possible. Severe mouth pain can have many possible causes, including infection and tooth decay. To receive a diagnosis and effective treatment plan, call your periodontist’s office to make an appointment.

Loose Teeth

Loose teeth can occur for a variety of reasons, including periodontal disease (gum disease), infection, facial trauma, and injuries. Loose teeth from gum disease do not happen suddenly; periodontal disease is a progressive disease that advances over time if you allow the disease to progress without treatment.

It’s possible to not notice the loosening of teeth until they start to shift out of position. This occurs once the infection has spread to the bones and supportive tissues, which destroys them and causes your teeth to loosen. If you noticed that your teeth are becoming loose, you’ll need an evaluation from your periodontist in Alpharetta. If the affected tooth cannot be fully repaired or restored, your periodontist may need to extract the tooth in an effort to preserve the health of the gums and supporting tissues.

How Can I Tell If I Need To Go to the Emergency Room?

Although many periodontal emergencies can be treated during your dentist’s normal business hours, there are several situations that require immediate treatment. In these types of emergency dental situations, you should call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room:

• Uncontrollable bleeding

• Traumatic injuries to your head, face, teeth, or jaw

• Severe facial swelling or gum swelling

If you have an injury that affects your teeth and jaws, you may still need to see your dentist or periodontist after you visit the emergency room. Physicians in the emergency room can help you manage swelling and control excessive bleeding, but only your dentist or periodontist can help you with dental problems like tooth repair and replacement.

Now that you understand how to identify a periodontal emergency, you know that you should receive treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your oral health. Contact our office right away to receive emergency periodontal care in Alpharetta.