If you have facial swelling while under lockdown for the COVID-19 outbreak, you may need to make an emergency dentistry visit. Mild pain may not be an urgent issue, but there are many instances when facial swelling is the major sign of a serious condition. You may be able to endure the pain, but certain conditions require urgent attention to prevent them from worsening.
Facial swelling can occur for different reasons. It could be the side effect of medications, poor nutrition (Vitamin C deficiency) and blocked salivary glands. Below are dental emergency cases that may cause swelling.
A hard fall or forceful impact on the mouth can damage the teeth, jaws and soft tissues of the oral cavity. If there is facial swelling and pain due to trauma, patients need to check if any tooth is cracked or broken. It may be hard to see a cracked tooth, so touch each tooth to see if one causes more pain than the rest. Look for bleeding around the teeth or gums. If there is facial swelling with a fractured tooth or excessive bleeding, an emergency dentistry visit is necessary.
A tooth affected by a bacterial infection can suffer an abscess. An abscess is a pocket containing bacteria that forms around the tooth when the infection spreads to its inner layer. An abscess can occur around the tip of the tooth, following a cavity or tooth fracture. Other times, it may occur at the root of the tooth, where it joins with the gums. A tooth abscess can cause a swollen face and cheeks, swollen lymph nodes and persistent, throbbing pain that radiates to the jaw and ear.
If the abscess ruptures, one might notice a foul taste in the mouth from the pus around the tooth, accompanied by pain. An abscess can be life-threatening, so patients must visit the dentist once they discover symptoms.
This is another condition that can cause facial swelling. Bacterial plaque attacks the gums and causes gum disease. If untreated, it may worsen into periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. The infection can affect the gums, as well as the jawbone. Aside from facial swelling, other symptoms that accompany advanced gum disease are bleeding gums, pain and swollen lymph nodes. Delaying treatment can cause tooth loss.
Having a regular dentist has its benefits. The dentist will create time for patients who have a dental emergency during the lockdown. If a patient calls the dentist explaining their symptoms (pain and swelling), the dentist will provide guidelines on what to do for momentary pain relief and schedule an appointment following proper protocols.
A dental emergency can occur at any time. If you notice facial swelling, call your dentist immediately to arrange for an emergency dentistry visit. If an appointment is not immediately possible, the dentist may call in a prescription or recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. That way, the patient will be comfortable until they can finally see the dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://adcroundrock.com or call Round Rock Dental Office at (512) 720-5868 for an appointment in our Round Rock office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
A broken tooth can be more complicated than it looks. Sometimes, the visible portion of a damaged tooth breaks away while a piece of the root remains beneath the gumline. Because you may not be able to see the remaining fragment, it can be tempting to assume the problem is over. Unfortunately, leaving a broken…
Getting a wisdom tooth removed can leave you with plenty of questions during the days that follow. Your jaw feels sore, chewing isn't as easy as usual, and your face may be a little swollen. Then, just when you think you've figured out what to expect, you notice an ache around your ear.It can be…
Finding a tooth that has suddenly turned dark can be a little frightening. You may look in the mirror and wonder what happened, especially if the tooth doesn't hurt at all. It is tempting to think that no pain means there is nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, teeth don't always work that way.A change in…
Going to the dentist can be stressful, especially if you already deal with dental anxiety. For someone with high blood pressure, that stress can bring up another concern: Is sedation dentistry safe?The good news is that sedation dentistry for high blood pressure patients may be an option in many cases. However, the answer depends on…
A broken tooth can be more complicated than it looks. Sometimes, the visible portion of a damaged tooth breaks away while a piece of the root remains beneath the gumline. Because you may not be able to see the remaining fragment, it can be tempting to assume the problem is over. Unfortunately, leaving a broken…
Getting a wisdom tooth removed can leave you with plenty of questions during the days that follow. Your jaw feels sore, chewing isn't as easy as usual, and your face may be a little swollen. Then, just when you think you've figured out what to expect, you notice an ache around your ear.It can be…