What To Do When Your Gum Disease Escalates

Gum disease is a difficult condition to have, especially if you let it go untreated. While most people know that they should get to the dentist early on when they have a dental problem, the gums often go neglected. If you suspect that you have gum disease, this is when you should drop everything and get emergency care.

Common Symptoms

Gum disease has multiple stages, so there are a lot of symptoms that are common to the problem. Bleeding gums, minor pain, inflammation, redness, and swelling are all common symptoms of mild to more severe gum disease. If you're having these symptoms, it certainly indicates that there's a problem, and it more than likely means that you have gum disease.

While someone with gum disease should go to the dentist no matter what, if it progresses past this point, that's when it's time to see an emergency dentist.

When To Go To An Emergency Dentist

There are two scenarios where you should take yourself to an emergency dentist instead of waiting to see a standard dentist.

The first is if the swelling spreads. In some people, gum infections can spread to nearby tissues, including the throat and tongue. If you're noticing additional swelling or if there's any difficulty breathing involved, get help immediately from an emergency dentist.

In addition, extreme pain is also time to get help from an emergency dentist. Pain should never be ignored, and if it gets to the point where even pain relievers aren't providing substantial relief, then you should get help now rather than later.

What To Expect

Your emergency dentist will get to work right away to relieve your discomfort and to treat your gum disease.

Depending on the severity of the disease, this may ultimately require multiple visits. However, your emergency dentist will take steps to help start beating the illness right away.

For starters, you can expect a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums. This will remove built-up tartar from under the gum line and eliminates any pockets of bacteria. From there, your dentist may lance your gums to allow infectious masses out. Lastly, you'll be given a prescription of strong antibiotics to help your body to beat the infection from the inside.

If you suspect that you have a dental problem, never hesitate to get help. But if that problem is allowed to stay around and becomes very painful or you have difficulty breathing, drop what you're doing and get help now. Your health may depend upon it.

Contact a dental emergency center today for more information.

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