Not all dental dilemmas are created equal. From a chipped and jagged tooth to serious jaw pain that just won’t quit, certain oral health problems require immediate attention. Thankfully, many dental offices offer emergency exams for times when patients can’t wait for the next available appointment. Here’s what you need to know about situations that can cause a dental emergency, if you should go in for an emergency exam.

There are plenty of everyday activities that can unexpectedly cause a dental emergency. Sports-related injuries are a common example. If that hard-hit ground ball takes a nasty bounce, it could end up knocking out a tooth. A chewy piece of taffy might loosen or pull out a filling or crown, while accidentally biting into a shell at dinner could chip a tooth. In some cases, tooth or jaw pain can come seemingly without warning.

All these incidents require an emergency exam, but there are other signs that you should seek immediate dental care, too.

• Swelling in the mouth or face
• A lose or broken tooth
• An abscessed tooth

Any sort of discomfort should be a sign that you need to seek out an emergency exam. The good news is that it’s often simple to schedule an exam right away. TenderCare Dental in Tigard makes scheduling an appointment easy with their online portal. While every office has different procedures for emergency dental appointments, TenderCare Dental in Tigard offers free emergency exams that come standard with the following:

• X-rays of the area
• A personal consultation
• A dental treatment plan personalized specifically for your problem

The sooner you see your dentist, the quicker you can get back to better oral health. If you’re still not sure about whether your oral health problem requires immediate attention, contact TenderCare Dental in Tigard to discuss the issues you’re experiencing. Our skilled team of dental professionals are able to deliver the latest and best information about your specific needs, as well as determine what procedures to schedule right away.