Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and you may experience a lot of pain, discomfort, and even swelling, which is why you must act fast. It is important that you contact an emergency dentist because, in some cases, a tooth can be restored, but only if you make it to the dental office within a certain timeframe. Dental emergencies require immediate attention, and ignoring the issue can lead to permanent damage and excruciating pain. Additionally, the cost of treatment can significantly increase if you wait, and there is no need to suffer, nor should you have to pay for expensive treatments you can avoid.
The first step is to understand when you need emergency dental care, and the following are all considered dental emergencies:
Toothache
This is a common dental emergency that requires immediate attention. It is a painful condition that can quickly become unbearable. Instead of relying on painkillers, you must contact an emergency dentist immediately because a professional must treat a toothache. There are two types of toothaches including:
Alive Nerve In The Tooth Root
With this type of toothache, your teeth will become sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks due to soreness and inflammation of the nerve in the tooth’s root.
Dead Nerve In The Tooth Root
This type of toothache is more severe, and if left untreated, it can form an abscess at the end of the tooth’s root, leading to serious dental problems.
Tartar and plaque accumulation can also cause tooth decay and gum disease, which are common causes of toothaches. A proper oral hygiene routine, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent toothaches and pain. Toothaches are not something you should take lightly because it is your body’s way of telling you something is not right in your mouth. Sudden and unexplainable tooth pain is a serious problem you must address, and your emergency dentist will help diagnose and treat the issue.
You can apply a cold compress until you get to the dentist to manage your toothache, and you can also rinse your mouth with salt water or use over-the-counter pain medication to help alleviate the discomfort.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If you act right away, a knocked-out tooth can be saved, and a dentist can re-insert it if you get to your dental office on time. You must pick up the knocked-out tooth from the top, and you cannot touch the root area. Rinse it gently and do not scrub or remove any tissue attached to the tooth. Try to place the knocked-out tooth back into the socket if you can but do not force this step if it is not possible. A knocked-out tooth can also be kept safely in a cup of milk until you arrive at the emergency dentist.
Taking these steps will help protect your tooth, and if you can get to an emergency dental office within a two-hour time frame, there is a very high success rate of re-implanting the tooth. The longer you wait, the lower the chances, which is why knocked-out teeth require immediate dental attention. It is possible for your dentist to re-insert and preserve your tooth if you act right away.
Cracked or Fractured Teeth
The impact of biting a hard substance can sometimes crack your teeth, and if you seek emergency dental care right away, there is a very high chance that a broken tooth can be saved. Depending on the severity of the damage, a root canal may be required, although a white filling can fix small cracks.
Abscessed Tooth
This serious and painful infection requires immediate care; otherwise, it can spread to other parts of the body. An abscess can develop in the root of a tooth or between the gum and teeth and can cause painful swelling in the gums. Rinsing your mouth with mild salt can provide you with some relief from the pain until you arrive at your dentist for treatment.
A dental abscess is a potentially life-threatening condition that may cause swelling in the face, constant toothaches, fever, and pimple-like bumps on your gums near the infected tooth. This infection can spread into your jaw, surrounding tissue, and other areas of the body, and you must seek emergency dental care immediately.
Swollen or Bleeding Gums
Occasional gum irritation is not considered a dental emergency, but gums that won’t stop bleeding are serious, especially if it is accompanied by swelling and pain. This can indicate an underlying dental issue, and you must visit your dentist immediately if you experience swollen or bleeding gums.
Swollen Jaw or Mouth
If your mouth or jaw becomes swollen for no obvious reason, you must visit the emergency dentist immediately for immediate treatment. It may indicate an infection or irritation to your lymph nodes or another issue that requires professional dental care right away.
Exposed Nerve
An exposed nerve can be an excruciating experience that worsens if you wait to see your dentist. Seeking immediate dental care will help prevent infections, further nerve damage or more extensive emergency dental treatments.
Missing Filling
This is considered a dental emergency because a tooth can easily break or chip without that reinforcement. A missing filling can also expose the tooth’s nerves, leading to several other dental issues that require immediate treatment. Call your dentist immediately to replace a missing filling and prevent potential dental emergencies.
Broken Crown
When a dental crown breaks or falls off completely, it exposes your tooth to infection and damage. Visiting an emergency dentist will allow you to replace the crown, which may prevent the need for a root canal, extraction or other dental procedure.
Food or Object Lodged Between Teeth
If a piece of food or another object is lodged between your teeth, you must brush or floss to help remove it. If this does not work, you must visit your dentist right away to have the object professionally removed. Allowing the piece of food or object to remain between your teeth can cause your teeth to shift or cause gum irritation, gum disease, tooth decay or even an infection.
Why Seek Emergency Dental Care Right Away?
There are several benefits you will get to enjoy when you seek expert emergency dental care, including:
Improve the Likelihood of Saving Your Teeth
If you find an emergency dentist who can treat your issues fast, there is a high probability of saving your teeth. Depending on the situation and severity of the emergency, tooth extraction may not be necessary if you make it to the dentist on time.
Reduce Pain or Discomfort
Dental pain will cause you to live with discomfort, and you may not be able to go about your day. Seeking emergency dental care right away will eliminate both discomfort and pain.
Prevent Your Condition from Worsening in Severity
When dental issues are left untreated, they will worsen and multiply. Infections and cracks may spread without treatment, but an emergency dentist will treat the problem immediately and prevent dental issues from worsening.
If you experience an oral health emergency, you must seek emergency dental care right away because the issue can interfere with your life, and simple things like chewing food or talking can become very difficult. Serious dental issues like infections can even lead to breathing problems, so you must contact an emergency dentist immediately. They will treat the problem immediately and will prevent the problem from becoming much worse.
Ignoring a dental emergency can lead to swelling, pain, additional treatments, and expensive dental bills. You can end up in a hospital because your oral health is directly linked to your overall health, and issues with your gums or teeth can cause many other problems in different parts of your body. Your oral health must be prioritized, and visiting an emergency dentist is mandatory if you experience any of the following conditions listed above.
Common Dental Emergency Treatments
The treatment you receive will depend on the situation, its severity, and the type of damage you are experiencing. The dentist will assess your mouth, and if you are experiencing a severe toothache or cracks and chips, the dentist will likely have to treat the infection and repair the chip or crack through a root canal treatment, dental filling, extraction or irrigation, and antibiotic treatment.
If you have a broken tooth, loose tooth, or a knocked out tooth, your dentist may perform a dental filling, root canal treatment, splinting, or re-implantation.
Conclusion
Are you looking for an emergency dentist in Burlington? Appleby Dental will provide you with the dental care you deserve! We urge our patients to remain calm when experiencing a dental emergency and contact our office right away to schedule an appointment. We will provide you with relief and will also provide you with professional advice and tips regarding your oral hygiene routine.
Dental emergencies cannot be taken lightly; we are always ready to help. We can provide every member of your family with the dental care they need, and you can contact us at any time to schedule your next appointment!
Call today at 905-331-7654 ►