When to Go See an Emergency Dentist?

Truth be told, there are many dental concerns, and it can be difficult to decide which ones are urgent enough to prompt an emergency dentist appointment. At some point, you may experience toothache, teeth sensitivity, or an infection, and you may not know if you should book a regular appointment or see an emergency dentist right away. To help you with this, we have compiled a list of problems that constitute emergencies and require immediate action from your emergency dentist.


  • Broken Tooth

One of the reasons why emergency dentistry may be needed is when your tooth breaks. A broken tooth can be caused by a hidden chip. Also, tooth that suffers nerve damage can cause severe pain and discomfort if not attended too immediately. You should, therefore, book an emergency dentist visit immediately.


  • Knocked-Out Tooth

 A knocked-out tooth requires urgent attention from the dentist to see if it can be re-implanted.   As you wait to get to the dentist, rinse the tooth and keep it moist by placing it back to its original location or the socket. You can also place it in milk or between the cheek and gum as you moisten it with saliva.


If the tooth has been knocked out of position, try aligning it to its position as you seek emergency dental care. In this case, your dentist can splint the knocked-out tooth to promote healing.


  • Cracked, Chipped or Fractured Tooth

Chipped teeth can be caused by hard food like nuts. If it doesn’t hurt, you don’t need emergency dental care as the dentists can fix it with a veneer, bond, or crown after a few days.


On the other hand, cracked and fractured tooth may constitute an emergency visit to the dentist. This is because the tooth is likely to be damaged both on the inside and outside. Even worse is when you have a severely fractured tooth, as the chances of saving it are very little.


Once the examination has been done, the dentist can recommend a crown if the tooth pulp is not damaged. If it’s damaged, your tooth may require a root canal.

While you are waiting for the emergency appointment, rinse your mouth with warm water and place a cold compress to reduce swelling. To help alleviate the pain, take a painkiller like acetaminophen and the like.

 

  • Excruciating Toothache

More often than not, a normal toothache is not deemed as an emergency. However, if you are suffering from an unbearable toothache, it should prompt you to book an emergency appointment with your dentist. Such tooth pain can be caused by an infection or decay. If it is a result of decay, the dentist can get rid of the decayed area and replace it with a filling. This can be done with just one appointment.


However, if it as a result of infection, the dentist can try to ease the pain during the first appointment. You will, then, need to book another appointment with the emergency dentistry, so they can treat the root canal.

 

  • Something Lodged In

If something like a piece of food is stuck in the crevice, this may call for an emergency visit to the dentist. This is especially true if there is pain and inflammation involved.


  • Severe Mouth Infection

Basically, any severe infection in the mouth is considered life-threatening and requires immediate treatment. This is also true if you have an abscess in the mouth. To drain the abscess, the dentist can undertake the first stage of treating the root canal. If they are unable, then they can refer you to a root canal specialist.


Conclusion

Dental emergencies can be painful and at times frightening. If you experience any of these dental issues, be sure to call your dentist and book an appointment as soon as you can.


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