Emergency Dentistry

5 Times to Seek Out Emergency Dentistry

From sports accidents to hard candy to sudden, unbearable tooth pain – dental emergencies arise when you least expect them. They also tend to happen at the least convenient time, whether it’s over a weekend or in the middle of the night when most dentistry practices are closed.

But these sorts of issues can’t always wait till morning or the next day. That’s where emergency dentistry comes into play. Located in Chesterfield, Virginia, the emergency dentists at Midlothian Family Dentistry are here to help when you don’t know where else to turn.

When to Call an Emergency Dentistry Practice

It’s not always obvious if a tooth issue requires emergency dental care. Additionally, some patients may try to wait it out to avoid an emergency-sized bill. While understandable, no one should try to “power through” extreme pain or risk losing their tooth when emergency dentistry and payment plans are available.

If you’re wondering if you should seek emergency dental treatment, try asking yourself these questions:

Are you experiencing severe tooth pain that won’t go away, or isn’t responding to over-the-counter pain medications?
Have you recently experienced trauma to the mouth or jaw?
Did you lose a tooth or part of a tooth?
Do you have or suspect you may have an infection?
Are you bleeding from the mouth?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to seek out emergency dental care in your area.

Common Tooth Emergencies

Here are five of the most common reasons to seek out emergency dentistry:

Knocked-out or broken tooth. Accidents happen. Emergency visits often include patients who have a broken or knocked-out tooth. No matter how it happens, teeth that are knocked out of the mouth should be carefully picked up (if found), cleaned off gently, and placed into a container with clean water. The chances of saving the tooth are much higher if the patient is seen immediately. For broken or chipped teeth that cause significant pain, it’s also best to see an emergency dentist right away to avoid further damage and prevent unnecessary pain.
Sudden and sharp tooth pain. A minor toothache that goes away on its own is much different from an unexplainable and unbearable toothache that persists. This is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong and that you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Listen to the signs and give your emergency dentist a call.
Severe gum bleeding. Occasional gum irritation is something worth discussing with your dentist during your next check-up. However, severe gum bleeding that doesn’t stop, along with pain and swelling of the gums, is a reason to visit an emergency dentist. It could be a sign of periodontitis, an infection of the gums and jawbone.
Missing or broken dental prosthetics. While eating sharp or hard food, sometimes a filling, crown, or veneer may chip or fall entirely off. This can also occur if the prosthetic is older or already damaged. If this happens, it’s important to immediately reach out for emergency dental care. Patients may experience significant pain, extreme sensitivity, and other issues without immediate care.
Infected tooth. An infected tooth, or a dental abscess, can be a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. This is when a pocket of pus in the tooth has turned into a severe infection. While a tooth infection isn’t always obvious, some common symptoms to keep an eye out for include a fever, increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, persistent toothache, swelling around the jaw and face, and a bump around the affected tooth. If left untreated, the infection can spread into your jaw or surrounding tissue, worsening the problem.

What to do During a Dental Emergency

When you need urgent dental care, time is of the essence. Reach out to your local emergency dentist. You can find out if they have emergency services by visiting their website or giving them a call.

At Midlothian Family Dentistry, we offer 24/7 emergency dentistry services. Our compassionate approach extends to urgent situations, providing you same-day care when you need it most. We’re committed to providing outstanding and comprehensive dental care no matter the situation, time of day, or severity of the problem you’re experiencing.

Our team of dentists is equipped to handle your dental emergency in a timely and professional manner. Whether you’re an existing patient or a new patient reaching out to us for the first time, you can contact us for a dental emergency at (804) 897-7900 any time of day.

Learn More about our Emergency Services!