In the case of a dental emergency, it's important to remain calm. Understanding the type of dental emergency and how to navigate it can help you or whoever may be experiencing the dental emergency receive faster pain relief and proper care. In this blog, we'll discuss what counts as a dental emergency and how to effectively handle a dental emergency like a pro.
However, if you're in severe pain that is not helped with over-the-counter pain medications or are experiencing a fever, bleeding or swelling that cannot be controlled, it's essential to seek medical care right away. While some dental emergencies can wait several hours to receive treatment, others can be life-threatening and require immediate care.
Dental emergencies are not one-size-fits-all. A tooth can fall out due to an injury while playing sports. A crown or filling may fall out after wear and tear. An infection may spread due to improper care after a dental surgery. That said, specific emergencies may need to be treated the same-day as they occur, while others can wait a day or two before treatment.
Here are some common dental emergencies we treat:
While all of the above examples require treatment, not all dental emergencies require access to a 24-hour dentist. If you're experiencing any of the below life-threatening dental emergencies, it's vital to seek out urgent dental care right away:
Toothaches
For toothaches, assessing what may be causing the pain is important. Sometimes, it's simply a piece of food wedged between your teeth and causing pain. Other times, toothaches can indicate a bigger issue, such as an infection or dental decay.
To deal with toothaches and tooth pain prior to seeing your dentist, try:
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Mouth trauma can result in lost, chipped or broken teeth. This can cause significant pain and/or bleeding, so it's important to address the issue properly before you can get to your 24-hour dentist.
When addressing a chipped or broken tooth, try the following steps:
Knocked Out Tooth
If you've experienced trauma to the mouth and a tooth has dislodged itself, there are a few important steps to take:
Broken or Lost Dental Work
If a dental crown falls off, a filling comes loose, or a braces wire pops out, it can result in sudden and extreme tooth pain or sensitivity.
In the case of damaged or lost dental work, make sure to:
Mouth Sores, Ulcers and Gum Pain
Some mouth sores, such as canker sores caused by poor oral hygiene or too much acidity, are not considered dental emergencies and typically resolve themselves in a matter of days or a week. However, a mouth sore or ulcer that does not clear up in a few weeks could be more severe and should be seen by a dentist. Similarly, gum pain that results in consistent swelling or bleeding should not be ignored.
If you're experiencing swelling or painful sores, consider:
Fevers, Swelling & Broken Bones
If you or someone you know is experiencing tooth or gum pain along with a fever, it's critical to seek emergency care right away. The same goes for dislocated or broken jaws. There are some emergencies that cannot wait, and time is of the essence to treat and care for the patient effectively. Our emergency hotline is open 24 hours. Do not hesitate to contact us or your local emergency dentist with extreme symptoms or trauma.
We're here for you during your scheduled check-up, as well as sudden dental emergencies. We provide emergency dental care 24/7 and can help walk you through the necessary steps to take before, during and after your visit. No matter what happens, we'll ensure you're properly cared for in a calming, judge-free environment with the help of certified dental professionals.
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