Most people don't think about their teeth until they need a dentist. When you're in pain and experiencing the threat of tooth loss, it's hard to know what to do.
Dental emergencies are dental problems relating to trauma or infection that require the immediate attention of a dentist (and in some cases a medical doctor). If a dental emergency arises, it's important to know what type of dental problem you're dealing with. This article will help you decide whether or not to call your dentist for dental care advice and set up an appointment if needed.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency can be anything from a tooth fracture or toothache to an infection in the jawbone area. A dental emergency is something that needs immediate attention because it could cause serious health problems if not treated right away.
Dental emergencies can be painful and require quick treatment before they worsen. For example, toothaches are considered to be a type of dental emergency because they indicate an underlying problem like decay or gum disease which needs prompt treatment.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your dentist immediately:
- Severe pain in the mouth with swelling around the site
- A fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Bleeding from gums or sore throat
- Tooth loss
If these symptoms persist for more than two days, then it may be time to call your doctor as well.
A few examples of a dental emergency:
Broken teeth
If you bite down on something hard or fall and hit your mouth, a broken tooth might occur as a result of an accident.
Chipped tooth
Occurs whenever parts of the enamel of the tooth have been chipped off.
Knocked-out teeth
Sports injuries, falls, or accidents usually lead to the loss of a tooth, which is also referred to as an avulsed tooth.
Cracked teeth
A cracked tooth happens when there is too much pressure put on the front part and it cracks in half
Dental abscesses
When bacteria infect a cavity that exists already in the mouth, it begins to grow around it. The tooth becomes infected and must be removed to reduce the risk of the infection spreading.
Severe gum disease (Periodontal Disease)
When gums become inflamed, plaque deposits beneath them cause them to become inflamed
Emergency Dental Extraction
As seen above, some of the most common types of dental emergencies involve physical trauma to the mouth — resulting in broken, chipped, cracked, or partially or fully dislodged teeth. By acting quickly (within one hour) and properly preserving the tooth or tooth pieces, the tooth can sometimes be saved.
In the case that you cannot reach your dentist, try placing the tooth back in its original position and holding it there with dental wax (available at most pharmacies) until you can get professional dental care assistance. Do not scrub the tooth with dental floss or toothpaste to try and clean it. Otherwise, place the tooth in a small container of milk or lightly salted water and seek dental care immediately.
Emergency dental care from Sleep Dentistry Erie
There are many different types of dental emergency care; some are more common than others. If you ever experience any type of tooth pain or injury, it’s important that you seek professional care immediately so the problem doesn't get worse over time. The sooner we treat an issue with your teeth, the better chance we have at saving them and restoring function back into your mouth. Don’t wait until it's too late! Our team will work hard to make sure everything goes smoothly from start to finish.