When choosing an Emergency dentist, consider their availability, experience, and customer reviews. This will ensure that you receive the best care possible when you need it most.
Toothaches
Toothaches are a common dental emergency, and they can be caused by a variety of problems. Tooth decay, for example, can cause extreme tooth pain if it isn’t treated right away. It can also lead to an infected tooth, which requires treatment by an emergency dentist. Tooth sensitivity may be a sign of a cracked tooth or gum disease, and can also be caused by teeth grinding (bruxism).
If you experience throbbing pain that won’t go away, you need to visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Other signs of a dental emergency include persistent bleeding in the mouth, fever and chills, or a pus-filled abscess. In addition to taking X-rays and doing a hands-on exam, an emergency dentist can prescribe stronger pain medication or antibiotics for severe toothaches. They can also perform root canals, dental fillings and crowns to treat the underlying problem. They can even provide nightguards to protect your teeth from bruxism and prevent future tooth damage.
Broken Teeth
Although a broken tooth might not seem like an emergency, it is important to visit the dentist as soon as possible to protect the tooth and prevent further complications. Depending on the extent of the break, an emergency dentist will treat it by gluing the fragment back on or restoring the tooth with a porcelain crown.
Minor fractures involve superficial damage to the enamel and typically cause minimal pain. A patient can soothe the area by gently rinsing with warm water and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. The dentist may recommend covering the sharp edges of the remaining tooth with dental wax and avoiding hard foods.
Major fractures, on the other hand, extend deep into the tooth and expose the root to infection and other problems. A patient will need a root canal to save the tooth and a dental crown to restore it. The emergency dentist will clean the affected tooth and apply an etching liquid or gel to make the surface of the teeth rough, which will help the bonding resin adhere.
Damaged Braces or Wires
While orthodontic emergencies are rare, they can occur. Broken wires can dig into the sensitive tissues in the mouth, causing pain and discomfort. If this is not treated promptly, an infection may develop. A dental abscess can be very painful and is characterized by pus, swollen glands, and a bad taste in the mouth. It will need to be drained and treated by an emergency dentist.
Loose Bands or Brackets
Generally, a loose bracket is not considered a dental emergency unless it causes significant discomfort or irritation. However, it is important to call the orthodontist’s office right away so that the bracket can be repositioned. While you wait for an appointment, you can try using a pencil eraser or cotton swab to push a loose bracket back against the tooth and away from the gums or cheeks. You can also put orthodontic wax on the ends of a loose wire to prevent it from irritating the inside of your mouth.
Abscesses
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms on the tip of a tooth’s root or in gum tissues, resulting from bacterial infection. If not treated, the infection could spread and affect other body parts including the brain, leading to a life-threatening condition called septicemia.
An emergency dentist will drain the abscess and perform a root canal treatment to save the infected tooth. The patient will also receive antibiotics to prevent infection from recurring. Depending on the severity of the abscess, the patient may require a sedative or general anesthetic to be able to lie still during the procedure.
Visiting a dentist on a regular basis will help you avoid dental emergencies. But sometimes unforeseen circumstances like car accidents, work-related injuries or even rough play at home may cause you to experience dental emergencies. This is why it’s important to know how to identify and treat a dental emergency so that you can be healthy and safe.