Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and when they do, you need prompt treatment. A dental emergency is any situation in which your oral health is in jeopardy. Common dental emergencies include:

What is emergency dentistry?

Emergency dentistry is the term used to describe immediate treatment for a painful tooth, knocked-out tooth, or other oral health problem that requires immediate attention. If you are experiencing severe oral pain, you have likely fallen victim to some type of dental emergency, and you should seek treatment immediately at an emergency dentist’s office. In many cases, visiting an emergency dentist can help to save your tooth from needing to be extracted; they will be able to treat a problem before it worsens and prevents the need for an extraction. An emergency dentist can also provide medications that reduce pain and swelling so that you can feel more comfortable while you wait for your appointment time.

If a tooth has been knocked out, you should call your emergency dentist right away. The sooner you visit the office, the more likely it is that the dentist will be able to replace and restore the tooth. Your dentist may be able to place the tooth back into its socket or may perform a procedure known as “reattachment” where the tooth’s root is placed back into the bone to ensure the best chances of successful restoration. Read on for more examples of dental emergencies that require emergency care.

- A broken tooth that cannot be repaired with dental bonding or dental crowns.

- Severe toothache that is making you feel uncomfortable and unable to focus throughout the day.

- Broken braces wires or brackets that are causing pain or discomfort.

- A fractured jawbone that has become dislocated from the socket.

- An abscessed tooth that has reddened gum tissue and a lot of sensitivity when chewing food.

- Tooth trauma that has resulted in a knocked-out tooth.

- Swelling of the soft tissues of the mouth caused by a blow to the face.

- Bleeding gums caused by flossing too aggressively or if you’ve recently had a tooth extraction.

- Jaw pain due to nighttime teeth

What causes dental emergencies?

Dental emergencies can be the result of an accident, sports injury, or sudden oral trauma. These situations can often cause severe damage to your teeth and/or the surrounding tissues. It’s important to visit the emergency dentist as soon as possible if you have suffered an oral injury or have a toothache that won’t go away.

Many patients come into our practice with pain and swelling from an injury that occurred over the weekend or after regular office hours. If you are experiencing this type of problem, call our office immediately to set up an emergency consultation and examination. You can count on us to see you as quickly as possible and provide the emergency care you need!

Broken teeth are often caused by biting down on hard foods or using your teeth to open packaging like plastic water bottles. While your tooth might feel fine at first, it’s important to see us right away since it’s common for broken teeth to become worse without treatment. A dental crown can be applied to restore the appearance and function of your tooth. If the tooth is fractured below the gum line, a root canal may be necessary to prevent infection and preserve the tooth.

What are the consequences of delaying treatment?

If you have a tooth that is painful or causing you discomfort, contact your dentist as soon as possible. The earlier you see a dentist, the more likely you will be able to avoid complications from untreated tooth decay.

For example, if decay is present, the dentist can recommend fillings, a crown or other treatments to correct it. However, if you delay treatment, you may need more extensive work in the future, such as a root canal or oral surgery. These procedures can be more expensive than simpler fillings and crowns.

Another potential consequence of putting off dental treatment is infection around the the root of the tooth. This complication can lead to tooth loss if not addressed quickly. Infection may also spread to other parts of the body, which can be dangerous to your health.

Finally, the longer you wait to seek treatment, the more stress you are likely to place on your teeth. This can lead to more pain as well as problems chewing your food. In some cases, a tooth may crack or fracture and cause further issues.

If you experience any symptoms that may indicate a problem with your oral health, make an appointment to see your dentist right away. By seeing a dentist at the first sign of a problem, you can prevent further damage to your smile.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.