Unfortunately accidents happen more often than we’d like. Sometimes, these accidents can result in an injury to your tooth or mouth. It’s important to know when you need to consider the outcome of an injury as a dental emergency. Read on to learn more about the scope of emergency dentistry and what to do if you find yourself in a situation that requires it.
Emergency Dentistry Explained
Emergency dentistry can be defined as the area of dentistry that focuses on accidental or unforeseen dental problems that call for immediate care or treatment. Typically, an emergency dentist will have availability for you to walk in and receive care. Their ability to act quickly when treatment is needed is something that many patients are thankful for. Emergency dentists can typically schedule an appointment with patients the same day the emergency occurs, leading to faster care and relief from discomfort.
Dental emergencies can cover issues like sudden severe tooth pain, bleeding gums, knocked-out teeth and everything that can’t wait for a regular dental appointment. Remember, the sooner you get medical attention, the sooner your dental issue can be resolved to prevent further discomfort or damage.
Benefits of Emergency Dentistry
There are many benefits of emergency dentistry. Here are a few:
Saves You Time In An Emergency
As we mentioned before, emergency dentists are able to act swiftly whenever their services are needed. If you’re in need of dental care, contact your dentist to see if they are able to book you in for an emergency appointment.
Ensures Faster Treatment
Dental injuries can come with the risk of infection, and this risk could increase when treatment is delayed. So, in addition to delivering quick relief from pain and discomfort, emergency dentists can also minimize the chances of possible future impacts of the injury.
When Do You Need an Emergency Dentist?
There are many instances when you may need to visit the dentist because of an emergency. These include:
A Broken or Chipped Tooth
When your tooth is broken or chipped, emergency dentistry will be an important part to help determine the extent of the damage. Broken or chipped teeth can be restored using dental crowns and other dental procedures.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Emergency dentists can help to save a knocked-out tooth. If you act quickly, your knocked out tooth has a chance to be successfully restored.
Severe Gum Bleeding
Excessive gum bleeding may warrant visiting an emergency dentist. Gum bleeding can stem from several factors, including gingivitis, injuries, and mouth cuts. If both gums and teeth are affected, the dentist can help to stop the bleeding before taking further steps.
Tooth Pain
While a mild toothache can resolve on its own and need not cause any panic, severe or frequent tooth pain usually signifies an underlying problem, such as infected gums, exposed roots, tooth decay, or an abscess. See your dentist before this becomes an emergency.
A Lost Crown or Filling
A missing filling or crown often indicates underlying issues, such as cavities. A delay in replacing them may result in increased tooth sensitivity and further damage.
Post-Dental Surgery
While most dental surgeries return long-term positive results, you can’t rule out the possibility of post-surgery complications. Seek the help of your dentist if you sense anything out of the normal following your surgery.
