Emergency dental care refers to a range of services provided at a dental office when a patient needs immediate help. Often, such situations can be caused by accidents or by putting off treating a dental issue for too long. In this article, we discuss when to see an emergency dentist.
When to See an Emergency Dentist
In general, dental emergencies can be divided into two categories: those that result from an accident and oral trauma and those that are caused by severe inflammation or infection in the mouth. Both these categories of dental emergencies require immediate dental care. Let us look at some dental emergencies and their symptoms in more detail.
Dental Emergencies Caused by Infection
Acute Toothache
Acute and prolonged toothache is most likely caused by severe tooth decay and infection. If you have this symptom, visit an emergency dentist immediately. In most cases, if the visit is delayed, the infection in the tooth can spread deeper, killing the tooth’s roots and infecting the surrounding teeth, gum, and jawbone tissue. Such infection can lead to tooth loss, gum disease, and abscess.
In some cases, severely decayed teeth can be saved with a root canal treatment; in others, the tooth will need to be extracted. In either case, the sooner you get to the dental office, the better chance you have of avoiding severe consequences.
Bleeding Gums
Most people experience minor gum bleeding from time to time when flossing or brushing too harshly. Such rare instances of gum bleeding are nothing to worry about. However, if you experience more intense or constant gum bleeding that seems to linger, it might be a sign of acute infection of the gums and require immediate treatment. Gum infection—also called gum disease or periodontitis—can lead to an array of negative consequences, such as tooth loss, jawbone infection and density loss, and even heart, lung, and joint issues.
Cysts on the Gums
Cysts are pockets filled with fluid and are typically caused by infection. In some rare cases, cysts can resolve on their own, but in many cases, they require surgery.
Unstable Teeth
Teeth that are unstable in their sockets most likely signify some sort of infection in the mouth: gum disease or tooth decay. Do not wait for your teeth to fall out and leave yourself forced to replace them with implants or dentures. Getting to the dentist as soon as you notice the condition can help preserve your teeth and fight off the infection.
Dental Emergencies Caused by Trauma
Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Teeth
If you can, you should bring the piece of your broken tooth to the dental office. In some cases, it is possible to attach the piece back to the tooth and restore it.
Fallen Out or Dislodged Tooth
If your tooth gets dislodged, it must be secured in its socket as soon as possible to be saved. Getting to the dental office quickly can allow your dentist the opportunity to restore the tooth so that it can heal over time and become stable again.
If you have a tooth completely knocked out, try to get to the dental office within the first 30 minutes after the accident, bringing the tooth with you. If the tooth is placed back in its socket in time, it has a chance of survival. Store your tooth in a clean container with milk or saliva on your way to the dental office. If the tooth is clean, you can also try putting it back into its socket—this way it will be better preserved before you see the dentist.
Strong Impact on the Face
If you experience a strong impact on the face, especially on its lower part, but do not experience any bleeding or broken teeth, it is still best to see the dentist. In some cases, the damage can be internal—done to the blood vessels inside the gums or the roots of your teeth. Such damage might lead to the teeth dying over time.
Broken or Dislocated Jaw
The symptoms of a broken or dislocated jaw can include intense pain and the inability to open or close your mouth. Do not try to fix the issue on your own. Only a medical specialist can address the problem after a careful examination via scans and X-rays. In some cases, a broken or dislocated jaw might require surgery.
Visit Our Office
Emergency dentistry in Pomona provides a wide range of services for patients who require immediate medical attention. If you have had an emergency, do not hesitate to contact our office right now. We look forward to helping you.
