What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies could arise very suddenly, while other times, they could have progressed over time. Either way, you may be left in severe pain and discomfort. Therefore, they require prompt attention and emergency dental care to ensure your oral health is not compromised. Dental emergencies can vary in severity and may include a broken tooth, severe toothache or swelling of the gums. Whatever the cause of your dental emergency, it is essential to know what to do and where to go for help.
In this article, you will learn what to do in case of a dental emergency and the importance of emergency dental care.
Toothaches are a common dental problem that can be caused by a variety of factors, such as tooth decay, gum disease or a dental abscess. Although they might be excruciatingly painful and disruptive to daily life, toothaches are not always regarded as dental emergencies.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice a toothache to identify the source of the discomfort and receive proper treatment. However, if the pain is severe or is accompanied by fever, swelling or both, it may — at that point — qualify as a dental emergency and necessitate immediate attention.
It’s essential to understand when you need emergency dental care. As mentioned before, dental emergencies might include things like a severe toothache, broken or missing teeth or other trauma sustained by your gum or mouth. Whenever you experience these things, never fail to consult your dentist immediately.
In addition to toothaches and other oral issues, a dentist can assist with care for:
Sports injuries and bike accidents can result in dental emergencies, as can automobile accidents, work-related accidents, falling accidents or simply neglect.
Additional causes include eating something really hard that fractures or cracks a tooth, chipping a tooth while drinking from glass bottles, poor oral hygiene and untreated tooth decay.
An infection can also bring about a tooth abscess, which — if neglected — may require immediate medical attention.
It’s important to get emergency care if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. Additionally, you can call your dentist’s office and speak with a staff member about your symptoms if you’re unclear whether your dental issue needs emergency attention.
They can assist you in deciding whether you can wait until regular business hours or if you need to come in for emergency care. For dental emergencies, some dental clinics provide walk in dentist care or same-day appointments. If these services are provided, make sure to inquire about them.
The first thing you should do if you have a dental emergency is to call your dentist’s office. If it is after business hours or on the weekend, their voicemail should provide instructions on what to do in case of an emergency. If you’re unable to reach your dentist or their office is closed, you may need to look for emergency dental care elsewhere. Many cities feature hospitals with dental departments or urgent care centers that can offer immediate treatment.
If you have a dental abscess, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the affected area to relieve pain and swelling. Avoid applying heat to the area because doing so will spread the infection.
You have to see your dentist right away if one or more of your teeth have been dislodged. The following steps can also be taken to save and maintain teeth:
We cannot stress this enough: always contact your dentist immediately if you notice any manifestation of a perceived dental problem. An untreated tooth infection, toothache, discomfort from a dental crown and chipped or broken teeth can cause more harm than you might expect.
If you’re in the Columbia, MD, area and you have a dental emergency and need a same day dentist, don’t hesitate to contact Woodside Dental. We work hard to have your visit be as stress-free as possible and help you understand more about your oral health. We offer a wide range of dental solutions, including family, cosmetic, restorative, periodontal, pediatric and sleep apnea services designed to promote oral and systemic wellness. If you have any questions at all, send us a message today!
