Ignoring dental problems can lead to larger health concerns in the future. While preventative care is the first line of defense against major dental problems, emergency dental care treats the issue once it occurs and provides relief. By making patients aware of the contributing factors that led to the emergency condition in the first place, emergency dental treatment may prevent the issue from recurring in the future and lead to better overall health.
Any type of dental trauma can require emergency dental care. Whether it is caused by an infected tooth, diseased gums, or an accident, a dental emergency needs quick intervention to relieve pain. To put it simply, any oral health problem that demands immediate attention qualifies as a dental emergency, so call our office right away if you experience any pain, bleeding, or swelling in your mouth.
Restorative emergencies are often cosmetic and functional in nature, while other dental emergencies typically result in more discomfort or pain. A chipped tooth may be uncomfortable, but depending upon its placement, appearance or functionality may be a bigger concern than pain. It depends on your unique situation and the care required to get your smile back in the best possible condition.
A knocked-out tooth can be preserved and restored with proper medical care. After locating the fragment or whole tooth, the patient should place it in a glass of milk or warm saltwater. This preserves the tooth until your dentist can replace it.
Most dental emergencies are preventable with proper preventive care and regular dental visits. If patients neglect routine oral care and checkups, minor issues can quickly escalate into major problems that require extensive intervention, including crowns, root canals, or extractions. However, unpreventable accidents do happen occasionally and require immediate attention from a trained dental professional to treat.
While many emergency dental treatments are uncomfortable, your dentist will make you as comfortable as possible. This includes sedation options. Depending on your unique case and the treatment involved, more pain may occur during the recovery period. Your dentist can provide pain medication to keep you comfortable during recovery.