Many people are unaware that untreated dental issues can worsen over time and become more serious. It is crucial to know what qualifies as a dental emergency and what does not. Any situation that makes you feel your life is in immediate danger is considered a dental emergency. Dental emergencies often involve symptoms such as bleeding, fractured jaws, missing fillings, and more.
Your teeth can become unhealthy at any time due to various conditions and ailments. While some dental issues are minor, others are more serious and require immediate medical attention to be resolved. It is crucial to understand the exact definition of a dental emergency before seeking emergency care for your dental problems. This article covers the dental issues that are considered a dental emergency.
Common Types of Dental Emergencies
A dental emergency can occur in various situations. In such cases, it may be necessary to seek emergency dental services, which can include tooth extractions, antibiotic therapy, restorations, and more. It's important to note that this list is not exhaustive, as dental emergencies can manifest in different ways. If you are experiencing severe pain, or excessive bleeding, or suspect an infection or chipped tooth, it is advised to contact your dentist's office for emergency dental care.
Unexplainable Toothache
Toothaches are not just uncomfortable annoyances. Therefore, they should not be taken lightly. Dental emergencies serve as indications from your body that there may be an underlying issue in your mouth. It is crucial to seek assistance from a licensed emergency dentist who can diagnose and treat sudden, unexplained tooth pain.
You can try the following techniques to alleviate your toothache until you can visit your dentist:
- Use a cold compress.
- Use saltwater to rinse your mouth.
- To help alleviate the pain, consider taking over-the-counter painkillers.
Inflamed or Swollen Gums
While infrequent gum irritation is not considered a dental emergency, persistent bleeding gums, particularly when accompanied by pain and swelling, could indicate a more serious dental or medical issue. It is important to note that bleeding gums without a clear explanation are not normal. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is advisable to promptly schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Swollen Mouth Or Jaw
If your jaw or mouth suddenly swells for no apparent reason, it is crucial to seek immediate care from an emergency dentist. This swelling could be a sign of an infection, irritation of the lymph nodes, or another condition that requires immediate professional dental care.
Exposed Nerves
If you put off seeing your dentist, the discomfort from exposed nerves will only get worse. To prevent infections, further damage to the nerve, or the need for extensive emergency dental treatment, it is crucial to contact a dentist immediately.
Knocked-Out Teeth
Having a tooth knocked out of your mouth by a strong blow can be quite shocking. However, it's important to act quickly. If your dentist acts promptly, they may be able to preserve and reinsert your tooth. Before visiting your dentist, you should:
- Make sure not to touch the root as you carefully lift the tooth by its crown.
- Instead of scrubbing, simply rinse it.
- If possible, reinstall the tooth back into its socket.
- If you are unable to put it back in, place the tooth in a container of milk or water.
- Visit the dentist as soon as possible to improve your tooth's chances of survival.
Missing Filling
Missing a dental filling significantly increases the risk of a dental emergency. Without the filling, the tooth becomes more vulnerable to fractures and chips. In some cases, it may even expose the nerves inside the tooth, leading to a range of other dental issues that require immediate treatment. It is crucial to make an immediate call to your dental professional to address this situation promptly.
Broken Dental Crown
When a crown fractures or falls out, your tooth gets exposed and is vulnerable to infections and tooth damage. By promptly scheduling an emergency dental appointment to replace the crown, you may be able to prevent the need for an extraction, root canal, or other dental operation.
Abscessed Tooth
An infection caused by a pocket of pus in the tooth is known as an abscess, which is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. A tooth abscess can lead to:
- Sensitive to changes in temperature.
- High temperature.
- Continuous toothache.
- Delicate lymph nodes are located in the throat.
- Facial swelling.
If you have a pimple-like bump on your gums near the infected tooth, it could be a sign of an infection. Due to the potential for the infection to spread to other parts of your body, including your jaw and surrounding tissue, it’s crucial to address this condition urgently.
Food or Item Stuck Between Teeth
It’s important to visit your dentist promptly if you find that food particles or other objects are stuck between your teeth and cannot be removed by brushing or flossing. Failure to have the object professionally removed could potentially lead to tooth shifting, gum disease, tooth decay, infection, or even gum irritation.
Infections
Dental infections are serious conditions that worsen over time if left untreated. While occasional discomfort may be the initial sign of an infection, your symptoms may worsen as time goes on. Eventually, you may experience discomfort while eating. Additional symptoms include fever, facial or jaw swelling, and the formation of abscesses. It's important to note that severe, untreated abscesses can be fatal in certain cases.
Taking Care of Your Dental Needs
Certain hospitals may utilize alternative forms of medicine to treat your condition, while others may prescribe antibiotics based on the specific type of dental emergency you are experiencing. Before seeking treatment at a hospital, it is important to determine if your dental issue is life-threatening. Not all dental issues require emergency care.
The Importance of Acting Right Away in Dental Emergencies
In the event of an oral health emergency, you seek emergency dental care promptly. While the thought of requiring emergency oral surgery or tooth extractions may not be pleasant, receiving professional emergency dental care offers several advantages, including the following:
It Saves Your Teeth
While tooth extraction is sometimes necessary, it may not always be the best option. It's important to consider that extracting a tooth can result in a space between your teeth and potentially lead to complications such as infection or jaw bone loss. Many individuals who experience tooth loss end up spending a significant amount of money on appliances or dental implants to close the gap. If you find yourself in need of urgent dental care, it's worth exploring the possibility of saving your tooth by seeking out an emergency dentist.
It Eliminates Pain
You can rest assured that prompt dental care can effectively treat the underlying cause of your tooth pain, eliminating any discomfort you could be experiencing.
It Prevents Issues From Getting Worse
Untreated dental problems can multiply and worsen over time. Cracks and infections can spread if they are not promptly addressed. By seeking the assistance of an emergency dentist, you can proactively prevent the development of more serious issues related to your oral health.
Maintain Dental Appliances
Dental emergencies can involve various appliances, such as braces or bridges. Ignoring problems with these appliances could potentially lead to harm.
Persistent Tooth Pain And Swelling Can Impair Your Ability To Chew Food And Speak Effectively
Breathing difficulties may arise if an infection spreads to your throat. Making an emergency dentist appointment can help you receive the necessary care to restore normal functions and prevent the worsening of any issues.
The Price Is Another Justification For Visiting A Walk-In Dentist Who Provides Emergency Dental Care
Prompt dental care covers all your dental problems. Emergency dentists in your area offer treatments that prevent infections from spreading, saving you from dealing with additional issues. Not only does emergency dental care save you money by avoiding the need for further treatments, but it can also speed up your recovery process.
Treatment for Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are handled differently depending on the circumstances and the type of damage. In cases of severe toothaches and cracks, your dentist may need to address an infection and repair the chipped or cracked tooth. This could entail the following:
- Dental filling.
- Root canal treatment.
- Tooth extraction.
- Treatment with antibiotics and irrigation.
If your tooth has broken, become loose, or fall out entirely, your dentist would need to perform the following procedures:
- Root canal therapy.
- Antibiotic treatment.
- Dental filling.
- Reimplantation.
- Splinting.
Can I Go To The Emergency Room If I Have A Toothache?
While receiving excellent preventive care can help prevent certain problems, it's important to note that dental emergencies can still occur. When faced with a dental emergency, time is of the essence to prevent the situation from worsening. Fortunately, there are emergency rooms and urgent dental care clinics that operate 24/7 to cater to patients with urgent needs.
Hospital emergency room staff can provide emergency care if you are unable to find an emergency dentist or schedule an immediate dental appointment. Certain dental emergencies can be treated by ER personnel, including the following:
- Infections caused by bacteria.
- Bleeding gums.
- Cracked or chipped teeth.
- Pain.
- Fractured teeth.
The staff at the emergency room can prescribe antibiotics or analgesics to alleviate pain and swelling. However, they do not perform restorative procedures such as crowns or fillings. Therefore, it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as they reopen for business after receiving dental emergency care at the ER.
What Factors Lead To Dental Emergencies?
Various factors can cause a dental emergency. To be considered a dental emergency, you must be experiencing symptoms that significantly interfere with your daily life. If you confirm that you are indeed facing a dental emergency, it is crucial to seek help from a professional as soon as possible. If you have been experiencing unusual dental symptoms, continue reading to learn how to address any issues you may be facing with your dental condition.
Situations involving uncontrolled bleeding, facial bone trauma, or other serious issues should be considered dental emergencies. If you experience any of these symptoms, contacting your local emergency room or dental specialist is crucial. It's important to note that dental issues can be divided into two categories.
Compared to emergency dental care, urgent dental procedures are relatively less time-sensitive. Procedures classified as urgent dental care are indeed urgent, but they may not pose an immediate threat to life. It is important to understand the difference between urgent and emergency dental situations, as the latter typically involve a serious threat to life.
When Is It Appropriate to Visit the ER?
If you are experiencing a true dental emergency, it is crucial to seek care at an emergency room medical facility. This is necessary to prevent the spread of potentially life-threatening infections in the head and neck, maintain clear breathing airways, and stop uncontrollable bleeding. These emergencies go beyond the scope of general dentistry and require the expertise of an oral surgeon or emergency physician. Hospitals typically have oral surgeons on call to provide urgent care for patients with oral and maxillofacial conditions.
To lessen the strain on medical staff and reduce patient traffic in hospitals, it is advised that patients refrain from visiting the emergency room for toothaches or minor swellings at this time. The emergency room should only be utilized in the aforementioned circumstances.
Find a Professional Dentist Near Me
When faced with a dental emergency, it is crucial to note that acting quickly is key to preventing more serious issues in the future. If the condition is serious, you can visit the emergency room of the nearest hospital. For non-life-threatening dental emergencies, it is best to get in touch with your dentist immediately. They can assist you in handling the situation independently or suggest scheduling an appointment.
At Washington Dental, we are committed to utilizing our expertise and experience to enhance your beautiful smile and prevent the development of new dental issues. We offer emergency dental care services to residents of Los Angeles, Carson, Torrance, and Lomita, California, who require prompt treatment for broken or fractured teeth. Call us today at 310-217-1507.
