Why You May Need to Call an Emergency Dentist
Posted on: 12 April 2022
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Should you schedule to see a dentist during the predetermined days and times they are expected to be in the office or should you call them up right away? If your specific dental issue requires urgent attention, you should see an emergency dentist.
While many dental issues can warrant a trip to the dentist, not all are emergencies. Here are a few common examples of dental problems that constitute a dental emergency.
Abscessed tooth
Are you suffering from severe toothache and have red, swollen gums? That throbbing pain in your mouth could be due to an abscessed tooth. An abscess occurs when a pocket of pus forms inside the centre of a tooth due to a localized bacterial infection and cannot drain.
Different factors such as tooth decay, gum disease, and periodontal disease may cause the infection. Some common treatment options for an abscessed tooth include:
- Cutting in the abscess and draining the pus
- Taking antibiotics
- Extracting the affected tooth
- Carrying out a root canal
Treatment for abscesses may require combining two or more of the above-suggested treatment methods.
Fractured tooth
A broken tooth can leave you in severe pain and with bleeding gums. Plus, you risk losing the tooth if you do not act fast and decisively.
The severity of a tooth fracture can be determined using clinical examination and radiographs (dental X-rays). Treatment options available for fractured teeth can range from dental bridges to crown implants, depending on the extent of damage due to the tooth.
Avulsed tooth
An injury to the mouth can knock out a permanent tooth, leaving you wondering if you can save the tooth. The good news is that knocked-out teeth can be salvaged, but only if you act quickly and correctly.
To increase the chances of successful re-implantation, you need to find and preserve the avulsed tooth in milk or a saline solution. Thereafter, make your way to the dentist as soon as possible. The faster you arrive at the dentist's office, the more likely they can save your tooth.
Unlike dentists who follow a fixed work schedule and require you to book an appointment a few days or weeks prior to your visit, emergency dentists operate round-the-clock so they can see you no matter what time of day or night it is. All you need to do before arriving at their facility is to call ahead to let them know what emergency you are facing. Look into emergency dentistry near you for more information.