What is Emergency Dental Care?

What constitutes a dental emergency? It is a relative matter based on each and every situation. It is though safe to say that a dental emergency usually comes out of an unfortunate accident involving the mouth or even poor oral hygiene resulting in a pain. Even more specifically, a broken, chipped or fractured tooth from an accident or an infection, an abscess or sudden sensitivity can result in an emergent situation.  Let’s look a little closer at what can be considered emergency dental care.

What are Some Common Causes of Emergency Dental Care?

A Cracked, Chipped or Broken Tooth-You don’t have to be a youngster falling on the playground to knock out a tooth. You can be a high school wrestler, a gray-haired hockey player or someone in the service industry. Accidents happen. This is the most common reason for an emergency dental visit. The advice would be to immediately place a call to your dental office. They will either consult you immediately, call you back, or give you directions in a voicemail. It may be such that nothing can be done right at time, but an urgent appointment will be set up. It could result in a root canal, a crown, a dental bridge or a veneer. There will be an appropriate solution. The timing will be dictated by your pain level.

Toothache Pain- this pain can continue to build in intensity and get to the point where it is unbearable. You might have an abscess or an infection. Either case it is something you cannot see. If over the counter pain medication no longer works you can put a cold compress outside the area to reduce the swelling and alleviate some of the pain. If it needs immediate attention you might end up in the emergency room with a dentist on call.

An Abscess- This is when the tip of the root becomes infected. An abscess can be extremely painful and intense and create other health complications. Once again, if your family dentist is not immediately available you might find yourself in the emergency room. The result might be a root canal or even a tooth extraction. An x-ray will help with the diagnosis.

Other Oral Injuries- The mouth consists of more than 28 or 32 teeth. You could have problems with your gums, your tongue, your palette or your cheeks. Of these, gum disease would be the most common and can usually be addressed in the short term with an appointment scheduled for a permanent solution.

Avoiding Emergency Dental Care

Any and all ages can purchase a dental mouth guard. Sports or any type of physical activity can result in dental accidents. Try to avoid them if possible, don’t take risks. You can also follow good oral hygiene habits. Brush twice a day and see your dentist twice a year for regular dental exams. By doing this you can be proactive and stay ahead of an emergent situation because of the lack of good care. It is easier and requires less pain to be proactive versus finding yourself in an emergent reactive position.

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