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Home Patient Info Dental Blog What Exactly Is a Dental Emergency?

What Exactly Is a Dental Emergency?


Posted on 10/25/2019 by Elmwood Dental Group
What Exactly Is a Dental Emergency?Dental Emergencies are usually fractures, cracks, and infections of the tooth and gums. This includes any urgent matters when you have pain, sudden sensitivity to sweets or hot or cold drinks. Any situation where there is a possibility of infection of the tooth root or gums.

According to the American Family Physician, about 22 percent of people have experienced dental or oral pain in the last six months, showing just how common dental emergencies can be. Still, this doesn't mean that all oral issues are emergencies. Our office has put together some information to help you determine if you can wait to be seen by us via an appointment or if you need an emergency visit.  

Questions to Ask Yourself During an Oral Crisis

Are you in severe pain? If so, contact us for an emergency visit. Severe pain and bleeding are signs of an emergency. Have you lost a tooth? Call us immediately. With fast treatment, we can usually save your tooth. Do you have loose teeth? Adults should never lose teeth. If your tooth becomes loose call us immediately, even without pain, it's a serious problem.

Do you have an infection? An abscess or serious infection in your mouth can be potentially life threatening, and treatment should not wait. You may notice swelling or knots on your gums or swelling around the face. Call us if we can't get you in immediately we will send you to the local emergency room. 

Two Most Common Oral Emergency's

Had your tooth knocked out? With quick action after the tooth has been knocked out, it's very possible our staff can reinsert and preserve your tooth. If you ever find yourself in this situation, carefully pick up the tooth by the crown or the top. Take care not to touch the root and carefully rinse it without scrubbing. If possible, slide the tooth back into the socket. If it's not possible, put it in a container with milk and get to our office ASAP.

Abscessed Tooth

A dental abscess is a potentially life-threatening condition when a pocket of pus in the tooth has led to an infection. A tooth abscess may cause fever, tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, a persistent toothache, swelling in the face, and a pimple-like bump on your gums near the infected tooth. This is an emergency as the infection can spread into your jaw, surrounding tissue. Seek help immediately. 

The best way to prevent dental emergencies is to stay proactive in your oral hygiene and have routine checkups with our office. During these visits, our dentist will check for loose fillings and crowns, signs of decay, infection, and gum disease. If you have any issues, please call us today for an appointment. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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