Your mouth plays a significant role in your everyday activities, such as talking, eating, and smiling; however, when you have oral issues, many people have difficulty determining whether they require immediate care or can wait until their next dental appointment. Unfortunately, some oral health concerns can worsen quickly, and waiting to seek treatment may allow a small problem to turn into a large, costly one that not only affects your teeth but also your body.
Therefore, it is essential to know which situations need urgent care. If you experience a sudden toothache or trauma, an emergency dentist will provide immediate care to protect your smile and prevent further damage.
Need Immediate Dental Care? Call Us at (301) 771-0989
1. Severe Toothache or Tooth Sensitivity
One reason people visit an emergency dentist near you is tooth pain. Tooth pain is one of the more common types of pain; if you have been experiencing any tooth pain for a period of time, especially while chewing food or drinking hot or cold drinks, that could mean something serious is going on, such as an abscess, cavity, or possibly nerve damage from dental work performed on your tooth in the past. Tooth sensitivity can worsen if left untreated and can lead to other problems in the future.
If there is sudden, severe pain, do not wait; go to an emergency dentist. Seeking professional assistance will allow a diagnosis of the cause of your tooth pain and help prevent further pain or additional problems.
2. Broken or Chipped Teeth
Chipped or broken teeth can occur due to an accident or injury and is one of the most common types of dental emergencies related to sports injuries and oral injuries that happen when you accidentally bite down on something hard. Chipped or broken teeth not only impact your looks but also cause a lot of pain, expose your tooth’s nerves, and can lead to further complications in the future if not corrected quickly.
If you suffer from a chipped or broken tooth, contact your dentist in Burtonsville as soon as possible. In some cases, they may use dental bonding or veneers to restore the tooth, depending on the severity of the damage.
3. Knocked-Out Teeth
A knocked-out tooth is considered a dental emergency. When you sustain an injury that results in the loss of one or more teeth, you need immediate aid. If your tooth has been removed, it is essential to act quickly to maximize your chances of saving it.
To handle the situation, you need to keep in mind the following;
- Hold the tooth by the crown with your fingers. If the tooth appears dirty, rinse it gently under cool running water.
- If you can place the tooth back into the socket, do so.
- If you are not able to put the tooth back into the socket, be sure to save it or keep it in a container with a liquid, preferably fresh milk or saline.
Time is of the essence when dealing with a knocked-out tooth. The sooner you visit an emergency dentist in Burtonsville, the higher the chances of successfully re-implanting the tooth.
4. Soft Tissue Injuries (Gums, Cheeks, or Lips)
Soft tissue injuries (gums, cheeks, lips) to the inside of your mouth can lead to bleeding and swelling. These types of injuries can often be sustained through eating hard foods, as well as through accidents and falls. For most minor cuts, you can treat yourself, but for more severe wounds, you will need to see a dental health care professional to help stop the bleeding and prevent infection.
If you need assistance because your soft tissue injury is not healing due to bleeding or if you have significant discomfort from your injury, you should seek help from your dentist in Burtonsville. Your dentist will clean the injury site and supply the treatment required to help your injury heal properly.
5. Lost or Loose Dental Fillings or Crowns
Dental crowns and fillings are placed on teeth to restore function and appearance. They can become dislodged or lost over time. When this occurs, the individual can experience sensitivity or discomfort in their affected tooth. If your filling or crown is missing, your tooth may be at risk of infection or further injury.
Therefore, it is always important to visit your emergency dentist in Burtonsville if you have lost a dental filling or crown. They will either place the filling or crown back on your tooth or provide you with a replacement to protect your tooth from further damage.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait—Get the Help You Need
Dental emergencies can cause a great deal of anxiety. The best way to safeguard your oral health is to know what to do when a dental emergency arises. If you are dealing with a toothache, lost teeth, or a soft tissue injury, receiving timely dental emergency treatment from your dentist in Burtonsville may keep the complications at bay and help ensure your teeth stay in the best possible health.
Drewyer Dentistry is here to provide care for your dental emergency. If you are experiencing any dental emergency discussed in this blog, please call our office immediately. Our dental care team is ready to provide the best possible care to keep your smile healthy in the long term.
FAQs
What should I do if my tooth is knocked out?
As soon as you have an accident and your tooth comes out, try to re-insert it into its socket. If this is too painful or you cannot re-insert it, place it in a liquid such as milk or saline solution until you can get to an emergency dentist.
What can I do to relieve tooth pain before going to the dentist?
Rinse the area with warm salt water and take over-the-counter pain medications until you see your dentist.
Is a chipped tooth considered to be a dental emergency?
If you are experiencing pain or exposed nerves from a chipped tooth, that is considered an emergency and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.
Will I be able to repair a dental crown if it has fallen out?
Absolutely. You should visit your dentist as soon as possible to have your crown replaced or repaired, as failure to do so may lead to more serious complications.
What are some common causes of tooth sensitivity?
The most common causes of tooth sensitivity include dental cavities, gum recession, and damage to the tooth enamel. Your emergency dentist will need to identify the cause of your sensitivity and offer a course of treatment.
How soon can I visit my dentist to have a replacement for my lost filling?
If you lose a dental filling, you should seek dental care immediately to prevent pain or further infection. You should contact your dentist to arrange for a replacement filling as soon as possible.
What are the signs of a dental abscess?
Symptoms of a possible dental abscess include severe pain in the affected area, swelling of the gums or jaw, and fever. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact an emergency dental clinic as soon as possible.