What Is Emergency Dental Care?

Emergency dental care is any dental issue you are experiencing that requires immediate attention. It is important to maintain good oral health care to avoid having unnecessary emergency dental care procedures performed, but it is equally important to address serious issues when necessary. This is especially true in the case of accidents that occur during a time other than your dentist’s normal business hours.

Some of the more common procedures that take place in an emergency dental visit is an injury related to a broken, cracked, or knocked out tooth or teeth, which most commonly occur from falling, a sports related event, or biting on food that is too hard. In some cases, a cracked or chipped tooth can wait until the next day, but there are times when the damage is so intense, it is important to seek immediate medical assistance.

What Type of Problems Constitute an Emergency Room Visit?

There are a range of potentially serious oral health issues that require emergency dental care, including the following:

• Serious infections/abscesses
• Severe injuries to the teeth, gums, or face
• Terrible pain and/or heavy bleeding, especially after a dental procedure
• Loss of crown
• Tooth pain or fractures caused by an accident
• Loose teeth in adults
• Facial pain
• Cracked or chipped teeth

What Do I Do If I Have a Dental Emergency?

The first thing you should do if you have recently had your tooth knocked out is to avoid handling the tooth as much as possible. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket and then bite down on a wet gauze or wet tea bag. It is important that you be careful not to swallow your tooth while it is this loose.

If you are not able to place the tooth back in the socket, wash the tooth off to remove any visible dirt, and then place the tooth in a container that either contains your saliva, or if this not possible, a glass of milk until you are able to visit with your dentist or oral surgeon. You may also want to apply a cold compress to address any bleeding that is occurring.

While a tooth that has become broken or knocked out is a clear sign that dental intervention is required, you may find yourself struggling with something a little less certain, such as intense tooth pain due to an abscessed tooth. If you are concerned that emergency dental care is necessary, it is a good idea to first call your dentist’s office, as they may be able to schedule you for a checkup quickly.

If your emergency occurs during off hours, it is still a good idea to call your dentist even if you know their office is closed, as the voicemail may provide the number for an available emergency dentist. If neither of these options are successful, your best option is to go to the nearest emergency room, where staff can determine whether your injury needs to be addressed immediately or can wait. They will also determine whether pain medication is necessary.

To learn more about Meadowdale Dental Clinic and their Emergency Dentist contact us today!

Learn more about Emergency Dentistry in General : Emergency Dentistry for Children