Emergency dental services treat the teeth, gums, and jaw, acute injury, and illness to restore function and aesthetics while preventing complications. Dentists offering emergency dental services are important when severe tooth pain strikes. Their services are also useful for individuals who break or lose a tooth, as seeking care right away can potentially restore their smile.
Emergency dental services are available at Smile Solutions in Pittsburg and the surrounding area. When you or a family member has a dental emergency, seek help immediately. Medical care can often help patients avoid complications such as infection and difficulty speaking or eating. Call us at 620-317-0286Â to explore your options.
Common Dental Emergencies
According to the American Association of Endodontists, emergency dental care is appropriate when a person:
- Breaks, cracks, or chips a tooth because of an impact or fall
- Loses a tooth because of an impact or fall
- Experiences severe pain because of a decayed or infected tooth
Some damage or trauma to teeth may be an emergency that requires immediate restorative dental care. This could include replacing a filling, installing a temporary crown, or performing a root canal. An emergency dentist may be able to give you emergency advice over the phone. For example, if an adult tooth is knocked out of place, put it in milk and then get to a dentist as soon as possible.
- Some damage or trauma to teeth may be an emergency that requires immediate restorative dental care.
When To Visit An Emergency Dentist
Not all oral problems require emergency dental care, so patients must examine their situation before making an appointment. Most minor issues can wait a few days for a scheduled appointment. However, there are several reasons to seek emergency dental care:
- Restorative emergencies: Accidents can occur at any time, and in the event of a missing or chipped tooth, it is best to seek immediate care. Restorative emergencies require dental care to preserve teeth, so they remain functional. Dentists can then replace teeth to restore the patient’s smile.
- Severe gum pain: According to WebMD, patients should visit the dentist if minor tooth, jaw, or gum pain lasts more than two days. However, those who are in extreme pain should visit the dentist immediately. Pain that persists despite taking over-the-counter medications, such as Aleve, Tylenol, or Advil, could indicate a serious infection or gum disease.
- Tooth abscess: Tooth abscesses are caused by pockets of pus that develop underneath teeth. In addition to being extremely painful, a tooth abscess can lead to a life-threatening infection if left untreated. Seeking immediate care allows dentists to drain the pus that causes the pain before the problem becomes more severe.
- Lost fillings: When patients lose cavity fillings or crowns, the opening is susceptible to infection. Replacing lost crowns and fillings eliminates pain and reduces the chance of infection setting in. Waiting to receive this treatment could elevate patients’ pain.
- …there are several reasons to seek emergency dental care.
Benefits Of Emergency Dental Care
Emergency dental treatment helps relieve mouth pain quickly and effectively. Dental trauma can occur from an accident or an injury. Seeking immediate care when a problem occurs prevents it from becoming a more extensive issue requiring harsher treatments. By taking control of dental emergencies and visiting the dentist immediately, patients can drastically improve their oral health.
- Seeking immediate care when a problem occurs prevents it from becoming a more extensive issue requiring harsher treatments.
Treatments For Dental Emergencies
Since there are many types of dental emergencies, treatment options vary. The dentist will first examine the problem to determine the best course of treatment. After diagnosing the issue, the dentist can either treat the infection, remove the infected tooth, or replace missing tooth fragments. The dentist may also prescribe pain medication or antibiotics to aid in recovery.
- Since there are many types of dental emergencies, treatment options vary.
What To Do While Waiting For Emergency Dental Treatment
If a patient is suffering from any kind of dental trauma, the first thing to do is contact the dentist for instructions. Treatment options vary depending on the type of problem. For a lost filling or crown, patients can use a small piece of sugarless gum to cover the opening temporarily. Mouth pain can sometimes be alleviated with over-the-counter medications, while extensive dental trauma may require patients to pack their mouths with gauze.
- If a patient is suffering from any kind of dental trauma, the first thing to do is contact the dentist for instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Dental Terminology
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in the tooth root from a bacterial infection.
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
Facial cellulitis is a condition in which an infection from an abscess or plaque in the teeth causes pain and spreads throughout the face.
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that does not erupt properly from the gums and can cause pain and infection without professional extraction.
Irreversible pulpitis is when the tooth pain occurs spontaneously or persists after the patient removes the hot/cold substance that was causing it. Normal pulpitis will stop hurting immediately after removing the cause of the pain.
Lateral luxation is the displacement of a tooth that moves it in the wrong direction while it is still attached to the gums.
Pericoronitis is the inflammation of soft tissues surrounding a tooth that does not fully erupt from the gums and causes pain.
Tooth avulsion is when the tooth is completely displaced from the socket due to an accident or other health issues. We can replant the tooth if the patient seeks immediate care.
A tooth fracture can result from multiple sources, including an accidental elbow to the face during a sports game, biting on something really hard, falling face-first, and more.
Learn More About How Emergency Dental Care Can Help You
A dental emergency can be frightening, and it is important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Our practitioners can treat your problem to relieve mouth pain quickly. Call Smile Solutions today to schedule an appointment in Pittsburg.