Most dental care can be done at your regular dentist on your schedule. However, some types of care need the immediate attention of an emergency dentist. Assessing the type and severity of your symptoms is the key to determining when you need emergency care. The faster you act, the better your outcome is likely to be, so you need to make the assessment quickly.
Dental emergencies involve trauma, discomfort, bleeding, severe pain, and other conditions that require immediate treatment. There are several types of common dental emergencies:
Broken or missing teeth or severe bleeding can be an obvious sign that you need to see an emergency dentist. Other symptoms may be more subtle.
Loose teeth are not normal for adults. If you have one or more teeth that feel loose, you need to see a dentist so you can avoid having the problem become worse.
Minor toothaches may resolve with homecare, but severe pain should be immediately investigated.
A swollen jaw can indicate a severe infection that may lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing and can cause a high fever.
Temporomandibular disorder affects the joint where the jaw connects with the skull, causing pain and popping. Not all symptoms of TMJ constitute a dental emergency, but if it causes your jaw becomes stuck in a position or its range of motion is severely decreased, you need to see an emergency dentist.
A metallic taste in your mouth is a sign that a filling may have cracked or become loose. It is a sign of a dental emergency if it is accompanied by severe pain.
Severe pain is a sign of a dental emergency, but so is a lack of feeling of any kind in your tooth. A tooth infection may cause severe pain at first, but when it reaches the nerves in the root of the tooth, it may cause numbness. A root canal may be necessary to save the tooth.
It is hard work for the body to fight off infection. A systemic symptom of many infections is fatigue, but if it is accompanied by oral symptoms, it strongly suggests that infection of a tooth or the gums may be behind it. Because many conditions can cause fatigue, you may want to see a dentist to confirm or rule out an oral infection.
If you have a dental emergency, contact your dentist's office immediately. If the office is closed, there is usually a voicemail message that provides a number to call for emergency care. If you are not able to get to a dentist immediately and you have severe pain, discomfort, or bleeding, go to an emergency room. You will probably still need to see a dentist, but the ER doctors can treat your pain and provide care for bleeding and other issues. Additionally, there are some steps you can take at home.
If you have broken or cracked a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress for swelling. Avoid applying ice directly to your skin and do not apply for more than 10 minutes at a time.
Try to put the tooth back in the socket, but do not touch the root. If you cannot put it in the socket, put it between your gum and cheek or in a container of milk. Apply a cold, wet compress if you are bleeding.
Swelling, fever, a sour taste, or trouble swallowing may indicate that you have an infection. Over-the-counter medications may reduce fever and pain.
Gums that bleed excessively may be an indication of periodontal disease. Over-the-counter medications may be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
If you have a severe laceration to your lips or tongue due to trauma or bites, gently clean the area with water. Use a cold compress to control bleeding.
Dental emergencies require immediate care from an emergency dentist. Patients can take steps at home to reduce pain, discomfort, and bleeding, but homecare should not replace dental care. Untreated emergencies can result in tooth loss and other problems.
Request an appointment here: https://stonecanyondental.com or call Stone Canyon Dental at (972) 996-3191 for an appointment in our Sunnyvale office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist in Sunnyvale, TX.
If you are dealing with a knocked-out tooth, emergency dentistry is crucial. It is one of those injuries that tend to occur at the worst possible times. Most people think that their damaged tooth is lost forever once it falls out, but that is not true.Emergency dentistry includes treatments like re-attaching a knocked-out tooth. Knocked-out…
The worst possible moment to search for an emergency dentist is in the middle of a dental emergency. Anxiety and frayed nerves are not exactly helpful when scouring the internet for dental clinics that take walk-ins.There is no time like the present to locate and vet dental practices that offer emergency care. Collect and keep…
Emergency dentists help patients who are in need of immediate dental treatment. Unlike many general and family dentists, dentists that offer emergency services are able to treat patients who need urgent care with little to no notice ahead of time. However, defining a dental emergency is not always easy, and it is best to understand…
An emergency dentist is the best dental professional to see when a patient experiences an injury. However, during dental emergencies, most people are not thinking about how to prepare. Thankfully, we are here to help! Heading to see an emergency dentist? This information may be quite helpful to you. We outline a few important tips, including…
Curious about implant-supported dentures? Read on to learn more about this tooth-replacement option. If you are missing many teeth or perhaps a whole arch, implant-supported dentures are a great solution. Patients may eat and talk with more assurance since they are more secure and pleasant than conventional dentures. Yet, dental implant-supported dentures need considerable thought…
Dentures may completely transform the quality of life for someone who has been lacking teeth by giving them back both their smile and their self-esteem. Nonetheless, it may take some time and persistence for dentures to feel natural. Read on for some helpful tips for getting used to your new dentures.When several teeth need replacement,…
