Dental emergencies can happen at any time. The causes and symptoms of dental emergencies vary, but the end result is always inconvenient.
An emergency is any situation that puts your health at risk and needs to be addressed immediately. If you are experiencing severe pain, have a broken tooth or filling, or lose a tooth, you should call your dentist to make an appointment as soon as possible.
If you experience any of the following situations, you should seek immediate emergency dental care:
- Severe tooth pain
- Broken/missing fillings or crowns
- Knocked-out tooth
- Infections
- Bleeding gums
- Abscesses
- Jaw injuries
- Broken or fractured tooth
- Soft tissue injuries
- Objects caught between teeth
What Are Emergency Dental Treatments?
Dental emergencies require immediate care from a dentist. If you experience pain or discomfort that’s making it difficult for you to perform your daily tasks, we recommend seeing an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Emergency dental procedures include the following:
Antibiotics can be prescribed for infections caused by an abscessed tooth or an infection in the gums and supporting tissue. Antibiotics can also be taken if a tooth has been knocked out and is at risk of becoming infected. Antibiotics can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
If your tooth has been knocked out or broken, it’s important to see an emergency dentist as quickly as possible. Broken teeth expose the sensitive root of the tooth to bacteria in the mouth that can cause infection and pain. If the root is exposed for more than a few minutes, you may need to take an antibiotic to help prevent an infection from occurring. A dental filling or crown can be placed on the broken tooth to restore its function and strength. If a nerve becomes exposed during a dental procedure, root canal treatment may be necessary to prevent an infection of the pulp and surrounding tissues. Root canal therapy is a multi-step process that requires a skilled endodontist to complete, but it can save your tooth and prevent the need for an extraction.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact your dentist immediately for assistance. The sooner you can receive proper care for your condition, the better the outcome is likely to be.
How To Prevent Dental Emergencies?
Dental injuries or pain are common emergency reasons for patients to visit the dental office. By visiting the dentist at least twice a year, your dentist can spot and prevent any dental health issues early before they become serious issues that require emergency care. The dentist can also clean your teeth thoroughly to remove any plaque buildup that could cause gum disease. This lowers the chances of you experiencing serious toothaches as a result of gum inflammation. Regular cleanings also prevent cavities and tooth decay from developing. Cavities can cause a lot of pain and discomfort in your tooth, so by maintaining good oral hygiene habits, you can prevent such occurrences.
It is also important for you to avoid chewing on hard objects such as fingernails, pencils, etc., as these objects can damage the surface of your teeth and cause chips and cracks. You can also protect your mouth with a mouth guard if you play a contact sport or have a habit of grinding your teeth at night.
With proper dental care habits and regular appointments with your dentist, you can protect yourself from any sudden and unexpected dental emergencies.
Get in touch with Merrillville Dental Center at 303 W. 89th Ave, Suite E-2, Merrillville, IN 46410, or call (219) 755-0045 in the event of a dental emergency.
