A dental emergency is any dental problem which requires medical attention. It can include anything from severe unexpected pain caused by a dental cavity, a broken tooth, or a knocked-out tooth.
Dental emergencies are more rampant than you may think. However, not all dental problems should be considered emergencies. To help you determine whether your dental issue can wait or if you will need to see your dentist as soon as possible, consider these questions:
- Are you experiencing severe pain?
- Is your tooth loose?
- Are you experiencing some uncontrolled bleeding?
- Have you lost a tooth that can be saved in time?
- Do you have an infection? Are you experiencing some swelling on your gums or face?
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What Are the Common Dental Emergencies?
The following are the most common dental emergencies that can be treated by an emergency dentist in Richmond:
- 1. Toothache
Experiencing pain is not always a good sign. It can indicate a lot of conditions, including tooth decay. While some are manageable without treatment, other toothache symptoms like swelling may require urgent medical attention.
One should avoid turning to common remedies like taking painkillers unless advised by your dentist because these painkillers can burn these tissues when in contact with the affected gums. Instead, it is advisable to apply an ice pack on the outside of your cheek while you wait for your medical treatment.
- 2. A knocked-out tooth
This is also a type of dental emergency. Your teeth can be knocked out during an accident or at a sports activity. So when your tooth is knocked out, it is advisable to pick it up. You are supposed to pick it up by the crown’s side and put it back into its socket. If it cannot be reinserted back, place it in a cup of milk or water with a salt pinch to preserve or keep it moistened. Bring it to your dentist for them to try saving your tooth
If there is no mil around, try holding your teeth between its socket and the upper jaw and immediately visit your dentist. The sooner you can do this, the better the chances of saving your teeth and restoring in in place.
- 3. Broken or Chipped tooth
This can be due to biting down on hard foods. A broken or chipped tooth does not only ruin your smile, it can also be painful. You can rinse your mouth with water and apply gauze on the site of the bleeding. If you are experiencing some swelling, you can also use an ice pack on the part of your face that is affected.
If the symptoms persist, then visit your emergency dentist at 77469. When seeking treatment, your dentist will advise you to avoid taking hard or crunchy foods, use your teeth to open bottles, or wear mouthguards when engaging in sports activities that can cause your teeth to chip or break.
- 4. Abscess
Infections inside your mouth, especially on the root of your teeth or in the space between your gums and teeth, are serious. When untreated, they can spread to the surrounding gum tissue and teeth, and even the rest of your body.
An abscess is a painful pimple-like swollen spot of your gums. You can temporarily alleviate these symptoms by applying ice on the swollen area or rinsing your mouth with a mild water solution. However, if your symptoms persist, visit your dentist at Charm Dental – Richmond immediately to avoid further complications.
Will An Emergency Dentist Do a Root Canal?
A root canal is also considered to fall under the umbrella of a dental emergency. This is because tooth infections are excruciating and so uncomfortable and thus can cause severe complications if left untreated. It can also lead to the death of the infected tooth. In rare cases, an infection can also cause sepsis, a life-threatening blood infection.
A root canal can treat the infection as soon as possible to prevent further complications. The sooner the infection is treated, the higher the chances of your dentist saving it to prevent tooth loss or complications related to prolonged or severe infection.
Emergency dentists are qualified to perform a root canal.
If you are looking for emergency dentistry services, visit Charm Dental – Richmond. You do not have to book an appointment.
