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The first person you should contact when you have a dental problem is your dentist. However, what if you encounter a problem in the middle of the night, weekend, or holiday? If you have severe dental issues outside of business hours, you need to go to the ER or see an emergency dentist right away.
While some dental issues are minor, others are much more serious and require seeking medical help as soon as possible. It’s critical to understand what is considered a dental emergency before seeking emergency help for your dental issues. Visit here for more information.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Any situation that involves uncontrollable bleeding, facial bone trauma, or other factors is defined as a dental emergency. If you ever encounter any of the said symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room or see a dentist as soon as possible. It’s important to remember that dental problems are divided into two categories.
Urgent dental procedures usually require an immediate dental visit.
It’s clear that the level of discomfort can vary from person to person.
Urgent dental care procedures are precisely that: they are time-sensitive.
What Are Considered as Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies happen more frequently than you might think. However, not every dental issue should be treated as an emergency. Consider the following questions to determine whether you can wait or if you need to see an emergency dentist right away:
- Did you lose a tooth? A dentist could save the tooth if it is treated quickly.
- Are you in excruciating pain? If you’re experiencing bleeding or severe pain, it’s time to see an emergency dentist.
- Do you think you’re infected? Swelling of the gums or knots on the gums, as well as swollen faces, may indicate an infection. A tooth abscess in your mouth or an infection that is severe can be life-threatening, so you must have it treated as soon as possible.
- Is there blood in your mouth? If there’s blood in your mouth, it could indicate that you require immediate medical attention.
- Do you have a set of loose teeth? Even if you don’t experience pain, a loose tooth indicates a serious problem.
So, what constitutes a dental emergency? Any dental issue requiring immediate dental treatment to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, or save a tooth is classified as an emergency. Furthermore, any potentially fatal infections are dental emergencies.
You should seek treatment at an urgent dental clinic if you have any of these symptoms. Call your dentist right away and explain what happened in detail. If the dental clinic is closed, you may need to look for an emergency dentist or emergency room.
What Doesn’t Necessitate Emergency Dental Treatment?
In general, if you can wait a few days to see your dentist, it is not an emergency. Many issues that appear critical at first glance can be put off for a few days if you take good care of yourself.
You can consider a broken tooth an emergency only if you experience severe pain or if the fracture has left fragments that are sharp traumatizing the inside of your mouth. You can postpone a dentist visit for a few days if the chipped tooth doesn’t hurt.
If the pain is not severe and there is no abscess, a toothache treatment can be postponed. However, if you notice symptoms such as gum bumps, a high fever, or swelling, you should contact your dentist right away.
You can probably wait a few days to visit the dentist if you have lost a filling crown. If your crown falls out, use over-the-counter dental cement or denture adhesive to secure it until you can see your dentist. If you lose a dental filling, you can use a piece of gum (sugar-free) to replace it temporarily.
How You Can Avoid Dental Emergency
The best way to avoid potential dental emergencies is to brush and floss your teeth daily and regularly visit the dental clinic for check-ups and cleanings. Your dentist will check for any loose crowns and fillings, as well as any signs of gum disease, decay, or infections, during these routine visits.
With a customised treatment plan, you can address any dental issues before they become an emergency. You can listen to your body and look for signs that you might be developing dental problems if you know what constitutes a dental emergency.
Do Toothaches Qualify as a Dental Emergency?
While you should not ignore a toothache, it is not always considered a dental emergency. A toothache is usually a sign that you have an underlying dental problem or condition that needs to be addressed and treated before developing more symptoms.
If you have pain in your tooth, mouth, or jaw, you should contact your dentist right away.
