Dental emergencies are difficult because of how sudden they can occur and how urgently you may need to receive dental care. Dental emergencies can happen from accidents causing facial injury or from the sudden onset of a serious oral health issue that requires immediate attention from a dentist near you.
There is emergency dentistry available near you! Queen Street Dental offers same-day emergency care dentistry in Spruce Grove! Here are ways to identify if you are experiencing a dental emergency and what you can do about them.
Types of Dental Emergencies
The type of dental care given at regular appointments every six months is not for major issues. Dental emergencies can be variety of things such as:
- Severe toothache – Intense and persistent tooth pain can indicate an underlying issue such as an infection, abscess, or tooth fracture.
- Knocked-out tooth – If an injury or trauma has caused a tooth to be completely dislodged, it is considered a dental emergency. Immediate action can increase the chances of saving the tooth.
- Broken or chipped tooth – If a tooth is significantly damaged, causing pain or exposing the nerves, it requires prompt attention to prevent further complications.
- Loose or displaced tooth – If a tooth becomes loose or is pushed out of its original position, it is necessary to seek immediate dental care to ensure proper repositioning or stabilization.
- Dental abscess – An abscess is a painful infection that can occur around the tooth root or in the gums. It typically presents with swelling, severe pain, and fever.
Other reasons include:
- Injuries sustained to gums, jaws, cheeks or lip
- Dislodged crowns and fillings
- Swelling anywhere in the mouth
- Severe bleeding
- Severe pain
- Bleeding or pain after dental work
When experiencing a dental emergency, it is important to remain calm, apply pressure to any bleeding areas and make your way to the emergency dental office near you.
Even if you cannot see a dentist in person immediately, contacting one over the phone is another option to help guide what you should do before you can receive treatment for your emergency.
You can also try rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater to help alleviate discomfort. Over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help temporarily reduce pain.
Why Immediate Treatment is Crucial
First and foremost, if you are experiencing a dental emergency, you are likely experiencing a great deal of pain. The longer you procrastinate visiting a dentist near you, the longer you spend in pain. The sooner you arrive, the sooner you can receive treatment which likely means initial reductions in pain.
Another important reason is to increase the chances of teeth being saved. The sooner after an injury, a dentist near you can treat the injured area and save teeth even if a tooth has been removed or is in pieces. It is crucial to act quickly if a tooth is knocked out. If you can, try reinserting the tooth gently into its socket, keeping it moist in saliva until you reach a dentist.
Without proper moisture and prompt, professional care, the cells on the root surface can die, negatively impacting the tooth’s viability. The longer a tooth remains outside the socket, the more likely the surrounding tissues will become damaged or start to deteriorate, making reimplantation difficult or impossible.
Delaying Treatment Consequences
Running the risk of infection is one of the biggest consequences of delaying treatment. Infection can be an issue for any injury, and the longer it is left untreated, the more opportunity the infection has to spread and do damage. Infection can also spread to other parts of the body, creating more issues that could go beyond what a dentist can treat.
Another reason is that there may be more time to repair or restore the issue. Waiting too long may cause things to begin to heal improperly, or the chance of repair may pass. For example, when a tooth is knocked out, the root surface can become damaged and susceptible to drying out.
Are You Looking For an Emergency Dentist In Spruce Grove?
Do not hesitate to make your way here to Queen Street Dental. The earlier we can help provide you the urgent dental care you need, the better off you will be. Early interventions are a much easier toll versus more invasive treatments and procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How soon should I seek treatment for a dental emergency?
For a dental emergency, seeking treatment as soon as possible is crucial. Time is critical in preserving teeth, managing pain and preventing further complications.
2. What can I do to manage pain before seeing a dentist?
You can try rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater to help alleviate discomfort. Over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help temporarily reduce pain.
3. What happens if I delay treatment for a dental emergency?
Your two biggest risks when delaying treatment is a severe infection causing damage and damage healing incorrectly or in a way that disallows any ability for repair (ex: tooth not being able to go back into place anymore)