Dental emergencies have a nasty way of happening at the worst possible moments, and knowing how to get the care you need can make the difference between reaching a favorable resolution and permanently losing one or more teeth. Your dentist will be happy to schedule you for a same-day appointment if a tooth-related crisis strikes, so here’s a brief guide to how emergency dental exams and conducted and when you should seek help from your oral health professional.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is an oral health problem that interferes with your daily life or requires immediate treatment to prevent serious consequences. A few examples include:
- Toothache: A throbbing toothache that doesn’t go away after about a day is probably caused by a destructive infection that requires immediate treatment.
- Large chips or cracks: Dental damage that causes painful sensitivity, exposes the pulp tissue, or reaches beneath the gumline is a serious oral health risk.
- Severe dental sensitivity: Pain caused by exposing the teeth to heat or cold may be the result of enamel erosion, injury, or severe infection.
- A knocked-out or loose tooth: Teeth that are removed from their sockets are at immediate risk of being lost.
- Small oral wounds: Dentists can often stitch minor lacerations of the gums, lips, or tongue shut, but large wounds should be tended to at the emergency room.
- Severe jaw pain: If your jaw is so painful that you cannot move your mouth properly when speaking or chewing, contact your dentist.
- Stubborn objects: A bit of debris that cannot be removed with a thorough brushing and flossing session should be seen at your dentist’s office.
What Happens During an Emergency Dental Appointment?
If you experience a dental emergency, secure any dislodged teeth or pieces of teeth by placing them in a clean container with milk or some saliva. Never touch the root of a dislodged tooth or clean it with chemicals like soap or detergent. Then, contact your dentist to receive first aid instructions and receive an appointment time.
When you arrive at your dentist’s office, their staff will promptly check you in. Then, your dentist will conduct an emergency exam which will involve inspecting the problem area of the mouth. In many cases, a dislodged tooth can be successfully reimplanted if it is treated within a few hours. If the patient requires more intensive treatments, they may be provided with prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medication and be scheduled for another appointment on a later date.
Don’t let a dental emergency catch you off-guard. Knowing when to seek the care you need can help you keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life.
About the Practice
Lyndon Family Dental offers the finest oral healthcare in Fayetteville. Led by Drs. Marley Rinoldo and Simone P. Reid, the staff treats each patient with compassion, courtesy, and exemplary customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, dial (315) 449-0711. For non-urgent inquiries, please contact our office online.