There are many issues that can require emergency dental services. Some need immediate care, and some can wait until your dentist is open. Realizing your situation requires emergency dental care can be scary, but the most important thing you can do is to remain calm.
Do You Need Emergency Dental Services?
There are a few questions to ask yourself to determine whether you need emergency dental services:
- Is there bleeding that is not slowing or stopping?
- Are you in extreme pain?
- Have you lost a tooth?
- Have you experienced facial trauma?
- Are you experiencing severe facial swelling?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you need immediate care. These are true dental emergencies, and time is of the essence. Call your dentist and follow their recommendations. If it is after hours or your dentist isn’t available, you should probably seek emergency care.
Tooth Infection
Tooth or gum infections sometimes need emergency dental services. If you are in extreme pain or experiencing lots of swelling, seek immediate medical attention. Swelling can be severe and close off your airway. The infection will also eat away teeth and bone, which causes further damage. It is important to seek care as soon as you experience pain, swelling, or an abscess that indicates an infection.
Facial Trauma
Facial trauma can occur for many reasons, including car accidents, falls, or a blow to the head. This can result in loose or broken teeth. It can also cause lacerations to your mouth or gums. Bleeding in these areas can be difficult to control. Broken or loose teeth need emergency dental services.
If the tooth is loose or cracked and the pain is manageable, you will need care within 24 hours. If you lose a tooth, a piece is broken off, or it is severely cracked, you should seek immediate care.
Dentures
When you think of emergency dental services, you might not consider dentures. However, broken dentures require quick treatment as well. Dentures are important for your comfort, chewing, and speaking. If your dentures break, call your dentist immediately. Some breaks can be repaired temporarily in the dentist’s office. Others will have to be sent to a dental lab or be replaced.
Crowns and Bridges
Crowns or fillings can come out due to facial trauma, tooth decay, or eating hard foods. If you lose a crown or filling, you will need to see the dentist within the next 24-48 hours to prevent further damage. If you find the crown or filling, hold on to it and bring it to your appointment. Dental wax or over the counter numbing medications can be used to help relieve discomfort until you see your dentist.
Bridges can break as well. The bridge itself can break, or one of the teeth connected to the bridge can break. These require quick care similar to a lost crown because bacteria can enter where the break occurred and cause more problems.
Broken Braces
Braces can break as well. Broken braces are far from a life-threatening emergency, but they still require emergency dental services. If left untreated, your teeth can begin to shift back to their old positions, which will lengthen your treatment time.
If there are pieces that are partially attached, they can rub against your mouth and cause sores. Dental wax can help prevent this problem until you can get orthodontic treatment.
Requiring emergency dental services can be scary as well as inconvenient. However, they are necessary for certain situations. If you need emergency treatment, don’t wait. Contact Lovett Dental Missouri City at 281-969-5099. We offer a wide variety of services to meet your treatment needs.