Why You Should Deal with Dental Emergencies ASAP

If you have ever encountered a dental emergency, you probably know how stressful and uncomfortable the situation can be. It never seems to happen at a convenient time, and you don’t always know what steps to take for the best possible outcome. Sometimes you don’t even know if your situation counts as a dental emergency. Read on to learn from your emergency dentist about what a dental emergency is, how you should react, and why you should work quickly to see a dentist.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is an issue in the mouth that requires immediate attention. Sometimes it is obvious when you need to see your emergency dentist, but other times, it can be conflicting. Here are some situations that are considered dental emergencies:

• Broken and cracked teeth
• Knocked-out teeth
• Severe tooth or jaw pain
• Excessive bleeding or aching gums

Issues like lost fillings, chipped veneers, and broken appliances should be addressed soon, but are not considered dental emergencies that require immediate care. If you aren’t sure if what you’re experiencing is an emergency, give your dentist a call. They will be able to give you proper advice regarding your situation.

Why Should You Act Quickly?

It depends the type of dental emergency as to why it needs to be treated so quickly. Usually, it is because of one of the following:

Saving Your Tooth

Traumatic injuries can leave you with a damaged tooth that won’t ever be the same without immediate care. If you have had your tooth broken or knocked out and you don’t seek emergency care right away, you are much more likely to lose your tooth completely. At this point, you would need to consider tooth replacement options like dental implants, bridges, or dentures.

Prevent Infections

If you’ve experienced a traumatic injury to your mouth or are experiencing a severe toothache, leaving it untreated could put you at risk for infections that can spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs. Ultimately, an untreated infection can become life-threatening.

Reduce Pain

If you’re going through an unbearable amount of pain as the result of a toothache or injury to the mouth, it isn’t going to get better on its own. The longer you wait, the more pain you will feel. If this is the case, you should give your emergency dentist a call. They will be able to give you advice on alleviating pain until you are able to make it to the office.

Dental emergencies are never fun, but it is important to have them treated right away so you don’t put yourself at risk for pain, infection, or tooth loss. By getting the help you need now, you can avoid future, more complex issues and get back on your feet.

About the Author

Dr. Sol G. Brotman is an emergency dentist serving patients in Jacksonville, FL. He is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and is one of the few private practitioners who passed the written examination for Board Certification in General Dentistry. His other honors have included Fellowship in the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, and the Academy of Dentistry International. For more information on dental emergencies or to schedule an urgent appointment, visit his website or call (904) 396-4091.