Dental emergencies can occur unexpectedly, and they often involve severe pain. When it comes to emergency dental care, it is important to determine whether you need urgent and prompt care or if you can wait for a regular dental appointment. Being able to understand the signs of a true dental emergency can help you make the best possible choice for your oral health while avoiding delayed treatments that might make your condition worse.
The good news is that modern dentistry offers many options to treat different kinds of dental emergencies. Whether you have a toothache, lost a filling or cracked a tooth, contact a reputable Kingwood dentist if you need emergency dental care.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Emergency dental care can be any urgent oral health issue that requires prompt and professional care to alleviate severe pain, stop bleeding, save a tooth, or treat an oral infection. These incidents may or may not wait for normal business hours or a scheduled appointment, which has many people choosing a dentist with early morning appointments along with regular hours. This is often more convenient for those that have a dental emergency that cannot wait for a regular visit.
Some of the most common dental emergencies include knocked-out teeth, severe toothaches that indicate an infection, uncontrolled bleeding, swelling of the face which might mean an infection, jaw injuries, and lost dental work that’s exposing a nerve.
How Do You Know When You Need Emergency Dental Care?
A dental emergency is any oral health issue that demands prompt attention. Ignoring a serious dental issue can lead to a variety of long-term problems, such as tooth loss. Some common dental emergencies that require a reputable dentist include:
- Severe toothache
- Knocked out tooth
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Uncontrolled bleeding from a mouth injury
- Swollen gums, face, or jaw
- Loose or dislodged tooth
- Lost or damaged dental restorations
- Abscess
- Soft tissue injuries
What Should I Do During a Dental Emergency?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you need to reach out to your Kingwood dentist. While you are waiting for assistance, it’s important to stay calm as panicking will only make the situation worse. Take this time to assess the severity of your condition. You can help manage your pain and any swelling by using a cold compress on the area. You can also take some over-the-counter pain medication to help with any pain. Use clean gauze or a soft cloth to stop bleeding by applying gentle pressure to those areas. If a tooth or restoration has been knocked out, save it and store it safely so you can bring it with you to the dentist.
Where Can I Go for Emergency Dental Care?
The best place for emergency dental treatment is typically with your regular dentist. They have knowledge of your overall oral health and will best know how to treat your emergency. However, dental emergencies rarely happen during regular business hours, so it is a good idea to talk with your dentist to determine what they suggest should an emergency arise outside their normal operating hours.
Your dentist has relationships with other dental professionals, and they may have a preferred emergency dental clinic that they would recommend for something that cannot wait. These clinics have extended hours, weekend availability, and special equipment for emergency procedures.
What are some Preventative Measures to Avoid Dental Emergencies?
While not all dental emergencies can be avoided, there are some risks that can be prevented and reduced. Maintain regular dental checkups and cleanings so the dentist can identify any issues early on with your teeth. Also, make sure to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily to help prevent cavities and gum disease.
Be sure to wear a mouthguard while playing sports or during high impact activities to prevent teeth being broken or knocked out. Another way to prevent dental emergencies is to avoid chewing on hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels or some hard or sticky candies. Lastly, do not use your teeth as tools, like to open packages or remove tags.
Visit Your Kingwood Dentist for Emergency Dental Care
Since a dental emergency requires timely and appropriate care, it is important to speak with your dentist about an emergency before it happens. This will give you some valuable peace of mind in knowing just what to do should a dental emergency occur.
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