Try though you might, you can never be 100% prepared for an oral emergency because things can happen when you least expect them to. That said, you can avoid putting yourself into risky situations that are known to land people in the dentist’s chair. Understanding what’s considered urgent, and how those things are treated, can help you be prepared should you ever find yourself in such circumstances. Keep reading to learn about 4 typical dental disasters and their possible solutions!
Emergency #1: Broken Teeth
Whether you’ve been subconsciously grinding your teeth at night and noticed a fracture or bit into a barbecued rib and one split, there are many ways you could have hurt your tooth. However it happened, it’s important to contact your dentist right away because its structure is now compromised. They’ll be able to determine the cause and provide possible treatment options based on your unique circumstances. Dental crowns, for example, are often used to protect them from further harm. In other cases, if the tooth is too compromised, they might suggest a replacement like a dental implant.
Emergency #2: Trauma
If you had a tooth knocked out during a sporting event, you’re probably panicking and in pain. Try to take a few deep breaths to remain calm enough to find it, and then call your dentist. If your chomper isn’t too injured, it’s possible for them to put it back in its place. Otherwise, they’ll need to fit you for a dental implant or bridge, depending on the extent of the damage. Fortunately, there’s more than one way to refurbish your smile.
Emergency #3: Persistent Toothache
If you have pain in your tooth that’s frequent, constant, or strong enough to interrupt your daily activities or wake you up at night, then you have a dental emergency. The longer it goes unaddressed, the more likely the infection will spread to other teeth, your gums, or even your bloodstream. From there, it can travel to other areas of your body and cause serious medical conditions like cancer or heart disease. In many such cases, the culprit is a cavity that’s penetrated all the way to the root, in which case your dentist will need to perform a root canal sooner rather than later.
Emergency #4: Lost Fillings
It’s not entirely uncommon for dental fillings to loosen or dislodge altogether, but when it happens, you’ll need to get help immediately. Fillings are used to repair areas of tooth decay and without it, your pearly white could become inflamed or infected which can compromise the tooth entirely. Your dentist won’t want to risk you damaging it further or losing it altogether, so they’ll try to see you right away. The solution might be as simple as refilling it, but if they find the tooth is too far gone, an extraction and replacement may be required.
Now that you know some typical dental emergencies, you’ll know what to expect if you ever experience one!
About the Practice
Patients at Pelican Landing Dental benefit from a team of experts who work together to provide honest, personalized oral care solutions. They offer a full array of services under one roof, including emergency dentistry. With same-day appointments available, you won’t have to wait for relief if you’ve injured a tooth. You’re welcome to contact the office for an appointment on the website or by calling (239) 766-6311.
