A dental emergency is any situation causing severe pain or discomfort that requires immediate attention. Many dental offices have protocols for handling emergencies outside of regular office hours.
The best way to avoid a dental emergency is through preventative care. However, accidents can happen. The key is to know when to call for help and when it’s not necessary.
Toothache
Pain originating from or around a tooth, especially one that doesn’t go away after over-the-counter pain relievers, is the most common sign of an emergency dental Glendale AZ need. Other symptoms include swelling, sensitivity to hot or cold, and jaw or face pain.
While a toothache is always a serious concern, not all dental issues require emergency treatment. Unless it’s due to a knocked-out tooth, a lost dental filling or crown, bleeding that won’t stop, or broken facial bones, the throbbing pain caused by a toothache typically does not qualify as a medical emergency.
However, it’s important to be prepared by understanding when an issue is urgent so you can take action as needed. Having access to a dental practice that offers emergency services and understanding what qualifies as an emergency can be a lifesaver in avoiding severe consequences. Be sure to bookmark this page and reference it when you need information about emergencies in your mouth or jaw.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth (also called an avulsed tooth) is a dental emergency that requires immediate treatment. Knocked-out teeth can be caused by sports injuries, car accidents, or even biting down on something hard.
The first thing to do when a tooth is knocked out is to remain calm and check the injured person for any other injuries. If the person is conscious, they should try to put the tooth back into its socket (the hole in the gum that a baby tooth grows into). If this isn’t possible, they should try to store the tooth in milk (don’t use tap water; the root surface can’t handle water exposure for long) or in an emergency tooth preservation kit until they can see an emergency dentist.
A knocked-out tooth that isn’t treated immediately can cause a number of complications, including infections in the gums and jawbone, bite problems, and shifting of other teeth. However, emergency dental treatment can reimplant the tooth and prevent these long-term issues.
Broken Tooth
While teeth are strong, they can break due to trauma, injury, or severe decay. Broken teeth can be very painful, affect the ability to chew and speak, and lead to more serious dental complications if not addressed quickly.
If a tooth is broken, an emergency dentist can assess the extent of damage and offer treatment to prevent complications. Symptoms of a broken tooth include pain, swelling, or difficulty eating. If a broken tooth has a filling or crown, the patient should try to find it and bring it with them to their appointment. If the broken tooth is knocked out completely, the patient should place it between their gum and cheek or in a small glass of milk and seek immediate medical attention.
It is important to understand what constitutes a dental emergency and when it is appropriate to visit an emergency dentist in the area. Regular visits to a general dentistry office can help patients avoid emergencies and maintain a healthy smile.
Infections
Persistent tooth pain and swelling around the ear or jawbone are signs of an infection, especially if it triggers a fever. This may also be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes and facial swelling. An emergency dentist can clean the area and drain a tooth abscess to ease symptoms. They can prescribe antibiotics to control the infection and prevent it from spreading.
While antibiotics offer temporary relief, the best way to get immediate relief and protect your teeth is to seek emergency dental Glendale AZ treatment. The emergency dentist can assess the condition of your teeth and gums and recommend appropriate long-term treatment.
Some traumatic dental injuries require emergency care, like severe tooth fractures, dislocated teeth or tooth damage from sports or motor vehicle accidents. Others aren’t so obvious, such as a broken crown or knocked-out tooth. A sudden sensitivity to hot or cold foods is another sign that you need urgent care. This could be caused by a crack or chip that exposes the root to the elements.
