When it comes to dental emergencies, time is of the essence. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more likely it is that your condition will worsen or require more extensive work like a root canal or dental crown.
Walk-in emergency dentists are available to care for patients in extreme emergency situations that cannot wait until a regular dental office opens. Emergency walk-in dentists typically have flexible hours and accept emergency patients.
Toothaches
A toothache is a dental emergency that requires immediate treatment. Severe pain or pressure, especially if accompanied by a fever, indicates serious issues such as an infection, cracked teeth, or a fractured root. In addition to treating the pain, your dentist will check for loose or missing crowns, exposed nerves, and damaged wisdom teeth.
Knocked-out teeth (known in dentistry as avulsed teeth) also need prompt treatment to be saved. Rinse the tooth, if possible, and try to reinsert it in its socket. If this is not feasible, place it in milk or saliva and seek emergency care as soon as possible.
Visiting your regular dentist regularly and practicing preventative oral health is the best way to avoid dental emergencies. However, unforeseen situations may arise that require the attention of an emergency dentist 32825. Knowing what qualifies as a dental emergency and how to find one can help you save your teeth and reduce the need for costly medical treatments.
Broken or Fractured Teeth
Even a perfectly healthy mouth with impeccable oral hygiene isn’t immune to dental trauma. Injuries such as a blow to the mouth or jaw, biting down on something hard, or chewing ice can lead to fractured and broken teeth. These injuries should be treated promptly to increase the chances of saving the tooth or reducing the pain associated with it.
The most common type of fractured tooth is a craze line, which is a shallow crack in the enamel that looks like straight lines and is easy to miss. Craze lines occur when the teeth are exposed to stress from daily activities, such as clenching or grinding, and can also be caused by an uneven bite.
If a tooth is cracked or broken, apply pressure to the area with a piece of gauze until the bleeding stops and take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Rinsing the mouth and salvaging any broken tooth fragments will help reduce bacteria and ease discomfort until you can see a dentist.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency. It’s not as dramatic as a movie hero brushing off a blow to the jaw and continuing on, but it can still be a painful, frightening experience for anyone who experiences it.
If a person has a knocked out tooth (or “avulsed” tooth, as dentists call it), they should try to put it back in place immediately. It’s important to remember that only permanent teeth can be replanted, not baby teeth.
To re-implant a tooth, gently insert it into the socket of its original location. Then, bite down on a handkerchief or other soft object to hold it in place. If possible, rinse it briefly with milk to keep it moist and then go see a dentist. If the tooth is re-inserted successfully, it will need to be stabilized with a composite splint for several days. This will ensure that the tooth can heal correctly. It will also likely require root canal treatment.
Broken or Loose Wires in Braces
It’s not uncommon for orthodontic patients to encounter broken wires during their treatment. This issue can be a pain (literally) and a setback in the progress of your smile journey.
It can also be exacerbated by certain foods and habits like biting nails or chewing on pens. Not to mention, improper brushing technique can weaken the adhesive that holds the brackets in place, increasing your risk for loose wires.
If a wire is loose, first position yourself in front of a mirror and good lighting to assess whether it’s simply out of its bracket or actually broken. Then, carefully clip the end of the wire with a pair of tweezers or small pliers, making sure to cut it as close as possible to the next bracket.
You can then use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp ends that may be poking into your gums or cheek, and help reduce discomfort until you can see the orthodontist for repair. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can also help manage discomfort while you wait for an appointment.
