Dental
Emergency

Knocking out a tooth in an accident, cracking a molar on some hard food, or experiencing a sudden, unexplained toothache: All of these can be considered a dental emergency, requiring quick, professional diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes, however, it’s difficult to know whether you or someone else, is experiencing a real emergency.  Here is some information that can help you understand whether you need emergency dental care, and what to do.

What is a Dental Emergency?

Urgent dental needs can include, but are not limited to: tooth aches/pain, swollen and painful gums, loose tooth or teeth, loose or broken fillings, denture issues, broken or irritating ortho appliances. As with any medical emergency, it is important to get professional advice and treatment right away. Ignoring bleeding, pain, or a loosened or broken tooth can create complications that will require more extensive and expensive treatment later on.

How Do I Know If I’m Having A Dental Emergency?

Emergencies typically involve pain, uncontrolled bleeding, or a tooth that is at risk. A tooth that is at risk is one that has been knocked out, severely loosened, broken, or cracked. It is important to seek professional care without delay to improve your chances of saving your tooth.

What Do I Do if I Believe I Need Emergency Dental Care?

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide where to go for emergency dental care. Generally, the best option is to go to a dentist. At Dentist of Aventura, we understand that dental emergencies can be unpleasant and frustrating. Whether you are a regular patient or new to Dentist of Aventura, you can call our office anytime 24/7. After hours, you can leave a voice message for our on-call dentist and he or she will get back to you immediately.

What Should I Do While Waiting for a Callback or Care?

If your tooth has been severely loosened or knocked out, do what you can to keep it in its socket. Try putting some moistened gauze over it to help hold it in place, but be sure to take care that you don’t swallow it. Remember to avoid touching the root of the tooth as to not introduce any new bacteria.

Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can alleviate pain and help keep you comfortable while you wait. You can also use a cold compress on your cheek near the tooth to help reduce pain and swelling.

If you do get in touch with your dentist and have to wait for your emergency appointment, ask him or her what you can do to take care of yourself. In some cases, your dentist may instruct you to take an over-the-counter pain reliever or even prescribe a painkiller that can help you manage your discomfort until you can receive treatment.

Dental emergencies can result in life-threatening situations. An emergency dentist will prescribe painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics to reduce your symptoms and eliminate the infection. If you are experiencing dental pain or issues but don’t know if you should call an emergency dentist here are scenarios that do require emergency care.

• A Broken or Chipped Tooth

If you have a fractured or broken tooth the first recommendation is to rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the gums and help relieve pain. An emergency dentist can save the tooth if you bring the dislodged tooth with you to the visit.

• A Missing Crown

It may seem like a minor issue to lose a crown but that is a common dental emergency that requires fast treatment. If you notice that a crown is missing, head for our emergency dental office in Henderson NV to repair or replace the crown.

• Severe Toothache

Toothaches are another common reason that patients receive emergency dental services. A toothache may occur suddenly or slowly build over time. This issue shouldn’t be ignored until your next check-up because it could be the cause of a more concerning issue.

• Gums That Bleed Easily

If your gums start to bleed you need an emergency dentist to examine the area for signs of a larger issue.

• Knocked-Out or Removed Tooth

An abscessed tooth due to a fall or forceful damage to your teeth is a dental emergency that should require immediate treatment. It is possible to save your tooth by storing it in a container full of milk and bringing the tooth with you to the dentist.

• Exposed Nerves

An exposed nerve in your tooth will require a visit to the emergency dentist because it is usually one of the most painful issues. The Emergency dentists can apply desensitizing medication or fluoride gels to the gum area and treat any gum disease to help reduce the pain and cause of the exposed nerve.