How Quickly Can You Get Emergency Dental Treatment?

February 1, 2023

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is a sudden and unexpected event that threatens the life or function of the teeth or jaw. It’s not a routine dental problem that needs an appointment but rather an urgent situation requiring immediate attention from a professional who specializes in dentistry.

Common Dental Emergencies

You may require urgent dental care near you if you have these dental problems:

- Knocked out teeth

If a tooth is avulsed, it should be pushed back in place as soon as possible. This will help prevent infection and ensure that your dentist can repair the damage.

- Bleeding gums

Bleeding gums can be caused by soft tissue injury or gum disease. Brushing too hard or biting your tongue can lead to mild bleeding that clears with time, but if the bleeding is severe, you should visit your dentist.

- Abscess

An injury can cause an abscess to the gum or tooth, dental trauma, or infection.

If you have an abscess in your mouth, you’ll likely notice that it’s painful and tender to the touch. You may also notice swelling around the area where your tooth meets your gums (the gingival margin).

An abscess should be treated immediately to prevent further damage to nearby tissues and organs, such as nerves or blood vessels. Abscesses can spread beyond their original location into nearby tissue if left untreated, causing more severe health problems such as septicemia (blood poisoning).

- Cracked or broken tooth

If you think your tooth is cracked or broken, it’s essential to seek emergency dental treatment as soon as possible. The longer the tooth is broken and left untreated, the more likely it will need to be extracted.

- Toothache

Tooth pain could be a sign of an infection or decay in your teeth. Pain begins at the center of your gums and moves toward one side of your face (the cheek). Pain may also radiate into back teeth if they’re involved with an abscessed area on their root surfaces.

If this type of pain persists after brushing with salt water treatment, then there’s likely something more serious going on underneath those surfaces! The therapy may include filling the cavity and numbing your gums with an injection. In some cases, if you have a crack in one of your teeth, it can be filled with porcelain or gold crowns; this will prevent further damage from occurring as well as restore its appearance.

- Tooth Infection

Tooth infections are caused by bacterial infection and cause toothache and swelling of the face, neck, and jaw. These symptoms may also accompany fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Oral infections may spread to the throat or lungs causing serious problems if left untreated.

How Urgent is a Tooth Infection?

A tooth infection is severe and can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions. If you have symptoms of a tooth injury, such as burning, swelling, or sensitivity in your mouth, it’s essential to see an emergency dentist in North Branch immediately. The sooner you get treatment for an infected tooth and any associated pain or discomfort, the better off you’ll be.

How Do You Relieve Tooth Pain?

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, use the tips to ease the discomfort:

Try rinsing your mouth with warm water. This can help to remove any food or debris that may be irritating your tooth.

Use a cold compress to help reduce inflammation and pain. Apply a clean, damp cloth for 15-20 minutes.
Take a pain reliever if the pain is severe.
If the pain persists or is accompanied by fever, swelling, or redness, see your dentist immediately, as these could be signs of a more serious problem.