If you have ever asked yourself, “When should I visit the emergency dentist?” we want to help you decide. Visiting the dentist when you need to can be a matter of the life and death of your tooth. We believe it is important to save as many of your natural teeth as possible to preserve your dental structure, to keep your mouth in good health, and to help you avoid large bills later for dental replacements. Continue reading to learn more about the most important times to visit an emergency dentist.
Toothache: A toothache is one of the most common reasons people visit an emergency dentist. This is a good reason. If you have a tooth that has been aching for more than two days, even after rinsing with warm water and avoiding hard foods, you should see an emergency dentist. If there is swelling in your mouth around the tooth or any pus excretion, you could have a tooth abscess. If you do not have a tooth abscess, you could have a severe cavity and/or be in need a root canal treatment.
Knocked-out Tooth: A knocked-out tooth is another common reason to visit an emergency dentist. Over 5 million children and adults lose teeth each year. As you can see, it is a common occurrence that leaves many people with the need for dental replacements. If you lose a tooth, rinse it with water and preserve it by placing it back into the socket or in a container of milk. Don’t disrupt any of the roots or tissues attached to it. The most successful re-implantations occur when patients bring in the knocked-out tooth within an hour of it falling out. An emergency dentist can help!
Partially Knocked-out Tooth: Like a knocked-out tooth, partially knocked-out teeth need to be seen by an emergency dentist immediately. At this stage, your tooth can be saved, but it needs to happen as soon as possible for the best chance.
Chipped Tooth: If you have chipped or cracked your tooth and it is causing discomfort, visit an emergency dentist. If you have to ask yourself, “When should I visit the emergency dentist?” following a cracked or chipped tooth, it means you should visit immediately. Until you get to our office, keep the area free of swelling with a cold compress. This will also help with discomfort. If a chipped or cracked tooth isn’t fixed, it can lead to severe cavities.
Lost Filling or Crown: Since fillings and crowns protect your tooth from decay, if they fall out, your tooth is left vulnerable to more decay and discomfort. Keep the crown and bring it with you to the emergency dentist in case it can be re-adhered to your tooth. If you can slip the crown back on until you visit our office, do so, but try not to damage it.
These are a few reasons you should not ask yourself, “When should I visit the emergency dentist?” but rather just come right in. Don’t risk losing your teeth or gaining a bigger infection because you didn’t visit the dentist immediately a
If you have ever asked yourself, “When should I visit the emergency dentist?” we want to help you decide. Visiting the dentist when you need to can be a matter of the life and death of your tooth. We believe it is important to save as many of your natural teeth as possible to preserve your dental structure, to keep your mouth in good health, and to help you avoid large bills later for dental replacements. Continue reading to learn more about the most important times to visit an emergency dentist.
Toothache: A toothache is one of the most common reasons people visit an emergency dentist. This is a good reason. If you have a tooth that has been aching for more than two days, even after rinsing with warm water and avoiding hard foods, you should see an emergency dentist. If there is swelling in your mouth around the tooth or any pus excretion, you could have a tooth abscess. If you do not have a tooth abscess, you could have a severe cavity and/or be in need a root canal treatment.
Knocked-out Tooth: A knocked-out tooth is another common reason to visit an emergency dentist. Over 5 million children and adults lose teeth each year. As you can see, it is a common occurrence that leaves many people with the need for dental replacements. If you lose a tooth, rinse it with water and preserve it by placing it back into the socket or in a container of milk. Don’t disrupt any of the roots or tissues attached to it. The most successful re-implantations occur when patients bring in the knocked-out tooth within an hour of it falling out. An emergency dentist can help!
Partially Knocked-out Tooth: Like a knocked-out tooth, partially knocked-out teeth need to be seen by an emergency dentist immediately. At this stage, your tooth can be saved, but it needs to happen as soon as possible for the best chance.
Chipped Tooth: If you have chipped or cracked your tooth and it is causing discomfort, visit an emergency dentist. If you have to ask yourself, “When should I visit the emergency dentist?” following a cracked or chipped tooth, it means you should visit immediately. Until you get to our office, keep the area free of swelling with a cold compress. This will also help with discomfort. If a chipped or cracked tooth isn’t fixed, it can lead to severe cavities.
Lost Filling or Crown: Since fillings and crowns protect your tooth from decay, if they fall out, your tooth is left vulnerable to more decay and discomfort. Keep the crown and bring it with you to the emergency dentist in case it can be re-adhered to your tooth. If you can slip the crown back on until you visit our office, do so, but try not to damage it.
These are a few reasons you should not ask yourself, “When should I visit the emergency dentist?” but rather just come right in. Don’t risk losing your teeth or gaining a bigger infection because you didn’t visit the dentist immediately after an accident.
