Knowing what a dental emergency is is can make all the difference when looking for immediate dental care. You may be in pain and need an appointment as soon as possible. Find out more about dental emergency conditions and why they need immediate care. Additionally, contact Lovett Dental Conroe if you have any questions about dental emergencies.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
Any problem that requires treatment to lessen or eliminate severe pain is a dental emergency. Saving a tooth or having to stop bleeding are also signs of dental emergencies. If you have severe pain or a tooth has fallen out or a tooth is loose, it requires emergency dental services even if it is not painful.
Knocked-out teeth require you to visit the dentist within two hours, especially if you have the tooth and want it re-implanted. Quick action can save the tooth, even if you cannot put it back in the socket. The bleeding should stop within 10 minutes. If it does not, you should see the dentist or visit an emergency room. Additionally, if you have a knocked-out tooth, call the dentist immediately for an emergency visit.
If you are not in pain, you might feel strange calling the dentist for an appointment for something that may not be an emergency. However, it is better to call to find out before an issue worsens, especially if an infection is a possibility.
An Infection Requires Immediate Care
If you have a tooth with an abscess and may require a root canal, you should get treatment immediately. The pain results from an infection, which can become life-threatening, and you should not delay treatment. If you are experiencing swelling in your gums and facial swelling, these are signs of an emergency issue.
An abscess can cause a fever as well as make you more sensitive to hot or cold drinks. You may have a persistent toothache, and your face may be swollen. Pimple-like bumps on the gums and swollen lymph nodes in the neck near the infected tooth may also be signs of an abscess and should receive immediate attention.
The emergency dentist may perform the initial stage of the root canal by opening the tooth and allowing it to drain, relieving the pressure and pain. Then, they can refer you to an endodontist for regular root canal treatment.
How Do You Know You Are Having A Dental Emergency?
An issue that requires stopping bleeding, alleviating severe pain, or saving a tooth is a dental emergency. Severe infections that can be life-threatening are also considered an emergency, and you should see a dentist right away.
A cracked or chipped tooth might be an emergency that requires an immediate dental visit. Ice packs are helpful if there is swelling on your face. If the chipped tooth is not hurting, you might be able to wait several days before seeing the dentist. However, a loose tooth means that you should see the dentist for an emergency visit, as it may call for a splint next to the adjacent tooth for stability.
Some of the other services Lovett Dental Conroe offers include:
- Dental sealants
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental X-rays
- Nightguards
- Teeth Cleaning
These and other services prevent dental problems so that they do not become emergencies later down the road. Taking regular care of your teeth will help you avoid emergency treatment. However, if you do have an emergency, there is help available. Call Lovett Dental Conroe at 936-760-2400 for emergency dental care for yourself or your child. Do not let the fear of the dentist stop you from a call that could make you more comfortable, prevent infection, and get you on the road to better dental health.
