What is Emergency Dentist?

There are many situations that can lead to a dental emergency. They can be caused by a fall, a slip on a slick surface, or a blow. The most common cause is sports-related. When you have a sudden problem with your teeth, jaw, or face, you need an emergency dentist.

In most cases, the sooner you see an emergency dentist, the more likely it will be that the tooth can be saved. Ideally, you want to go to the dentist within an hour or two at most, but some situations can wait longer.

The timing is most important when a tooth has been completely knocked out. Most of the time a child's tooth cannot and will not be put back in place.

An adult tooth may be re-implanted if you see an emergency dentist within the two-hour window. You can pick up the tooth, but do not touch the roots. Rinse it briefly and try to implant it. If you can't, have the person gently bite down on it to keep it in place, or, put it in milk, or in water with some salt.

When you have a tooth that has cracked you want to immediately rinse your mouth with warm water to make sure the area is clean of food particles. You may need to use a cold compress on your face to control any swelling.

When you have a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water to remove food particles that may be involved. Use dental floss to try and dislodge any food particles that may be caught between your teeth. Do not put the medicine on the gums or the tooth – it may cause burns.

If you believe that your jaw is broken, you need to place cold compresses on it to reduce any swelling. You need to seek treatment immediately.

If you think you might have an abscessed tooth, you do not want to put it off. The infection can cause serious problems, and may even become life-threatening. Get to a dentist within a day or two. If it is an abscess, you will need to have a root canal. These are conducted by an oral surgeon or an endodontist.

Bleeding from inside the mouth, when it is caused by a puncture wound, a tear or a laceration, is considered a dental emergency. Rinse the mouth quickly with warm water. If necessary, apply pressure to stop the bleeding and get to an oral surgeon quickly.

If you need to treat yourself for pain before you get to the dentist, you can take acetaminophen. Do not take aspirin because it is an anticoagulant (blood thinner).

Many times, dental emergencies can be avoided by taking a couple of advance steps. If you play sports, wearing a mouth guard can save you from serious injuries to the mouth. Another important step is to make regular dental visits for cleaning and treatment. This will enable the dentist to spot developing problems and treat them before becoming more serious.

If you are going to be traveling, see your dentist before leaving to ensure your teeth are healthy. This can help ensure your trip is fun and hopefully will be without a need for emergency dental services.

When teeth are chipped, the dentist may attempt to reattach the pieces. If a filling has fallen out, or a crown has come loose, the dentist can repair it. A crown may be able to be reattached – if you have it. When a filling falls out, or a tooth is chipped, it becomes more susceptible to developing a cavity.

In the event a tooth has become knocked out, the dentist will decide whether or not it can be replanted. If it can, a tooth splint may also be applied to ensure that it is stable and can heal without problems. Other dental options may need to be considered if it cannot be replanted, such as dental implants.

Every dental emergency is different. The time needed for recovery will depend on the nature of the injury. The dentist or oral surgeon will provide instructions as to what kind of care is needed after the treatment. Some situations will require follow-up appointments and care at home. If additional care is needed from other medical professionals, a referral can be made.

By eating healthy foods, your teeth can be kept stronger. This will help prevent fractures or cracking, and will also help gums to be more resistant to gum disease – which can make teeth loose.

Getting treatment from an emergency dentist offers several benefits. They include:

• Saving a tooth – or teeth
• Professional evaluation and treatment
• Treatment for pain
• Less expensive than the Emergency Room

When you need emergency dental care and are looking for an emergency dentist or oral surgeon that is capable of providing urgent dental care, you need to see Kumar T. Vadivel, DDS, FDS RCS, MS. He is a periodontist and an oral surgeon. You can contact him just by clicking the number on this screen, or you can book an appointment online.