Any pilot will tell you that the worst time to fix a plane is when it’s already in the air, when the stakes are highest. In a similar vein, the worst time to try and learn more about a dental emergency is while you’re dealing with one.
For that reason, it’s important to understand as much as you can about dental emergencies and how you treat them. With that in mind, here is a guide to some of the most common ones you’re likely to deal with.
Pulpitis
Pulpitis is a bacterial infection that has reached the inside of the tooth and is attacking the root pulp, causing severe discomfort. In short, it’s a toothache—more specifically, one caused by an infection.
In many cases, pulpitis can be treated with a root canal. However, in some situations, removing the afflicted tooth may be necessary.
Dental Abscesses
Dental abscesses are small, painful lumps that are caused by disease. In some situations they can cause severe swelling around the area, and often involve pus discharge from the abscess itself.
Treating an abscess involves not only addressing the bump itself, but also mitigating the infection that caused it. This may entail a round of antibiotics alongside a deep periodontal cleaning. Of course, your mouth will be numbed for this procedure.
Lost Tooth
If you’ve had a tooth fall out, it’s often possible to put it back provided that the tooth is in otherwise good health. You should find the tooth and rinse it gently with water, holding the enamel so as not to damage the root. Then place the tooth back in its socket or, if you prefer, in a glass of milk.
Then, call your dentist and ask for an emergency appointment. The faster you act, the greater the likelihood that they’ll be able to secure the tooth back in place.
Broken Dental Work
If you break a crown, bridge, denture, or any other kind of restoration, set it aside and call your dentist. They’ll schedule you an emergency appointment and will advise you on what kinds of repairs are possible. In some circumstances, the damage may leave the restoration beyond repair, meaning that you’ll have to replace it.
About Our Practice
At Dental Distinction, we make it a point to do as much as we possibly can for our patients. We make our wait times as short as possible, schedule our appointments as soon as we can, and tailor all of our treatment to each of our patients’ unique oral health situation. You can guarantee that all the treatment you get from us will be perfectly suited to you, meaning that you’ll get an oral healthcare experience unlike what you’d find anywhere else.
If you have any questions about dental emergencies, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (972) 423-3322.