If you’re experiencing an actual emergency and need emergency dental services, you must take care of your issue immediately. However, it can be difficult to determine if you have a dental emergency or if you can wait until your next appointment to see your dentist.
Severe dental problems require immediate treatment to prevent any further damage. If you have a serious issue and are wondering what to do, the first step is to go to the emergency room or see an emergency dentist at Lovett Dental Jersey Village. Learn how to identify a dental emergency and what to do in such a situation.
How You Can Tell if You’re Having a Dental Emergency
While dental pain is common, not every situation is an emergency. To help you decide whether or not your current issue is such a situation, it’s helpful to analyze the level of pain and the state of your mouth.
If you’re in severe pain and you’re bleeding, these are signs that you need emergency help. Additionally, if you’ve lost teeth, you’ll need to take immediate action to save your tooth. If any of your teeth are loose, you’ll need to contact your doctor immediately as adult teeth should never be loose.
Another sign of a dental emergency is an infection or abscess. If you notice signs of either in your mouth, you need to take immediate action as an infection can be life-threatening. Swelling or knots around the gums are a good indication of an oral infection.
What Do I Do if I Have a Dental Emergency?
Contacting an emergency dentist at Lovett Dental Jersey Village’s general dentistry is the first thing to do if you are experiencing severe pain or bleeding or if a tooth has fallen out. These types of dentists are available on the weekend and even at all hours of the day. Visiting the emergency room or an urgent care clinic is another option in a dental emergency.
Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are those that will seriously affect your oral health if they aren’t treated immediately. Dental emergencies like a knocked-out tooth are common injuries. If you act quickly following the injury, an emergency dentist can save your tooth and even provide cosmetic dentistry services.
If something knocks your tooth out, make sure to pick the tooth up by the top or crown and avoid touching the root. Rinse the tooth and reinsert it in the socket if possible. If not, put your tooth in milk and get to an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
A chipped or cracked tooth is also important to treat as quickly as possible. In this situation, use warm water to clean your mouth, using a cold compress to reduce swelling.
An abscessed tooth is another life-threatening emergency that needs treatment immediately. Should the infection spread to the jaw or any surrounding tissue, it can cause death. If you’re experiencing an abscessed tooth, rinse out your mouth with salt water as it will help to alleviate the pus and reduce pain.
Avoiding Dental Emergencies
While you can’t always avoid emergencies, if you are proactive with your dental appointments, teeth cleanings, and proper oral hygiene, you can make your teeth less susceptible to urgent situations. During your dental visits, your dentist will be able to assess your oral health and treat any potential problems. With a custom treatment plan, your dentist can help prevent these issues from turning into emergencies.
Learn More About Dental Emergencies at Lovett Dental Jersey Village
Make sure your dental health always comes first by taking immediate action in the event of an emergency. Emergency dentists can provide the life-saving treatment you need to keep your injuries from getting worse. Contact Lovett Dental in Jersey Village at 281-890-5002 to learn more about treating emergencies and protecting your oral health.