If you require an appointment for a dental filling or porcelain, the majority of dental procedures are pre-planned and dependent on appointment times. But there are some situations in which immediate dental treatment is required. For instance, if you or a loved one has excessive bleeding as a result of an injury to the mouth, this is an emergency, and must be addressed immediately. Dentists that specialize in providing immediate dental care in case of an injury or life-threatening dental issue are called emergency dentists. A lot of people don’t know what constitutes an emergency dental situation and when they should visit an emergency dental practitioner. If you are also wondering what an emergency dentist is then this article is written perfect for you. Continue reading to learn more about emergency dentistry.
What Do Emergency Dentists Do?
Emergency dentists are dentists who are, in addition to being dentists, also receive additional training and specialisation to address dental issues and injuries that may be possibly life-threatening and require urgent treatment. While dentists from other specialities are only available during business hours, many emergency dental practices are open 24 hours a day or at least have emergency hotline numbers available for patients to request an urgent appointment in case in an urgent situation.
What is a Dental Emergency, And What Is Not?
In the words of the Dental Association, any situation that could be life-threatening if not treated immediately is a dental emergency. For example, dental conditions with uncontrolled bleeding, severe infection, or extreme pain can be considered a dental emergency. On the other hand, cosmetic procedures like veneers and teeth whitening, are not considered essential. Thus, they’re not considered to be an emergency dental procedure.
What are the most common dental Emergencies?
The most frequent dental emergencies are however, they are not restricted to:
Inadequately controlled bleeding due to an accident or trauma
Infections of the mouth that are severe and extend to other body parts
Pericoronitis is a condition in which the soft tissues that surround the tooth that has been damaged become inflamed
Dry socket – an uncomfortable condition that is triggered by clot dislodgement following tooth extraction
Tooth fracture or chipped teeth that can cause pain
Teeth that have been knocked out
Crowns or fillings that have been dislodged.
Something stuck between two teeth
An unlodged orthodontic wire impacts on the oral soft tissues
Jaw fracture or dislocated
Severe toothache that is not relieved with pain medication
Tooth decay which causes tooth sensitivity
What is A Dental Emergency , but in reality Isn’t?
A broken orthodontic bracket could appear as a problem that demands urgent attention. But, it’s not. A damaged bracket could delay the treatment of your orthodontics a little but isn’t something to be concerned about. If you don’t accidentally inhale the bracket – a true emergency, you should wait until the next business day to repair the issue.
How Long Will A Tooth Abscess Wait For Treatment?
Dental abscesses form inside the oral cavity as a result of long-standing dental infection that causes pus-filled sludge to form in a small area. If the dental abscess remains localized, it will result in significant discomfort, pain as well as redness and swelling around the area. However, if the infection spreads to other body parts, it can constitute an emergency medical condition that can cause signs of the system like fatigue, fever and shortness of breath. If left untreated, an abscess could lead to a potentially fatal dental emergency. This is why an abscess needs to be treated as quickly as possible. The sooner the treatment is initiated and completed, the lower is the possibility of having side effects or complications.
What Is An Emergency Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal procedure is a procedure in which your dentist removes the inflamed pulp tissues within your mouth and replace it an inert material. An emergency root canal is generally required when there is there is an inflammation of dental pulp tissue creates pressure within the tooth, causing extreme pain and discomfort. In such situations, dentists usually drill into the tooth and expose the tooth’s interior that houses the pulp tissue, to ease pain and pressure. After an emergency treatment, next steps of the root canal procedure are carried out routinely.
What should I do if I need to contact an Emergency Dentist Reading?
If you believe that you or someone else in your family are in a position that requires immediate treatment such as bleeding, knocked-out , fractured or damaged tooth, or severe dental abscess pains, contact your emergency dentist immediately. If you’re experiencing an emergency after business hours or on the weekend, you can still call your dentist on the emergency hotline to get further guidance. If you’re not sure if it’s an emergency situation or not, it’s best to consult your dentist with them.
How Do You Determine If You Need Emergency Dental Work?
You may need emergency dental treatment if you have one of the following conditions:
Bleeding
The loss of function of the teeth
Difficulty in opening or closing the mouth
Severe toothache
Swelling that causes discomfort in breathing and fever.
Avulsed or broken teeth
How can an emergency dentist Help You?
An emergency dentist is skilled to deal with all sorts of dental emergencies, from fractured teeth to jaws dislocated. For example, if you have an avulsed tooth and you manage to see your dentist right away the dentist may be able to place the tooth back into its socket, so that it can re-attach. In the same way, your dentist might be able to fix a dislodged crown without having to repairs or replacement. It is therefore essential to see an emergency dentist as soon as possible when suffering from an injury or an emergency circumstance.
I Have A Dental Emergency. What should I do?
In the event of emergency, you should take steps to reduce the amount of damage. For example when you experience bleeding, put an unclean cloth over the affected area and gently press it against it to stop the bleeding. In the event that you have an avulsed tooth, you can try reinserting it into its socket. But, be careful not to use too much force if it does not sit properly in the socket. In the meantime, you must call your dentist immediately to make an emergency dentist appointment. If you’re not in town, make your way to a nearby emergency dentist office or an ER for an immediate appointment.
If you or your loved one suffers from dental emergencies in Reading and the surrounding areas, we’re here to help you immediately. If you’re suffering from severe bleeding from your tooth or from an injury we’ll fix it in no time. We also provide top-quality, non-urgent dental care to ensure you have a beautiful, healthy, and beautiful smile. So, if you’d like to have all your family’s dental needs taken care of all in one location, book a consultation with us today, and we will be delighted to handle any oral health concerns.