Dental Emergencies and the Role of an Emergency Dentist
HealthDental emergencies can occur at any time, and patients in need of immediate oral care often turn to emergency dentists. These professionals are specially trained to handle and treat dental issues that require urgent attention, such as severe tooth pain or a chipped or broken tooth. They also provide other emergency services such as removing teeth, treating infections, and repairing or replacing broken dental appliances.
Emergency Dentist: When to Seek Urgent Dental Care
A dental emergency can be any condition that causes immediate and significant pain, discomfort, or injury to the mouth. Common dental emergencies include broken crowns or bridges, chipped teeth, and damaged dentures. Patients may also experience dental emergencies due to accidents or injuries, such as a blow to the face that causes cracked or chipped teeth, or by chewing on hard objects that break a tooth.
In addition to providing treatment for dental problems, emergency dentists can offer advice and guidance on preventive dental practices to promote good oral health. They also educate patients about how to manage dental emergencies, such as at home treatments for tooth pain and ways to protect a chipped or broken tooth until they can get to a dentist.
Patients need to understand the difference between a dental emergency and a medical emergency. A medical emergency is a situation that requires immediate medical attention, such as bleeding that won’t stop, severe jaw pain, or a medical condition that affects the mouth such as trigeminal nerve neuralgia, diabetes, or heart attacks (pain on the left side of the mouth). It is recommended that patients who experience a dental emergency seek medical help rather than waiting for a regular office appointment.…