When Should I See An Emergency Dentist?
There are a variety of injuries that might require an immediate dental appointment. If you are unable to chew do to excessive pain, there is constant bleeding, or there was damage to a crown, bridge, or implant, you should not wait to see a dentist. In this article we will cover the types of dental emergencies and when/where to make an appointment. In some cases, you should see a dentist same-day, whereas in other cases you might be able to make an appointment in the upcoming days.
Should I Go To An Emergency Dentist Or The Emergency Room?
The first and most important thing we need to discuss is the difference between a dental emergency and other medical emergencies. If an injury is life-threatening you should call 911 or immediately go to the emergency room. For instance, if other bones are broken in an injury, there is excessive bleeding, or there are non-dental concerns (i.e. a concussion), you should rely on emergency medical services.
In situations where the injury is localized to the mouth like a broken tooth, lost filling, or severe oral pain, you should go to an emergency dentist. A dentist is more equipped to handle dental-related issues.
Reasons to Make An Immediate Dental Appointment
A knocked out tooth is the number 1 reason to make an emergency dental visit. Here is what you should do if you or someone you know has knocked out an adult tooth:
- Call A Dentist: Find a local emergency dentist near you and set up an appointment.
- Tend To Bleeding: If you are bleeding; you should clean out your mouth with warm water and use gauze or a clean cloth to stop the bleeding.
- Recover The Tooth: Knocked out teeth can be re-implanted in certain circumstances. If you can locate the tooth you should pick it up by the crown (the portion of the tooth that was outside of the gums). Do not touch the root. You can use warm water to rinse off any dirt or other debris. The tooth should be kept in either a saline solution, milk, or (if possible) the person’s mouth while on the way to the dentist.
In situations where you are feeling severe dental pain or a toothache, you should make an appointment as soon as possible. That tooth ache could be a sign of an underlying problem like an abscessed tooth. A dentist can help alleviate the pain and treat the cause. Even if the pain is bearable, you shouldn’t wait for your next regular check-up. Any persistent oral pain can be a sign of a larger issue.
If you lose a filling, damage a dental bridge, crown, or implant, you will want to see a dentist right away. If there is any blood, you should use gauze or a clean cloth to stop the bleeding while on the way to the dentist. In the meantime, anti-pain medications like Aspirin can be used to decrease pain prior to your dental visit.
Dental Issues That You Should Be Aware Of:
In many situations you might experience a dental issue that might not call for an emergency appointment. However, if you experience these issues you also shouldn’t wait for your next regular checkup. When you have any of the following symptoms you should consider making a quick appointment with a dentist to help address them.
If you notice a level of pain that is consistent or sensitivity to hot/cold foods, this might be a sign of enamel damage. Enamel is the outermost layer of our teeth and it can become damaged from acidic and sugary foods/beverages. As it gets damaged an individual may start to notice pain or sensitivity in their teeth. If you are experiencing this consistently, consider going to a dentist to have a professional cleaning and discuss dental treatments that can help improve your oral health.
If your gums bleed when you brush and floss this may be a cause for concern. While in some cases bleeding can happen because you may have been too aggressive with your brushing and flossing, it can also be a sign of gum disease. Gingivitis is one of the most common health issues among Americans. If gum diseases go unchecked they can cause real health concerns for your teeth. If you experience frequent bleeding when brushing and flossing you might want to make a quick dental appointment to discuss it with your dentist.
If your dental crown, implant, or bridge feels strange/different or is potentially loose you should not wait for a regular checkup to come around. You should call your dentist and ask to have it repaired before it falls out or breaks. A broken crown can cause pain and can put your exposed tooth at risk of more damage. If you notice a strange feeling around your bridges, crowns, or other dental components make sure to call your dentist.
Dental Services in Lewiston Maine
We offer restorative, general, and cosmetic dental services to our patients in Lewiston and the surrounding towns. If you have a question about any of our dental procedures or about your own oral health, we would be happy to answer it and set up an appointment. Use the button below to get in touch with our team: