It can be difficult to know the difference between a dental emergency that requires immediate attention and a regular tooth ache that may simply require scheduling a dental appointment later this week. First off, if you or your child is experiencing any dental pain, we recommend making an appointment. Even if the pain goes away, the dental pain may be a sign of a larger oral health problem, and the sooner you can catch that, the better. In terms of dental emergencies here are a few examples of dental emergencies that require immediate attention.
If you or your child loses an adult tooth (permanent tooth) there are a few things you need to do. First things first, make an emergency dental appointment right away. You should also follow the following steps to potentially save the tooth.
1. Find the tooth. If treated quickly, dentists can actually place your tooth back in your mouth. So the first thing you should do is find the lost tooth, and pick it up by the crown (avoid touching the root). You will then want to rinse the tooth in a saline solution.
2. Place the tooth back in the socket or in a sterile solution. After sterilizing the tooth you can place it back in the socket and hold it in place using gauze or a clean washcloth as you travel to the emergency dentist. Alternatively, you can keep the tooth in a saline solution and bring it with you to the dentist.
3. If possible your emergency dentist may recommend re-implanting the tooth. However, if re-implanting is not possible, your dentist will recommend other restorative techniques.
Never hesitate to call if you or your child is experiencing a dental emergency. Our team of dentists and hygienists want to make sure that everyone in the Lewiston area has access to an emergency dentist that can quickly and effectively address any emergency issues.
My 6 year old daughter has been attending Joy Dentistry for a year. She loves her hygienist Jen. She relates really well to her. She explains what she is doing to my daughter in language she will understand. Great place for children.
A dental emergency is any dental issue that needs immediate attention. The two most common types of dental emergencies are damage to the teeth and gums, and damage to dental implements like crowns, bridges, implants, and fillings. It should be noted that a dental emergency is different from a medical emergency. If an injury presents life threatening symptoms or affects more than just gum and tooth health, you need to call 911 or head immediately to an emergency room at a local hospital.
A leaking filling refers to a symptom where liquid gets inbetween a filling and the tooth. When a filling is first created it is perfectly fitted to the remainder of the tooth after the cavity was removed. But over the course of a few months or years it is possible for decay to return, especially if you skip dental visits and avoid brushing and flossing. This leads to the tooth eroding while the filling stays the same size and shape. This can create a pocket around the filling. When this happens, a filling can feel loose, or liquid can suddenly drip out from under the filling. If this happens you should see a dentist to have the filling replaced.
The most common reason to have an emergency root canal is because of obvious and usually painful symptoms. Severe toothache, swelling, or soreness that is localized to an area of your mouth are all signs that there is an infection that is affecting the root of the tooth. Without treatment the infection can worsen and eventually lead to tooth loss. The best solution is an emergency root canal at the dental office.
In some cases, a tooth can be reinserted into the mouth. However, this isn’t always th case. When a tooth is knocked out, a patient needs to get to the dentist within in an hour for the tooth to be put back in. In the meantime, the patient should try and keep the tooth in their mouth either against their cheek or in the socket. If this is not possible due to the injury. It is recommended that the tooth is placed in saline or milk. Some first aid kits have tooth saving kits, that include saline designed to protect a tooth while in transit.
Often a toothache is an emergency. Toothaches often arise due to underlying issues like infection or dental decay. If a toothache is localized to one area, severe, or consistent, these are all signs that you probably have a deeper oral issue. You should never ignore what your body is telling you. If you have a toothache, you should see a dentist as soon as possible.