When you’re dealing with a dental issue, you should be calling your dentist as soon as possible. However, if you are dealing with a severe dental issue outside of regular dental office hours, you may need to seek emergency dental care near you. It is vital to understand the difference between a dental problem that can wait and a true dental emergency.
How to Know if This is a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies are fairly common; however, not every dental issue is a dental emergency. To determine if you can wait to be seen by a regular dentist or if you require emergency dental services, ask yourself the following questions:
• Are you in severe pain?
• Have you lost your tooth?
• Are any of your teeth loose?
• Do you have an abscess or infection?
• Are you bleeding from your mouth?
Generally, any dental issue that needs immediate attention to slow bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a loose or knocked-out tooth, is considered an emergency. This also applies to severe infections that are causing swelling or knots on your gums and can be life-threatening.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you may be experiencing a dental emergency. Call your dental office in Sherwood Park and describe your symptoms. They will be able to guide you on the best next steps.
Dental Problems That Aren’t Emergencies
Some dental problems can appear more serious and overwhelming than they truly are. For instance, a chipped tooth may seem like it requires emergency dentistry treatment. However, if your tooth is chipped but is not causing you pain, you can make an appointment with your dentist at a convenient time.
If you are experiencing a toothache, you may also wait for treatment as long as you’re not experiencing severe pain and you have not noticed any signs of an abscess, such as inflammation of your face or gums.
Common Dental Emergencies
Some common dental emergencies include:
A Knocked-Out Tooth: If your tooth gets knocked out, quick action is key. Carefully lift your tooth by the crown, and gently rinse it under warm water. If you can, reinsert the tooth into its socket and bite down on a paper towel until you can get to an emergency dentist near you.
Broken or Cracked Tooth: If you have a serious and painful fracture, clean your mouth with warm water, and press a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to aid with swelling. You may also take ibuprofen to ease the pain until you can get to a dentist.
Abscessed Tooth: This is a potentially life-threatening condition where a pocket of pus in your tooth has caused an infection. If this spreads, it can cause infection in your jaw and even your brain. Before visiting your dentist, rinse your mouth out with salt water to reduce pain and eliminate some of the pus.
Emergency Dentistry Services
The best way to prevent dental emergencies is by taking care of your teeth through good oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing. However, dental emergencies cannot always be avoided.
At Aspire smiles, we understand that a dental emergency can strike at any time. We are proud to offer top-quality emergency dentistry in Sherwood Park. If you feel that you are experiencing a dental emergency, please contact our clinic. Our team of dedicated dental professionals can guide you on the best way to handle your situation. If you are facing a dental emergency, please do not hesitate to come to our dental office today.