The mouth and jaw are delicate parts of the body that must be treated with care. Even with proper oral hygiene and regular visits, unforeseen dental issues can arise.
If a problem arises that you think is a dental emergency, it’s important to seek care immediately. Waiting too long can result in further complications and potentially irreversible damage. Contact Emergency Dental Las Vegas now!
When a toothache strikes, it can be difficult to know if you need emergency dental services or if the issue can wait until regular office hours. A dentist can ease the pain of a toothache by numbing the area, drilling into it to remove bacteria and then filling the tooth with a material such as composite resin or ceramic.
Tooth pain is caused by inflammation of the pulp, which contains nerve endings and is very sensitive to pressure and heat. The hard enamel that covers our teeth protects the pulp, but if it is damaged by trauma or decay, the nerves inside can become exposed and cause pain.
A toothache can often be alleviated with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, but when the pain is severe and unrelenting, it could be an indicator of an emergency dental situation. Other red flags that indicate you should seek immediate care include a fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or jaw, or pain that radiates to other parts of the head or mouth.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to get in contact with an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Your regular dentist should be able to schedule you for an appointment in the next available slot, and if they don’t have a slot free, they may refer you to a specialized clinic that can handle urgent situations. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm and call as soon as you start experiencing the symptoms, so they can provide prompt treatment to relieve your discomfort. This can help prevent further damage and even more pain in the future.
Tooth Extraction
If a tooth is in severe pain, an emergency dentist will likely perform a dental extraction. This is usually done under local anaesthetic, so the patient doesn’t feel the procedure. The dentist will usually break the tooth into smaller pieces, remove it with forceps and then stitch up the site using self-dissolving stitches. The dentist will also provide aftercare instructions.
An emergency dental extraction may be needed for a number of reasons. These include a cracked tooth that’s causing severe pain, a knocked out tooth that needs to be preserved or an infected root of the tooth that’s inflamed and infected.
Other cases that are considered a dental emergency and require immediate treatment include a dental fracture (which happens when the patient bites down on something hard), a dental abscess (an infection that forms at the root of the teeth) and a periodontal crisis (an extreme form of gum disease characterized by severe pain and swelling).
If you’re not sure whether your condition is an emergency, contact the dental office and explain what you’re experiencing. The office will help you decide if it’s time to come in for treatment. In addition to helping you with your dental issues, emergency dentistry services can also help you control bleeding, treat injuries and prevent complications. By taking the right steps, you can protect your oral health and ensure a radiant smile for years to come!
Broken Tooth
A broken tooth is considered a dental emergency and needs to be treated as soon as possible. If the break extends to the inner pulp, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth. Pain or discomfort while chewing, as well as sensitivity to hot or cold, are signs of a cracked or broken tooth. If the break is minor, your dentist may simply reattach the piece or fill the crack.
A common cause of a broken tooth is biting down too hard on food or sports equipment. If you are experiencing any symptoms of a broken tooth, rinse your mouth and apply a piece of gauze to stop any bleeding. If the pain is severe, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Try not to touch the broken part of the tooth, as this can damage the pulp inside and cause more pain.
If you have a broken tooth and cannot get to the dentist immediately, you can protect the exposed tissue with temporary dental cement found in most drugstores. You can also cover the area with a piece of dental wax to prevent it from cutting your tongue or cheek while you wait for an appointment.
Visiting an emergency dental clinic in is not on the top of anyone’s travel bucket list, but it is important to visit your dentist quickly if you have any tooth problems. Delaying treatment can lead to more expensive and invasive procedures, so call your dentist right away to set up an appointment. Depending on the severity of the problem, they may recommend that you come in right away or give you care instructions to follow until you can see them at a more convenient time.
Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth is an emergency dental situation because it can lead to severe complications like infection, if not treated quickly. This is because it creates pathways for bacteria to enter the inner tooth pulp, resulting in pain and swelling of the gum tissue. It also increases the sensitivity of your teeth to hot or cold, which can make eating and drinking painful and uncomfortable.
Minor chips don’t always require immediate attention from a dentist, but it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as possible. They may advise you to come in for treatment immediately or may instruct you to take certain measures at home until you can get to their office. You should rinse your mouth with warm water, spit out the piece of tooth if you can, and apply a moist gauze pad to stop bleeding. You should also take an over-the-counter pain reliever and a cold compress to reduce swelling.
If the chip is severe enough to expose your inner tooth pulp, you will need a root canal treatment to treat it and restore the health of your teeth. Otherwise, your dentist can repair the damaged area using porcelain veneers or composite bonding, depending on the severity of the chip. They can even provide you with a crown to replace the damaged part of your tooth and improve its appearance and function. It’s also crucial to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid habits that can cause weakened enamel, like grinding your teeth while you sleep. This is one of the leading causes of chipped teeth.
Infections
Dental infections can be very dangerous and are often considered to be emergency dental situations. When bacteria build up in a tooth, they can reach the nerve and cause pain, inflammation, and swelling. Left untreated, a spreading infection can destroy the bone around a tooth and lead to an abscess. In some cases, infections from the mouth can spread to the brain or bloodstream, which can be fatal. Infections are commonly caused by deep cavities that allow bacteria to enter the nerve, and they can also be triggered by gum disease or dental treatment procedures.
When a dental infection is localized and treated promptly, it rarely results in significant morbidity or mortality. Infections that are not diagnosed and managed promptly, however, can spread to the contiguous structures of the neck or mediastinum and facial sinuses, leading to life-threatening complications including airway compromise.
Infection control in dentistry is a top priority in the COVID-19 pandemic. To protect patients and dental professionals, all dentists should follow infection control practices, including using decontamination kits for toothbrushes, pens, and other tools. They should also be sure to use easily-decontaminated physical barriers to shield patients from direct contact with one another.
During the pandemic, all patients should follow proper oral hygiene techniques, get regular dental exams, and take antibiotics when needed to prevent infections. In addition, it is important to keep an eye on any changes to a patient’s mouth or jaw and to call your dentist immediately if you notice any signs of an infection. Taking these steps can help reduce your chances of experiencing a dental emergency and will allow you to stay healthy and happy. Until the pandemic is over, dental emergencies will continue to occur, but if you are prepared and know what to do, you can minimize the risks and minimize the pain.