The best way to avoid dental emergencies is through preventative care, including regular checkups and avoidance of harmful habits like nail biting. However, sometimes unforeseen dental situations occur that necessitate Emergency Dentist Las Vegas.
Knowing when to seek emergency dental can help patients save time and money by preventing long-term complications from untreated dental problems. In the event of a dental emergency, the most important thing is to remain calm and take the following steps:
Tooth pain is one of the most common reasons people seek emergency dental care. Although toothaches are often the result of a temporary issue like an impacted food particle or an untreated cavity, they can also be signs of more serious problems like an infection or a dislodged or fractured tooth. Regardless of the cause, a toothache that persists should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible to prevent complications.
A toothache is considered a dental emergency when it lasts for more than two days, wakes you up at night, or can’t be managed with over-the-counter painkillers. You should also seek immediate attention if the pain is accompanied by facial swelling, excessive bleeding or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Generally speaking, you should avoid putting aspirin or other painkillers on a painful tooth to prevent burns to the gum tissue. Instead, rinse your mouth with warm water and use floss to remove wedged foods from the tooth. You can also apply a cold compress or ice bag wrapped in a cloth to help control the pain until you can reach a dentist.
If you have a knocked-out tooth, the best chance of saving it is to visit a dentist within an hour of its loss. Your dentist will place the tooth back in its socket and may use dental cement to help secure it. If you are unable to get to the dentist immediately, place the tooth between your cheek and gums and cover it with a clean, moist cloth.
A lost filling or cracked veneer can sometimes wait until the next day, depending on how severe the symptoms are and how long you can comfortably wait to see your dentist. However, if you’re dealing with bleeding that won’t stop, severe pain, a jaw that’s locked open or a facial swelling you can’t get rid of, call your dentist for instructions or go to an emergency room.
Tooth fractures are another common emergency that can be treated by an emergency dentist. These are most often caused by impact, like biting down on a hard object or taking a blow to the head. In some cases, however, a broken tooth can be due to severe decay that weakens the tooth’s structure.
A broken tooth can range from a small chip to a cracked, split or even knocked out tooth. The severity of the damage will determine whether or not it warrants emergency treatment.
Knocked out teeth are particularly urgent, as they can cause significant pain and discomfort in the mouth and jaw area. In addition, they can lead to infection in the contiguous deep spaces of the neck and sinuses and even airway compromise. As such, it is important to visit an emergency dentist immediately after the accident occurs in order to prevent long-term complications and re-attach the tooth as best as possible.
Infections of the gums, a broken root, an abscess and a periapical ulcer are all examples of dental emergencies that need immediate treatment. These can become life-threatening if left untreated, and are typically accompanied by extreme pain and swelling.
Dental emergencies also include tooth loss and injuries to the lips, tongue and cheek. As these conditions can be incredibly painful and affect the ability to speak, eat, smile, or breathe, it is imperative that patients seek out an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
In some cases, however, it is not necessary to make an emergency trip to the dentist. Colgate(r) explains that minor tooth fractures, such as a chipped tooth, may not require an emergency dental visit. If the tooth does not hurt or cause any other issues, it is safe to wait until your next scheduled appointment.
When a patient has bleeding that won’t stop, is in excruciating pain, or is suffering from other problems that cannot wait for a dentist to see them later on, this is considered an emergency dental issue. Dental emergencies can be extremely painful and dangerous, so they must be treated promptly to prevent worsening symptoms. The best thing to do is contact the dentist’s office and ask for an emergency phone number or instructions. If the dentist’s office is closed, go to a nearby emergency room so they can provide immediate treatment and determine whether or not a dental visit is necessary.
Bleeding teeth can be caused by many different things, including tooth extractions, gum disease, and systemic diseases like cirrhosis or end-stage renal disease that affect hemostasis. It’s important to note that patients who have congenital coagulopathies, such as Hemophilia A and B, should seek dental care in conjunction with their hematologist for better management. Infections and trauma involving the face can also be considered dental emergencies, and these should always be treated by an emergency dentist to prevent complications.
If a patient is experiencing a toothache or has a chipped or broken tooth, the best course of action is to rinse the mouth with warm water and apply pressure to the area using a piece of gauze until the bleeding stops. It’s also important to avoid biting down on hard or crunchy foods, as this can cause a tooth to break or crack.
The best way to prevent dental emergencies is to practice good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups. Taking the time to brush and floss daily can reduce the likelihood of developing tooth decay, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Visiting an emergency dental will help ensure that any problems are diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. This will prevent future dental issues and help patients feel comfortable during any stressful dental situations. It is important to understand that not all dental emergencies are urgent, so it is helpful to know what the criteria for a dental emergency is so that you can identify the signs and symptoms of a dental emergency when you experience them.
Canker sores are small ulcers that form on the soft tissues inside your mouth. They usually start as a small bump and then grow into a white, gray, or yellow spot with a red border. The pain can be quite intense. They are not contagious, but they can irritate the tissue around them.
Sometimes a canker sore develops as a result of irritation from a toothbrush, dental work or an acidic diet. They are often more common in people who have a family history of canker sores. They can also be triggered by stress, certain foods, vitamin deficiencies and hormonal changes. They may also be a sign of more serious diseases like an autoimmune disorder or mouth cancer.
If your sores don’t get better after a few weeks, you should visit your emergency dentist. They will be able to provide you with a treatment that can help. They can also help you avoid irritants and make changes to your diet or brushing routine. You can try using toothpastes and mouthwashes that don’t contain SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) or avoid acidic foods.
You can also use topical treatments such as steroid gels or pastes that reduce inflammation and swelling. You can also rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide mixed with water or milk of magnesia. You can also take an over-the-counter antacid medication to help alleviate the pain.
Some people have very sensitive teeth, which can also cause canker sores. You should talk to your dentist about your tooth sensitivity and the causes of it.
Although canker sores aren’t serious, they can be very painful. If you are experiencing a swollen jaw with fever, a bad taste in your mouth, or trouble breathing or swallowing, then you should visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible. This could be a sign of a salivary gland infection. If this isn’t treated immediately, it could lead to an abscess or a blockage of the salivary glands which can cause a life-threatening infection. Swelling in the jaw can also be a sign of other health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease.