Whether it’s an agonizing toothache, a knocked-out or cracked tooth, or a dental injury, emergencies need to be treated promptly to avoid severe complications. In this blog post, we will explore what  emergency dental care is all about and how you can best seek treatment if you are faced with any of these situations.

Not every dental problem is an emergency, and it can sometimes be difficult to tell if your symptoms require immediate attention or can be delayed until you see your regular dentist. A common question we hear is, “Does my toothache qualify as a dental emergency?” In most cases, if the pain is severe and persistent it should be regarded as a dental emergency. However, other conditions such as tumors, trigeminal nerve neuralgia or diabetes can also cause pain in the jaw and should be referred to a medical professional as soon as possible.

While dental emergencies are usually a result of physical injuries or untreated oral health problems, they can also occur due to medical issues such as a heart attack or stroke. While you should always call your dentist if you think you are experiencing a dental emergency, the time it takes to be seen in an emergency room can be significant. For this reason, it is important to seek emergency dental care as soon as you can.

When you visit an emergency dentist, they will first focus on assessing and diagnosing the condition. They will examine the affected area, taking into account any pain or discomfort you are experiencing as well as evaluating any other related signs and symptoms. After a thorough evaluation, they will determine the best course of treatment to alleviate your pain and prevent further damage to your teeth or surrounding structures. This may include treatments such as tooth extractions, root canal therapy or repairing chipped and broken teeth.

After providing the necessary treatments, emergency dentists will also provide post-treatment instructions to ensure that you can care for your teeth until you are able to return to your regular dental practice for follow up care. They will likely recommend that you avoid eating hard foods, chewing on the side of your mouth or biting down on anything that could cause further damage to your teeth and surrounding tissues.

While a dental emergency can happen to anyone, there are several ways that you can prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place. By following proper oral hygiene practices, scheduling regular appointments with your dentist and avoiding certain foods and drinks, you can significantly lower your risk of a dental emergency in the future.