Many dental practices keep time in their schedules set aside for emergency patients. Some even provide a special phone number for their patients to call in case of an emergency.
However, not all cases of pain and swelling are considered emergencies. It’s important to know when it is best to see an emergency dentist Woodville.
Toothache
A persistent, unexplained toothache is a serious problem that requires immediate attention. The pain may be caused by a dental infection or the presence of an abscessed tooth. In such cases, it is often necessary to undergo root canal treatment. It is also important to seek emergency dentist care if a patient loses a filling, crown, or other dental restoration.
A sharp pain that accompanies a fever is another reason for a patient to seek emergency dental services. It is usually a sign of a systemic infection that may be spreading to the gums and other parts of the mouth.
Bleeding that does not stop is another reason to visit an emergency dentist. While bleeding in the head or mouth is often not a cause for concern, it can be very dangerous if it occurs as a result of a blow to the face or mouth.
Damaged Braces or Wires
If you have braces, you probably know that they are designed to push and pull your teeth into their correct positions. It works best if all the individual parts are lined up just right so that they don’t rub against each other too much or move in unexpected ways. If a bracket or wire is broken or otherwise out of place, that can disrupt this process and cause pain.
An emergency dentist Woodville can help you with this problem by replacing the broken bracket or wire so that your treatment progresses smoothly. They can also advise you on how to avoid this kind of trouble in the future by observing proper hygiene practices and avoiding unhealthy habits like nail biting and teeth grinding.
It’s not always easy to tell when a problem with your orthodontics is an emergency that requires immediate attention, so be sure to follow your orthodontist’s aftercare instructions closely. If a wire breaks and is poking into your cheek or gum, try gently tucking it back inside its bracket or tube. If that’s not possible, you can cut it off with a pair of small wire cutters or nail scissors. You can also put a little dental wax on the end to protect your gums and cheek from the sharp tip until you see your orthodontist for a wire replacement.
Dental Abscess
An abscessed tooth or gum infection can be very painful and is a serious dental emergency that requires immediate treatment. The infection may spread to other parts of the body via blood and cause a life-threatening situation, so patients must get to an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
A tooth abscess occurs when bacteria enter the tip of a tooth’s root or into gum tissues. The bacteria can then cause a pus-filled swelling, which is called an abscess. Untreated tooth decay, a cracked or chipped tooth, gum disease, or trauma to the mouth causes tooth abscesses.
The main symptom of a tooth abscess is severe pain and swelling that causes a swollen jaw. Other symptoms include fever, drooling, a swollen tongue, trismus, and a general feeling of being unwell. If a patient has any of these symptoms, they should seek emergency dental care immediately.
An emergency dentist Woodville can treat the infection and relieve the pressure from the abscess by draining it. They will cut into the abscess and let the pus drain before cleaning the area with saline. An emergency dentist can also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and stop it from spreading to other areas of the body. They may also refer the patient to a doctor who can treat the underlying health problem.
Bleeding
Typically, a patient is considered to have a dental emergency when they experience pain in the mouth or the jaw and cannot wait for an appointment to see their dentist. In addition, some patients may be considered to have a dental emergency if they have suffered from a medical incident that has affected the health of their teeth, mouth or surrounding structures.