You discover damage to a tooth, or you have a toothache – do you call an emergency dentist, or do you wait it out to see your regular dentist? The truth of the matter is that situations vary and knowing when you should skip that call for a regular appointment in favor of an emergency appointment can mean the difference between saving your tooth or suffering worse damage.
If you’ve had an accident that has resulted in a tooth being knocked out or knocked loose from the mouth, it’s certainly time to call an emergency dentist for an emergency appointment. When handling the tooth, only handle it by the crown, not the root, and rinse the tooth with warm water as soon as possible. You can place the tooth in a small container of milk or another tooth preservation liquid while waiting for and on your way to your emergency dental appointment.
If a filling or crown is lost, the tooth underneath is highly susceptible to damage or infection. A lost filling or crown may happen, particularly if the material has been placed many years ago, but an emergency dentist can help to restore the tooth in a healthy and safe way. Should this occur, first clean the area gently and thoroughly, then apply over the counter dental cement to the tooth while you make an appointment with your emergency dentist.
Dental abscesses are one of the most painful oral health issues a person can experience. The first sign of an abscess is an often very painful pimple-like growth on your gums, which may be found near to a cavity, a crown, a broken tooth, or where an injury has occurred. If left untreated, the abscess is not only going to grow more painful, but it can also potentially lead to a life-threatening infection. If you suspect you may have a dental abscess, you can rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution to aid in some pain relief, and you should place an immediate call to an emergency dentist for an assessment appointment. In some cases, a problem tooth may need to be extracted and later placed with a dental implant once the infection has been successfully eliminated.