By Rakesh Rajpal

Many dental clinics designate time in their schedules to fit in emergency care. Emergency dentists, on the other hand, prioritize these urgent appointments. The objective is to assess the severity in order to stabilize the patient until they can see their dentist for follow-up.

An immediate response to an urgent concern is critical to help reduce pain, try to save teeth, and avoid potential complications. By having a reputable and quality clinic like Emergency Dental Pros to support urgent situations, you're assured favorable results.

A proactive approach to your dental care includes finding a trusted local emergency dental clinic for unexpected incidents or accidents that result in discomfort and pain or the potential for tooth loss. 

Let’s explore some reasons to seek the assistance of a professional emergency care dental provider.

Situations When You Need an Emergency Dentist

General wellness is impacted by dental health and well-being. Seeing a dentist regularly should be a priority, and having an emergency dental provider to support that care is vital as a proactive measure. 

One of the primary reasons for seeing an urgent-care dentist is having discomfort or pain. Dental pain develops for a number of reasons, whether a cavity develops, an infection or abscess, a broken tooth, and on. 

An emergency dental clinic specializes in urgent cases with the tools to stabilize you until a follow-up can be scheduled. These providers see patients immediately, whereas the individual may need to wait hours or days to schedule with their traditional dentist. 

They also offer guidance on prevention to avoid future incidents. Go to TRICARE Tips to Protect Your Teeth in a Dental Emergency > TRICARE Newsroom > TRICARE News - for proactive tips to preserve oral health in a dental emergency. Here are a few reasons to visit your emergency dental clinic.

Prevent tooth loss

A tooth can become loose for numerous reasons or be knocked out following an accident. Tooth loss is a traumatic incident that leaves many people unsure what to do. Many don’t realize that it’s possible for an urgent-care dental clinic to reattach the tooth.

Reimplantation, however, requires that you be seen right away. The provider will provide instructions such as these to prepare for the procedure.

·       The dentist will need the tooth, and it should be clean from dirt or debris.

·       The recommendation is to try to put the tooth back in its place, in the socket. Otherwise, soak it in milk or saliva to preserve it without touching the root.

Bleeding gums

Bleeding gums can be a source of frustration for many people. The bleeding is difficult to stop and makes patients self-conscious. The problem can develop and persist for several reasons, with some being severe, such as decay, plaque and tartar buildup, gingivitis.

The emergency dental provider has the knowledge and expertise to stop the bleeding and will educate and inform patients on proper care and upkeep to prevent the issue from recurring or developing further complications down the road.

Infection

When you have a toothache, it’s vital to see a dentist to avoid the potential of an infection developing. A diseased tooth can readily spread infection to the gums, into the jaw, and the neck. You can experience redness and inflammation, and severe pain when an infection forms.

The objective is to eliminate the infection as quickly as possible to prevent the spread from reaching the bloodstream, which can be life-threatening if it becomes septic.

Sepsis, when neglected, can lead to organ failure and be fatal; thus, early detection and treatment are essential. Practitioners will clean the area thoroughly and prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection. In some cases, a root canal is necessary to save the tooth. 

Abscess

An infection can develop within the tissue of any organ, but tooth abscesses are most common. These require immediate dental care. When an abscess is neglected, it can spread throughout the body, putting you at risk for severe health concerns.

When a toothache persists or the surrounding area is red and inflamed, an abscess could develop. A qualified emergency dentist will drain the abscess to prevent further tooth damage. 

Typically, providers make an incision above the infection in the gum tissue or pierce the abscess to encourage pus drainage and help alleviate the pressure. The clinic will also use saline solution to rinse the area and clear out the infection.

Broken jaw

Generally, broken jaws occur from accidents such as sports injuries or car accidents. The injury is incredibly painful and can take several weeks to a few months to heal. 

The injury must be handled promptly and properly. If misaligned, you could experience difficulty breathing. The potential for malocclusion or teeth misalignment is high due to unnatural chewing when trying to eat. 

A reputable and reliable emergency dentist will help to prevent the potential for malocclusion by adequately setting the jaw.

Final Thought

A dental emergency can happen when you least expect it, leading to pain and creating anxiety and stress. Click here to learn about dental emergencies and your oral health with information from the ADA.

Being proactive and preventive is integral to preserving your oral health; this means having a reputable, credentialed emergency dentist. When addressed early, emergencies can be stabilized and general health protected. 

These teams are dedicated to providing effective treatment to address urgent situations the moment they arise, doing their part to ensure you enjoy a healthy smile for many years.