Dental problems can be frustrating, especially when you have to endure the pain while carrying out your daily activities. However, many dentists have time in their schedules for emergency dental care, even in the evening, at weekends and on public holidays.
Seeking immediate care for dental emergencies is important, but not all dental issues are emergencies. To determine whether you have a dental emergency and require immediate care, you can ask the following questions.
- Am I in severe pain that affects my ability to sleep, eat, concentrate and do other activities?
- Do I have an infection?
- Has my bleeding occurred for over 20 minutes, even after biting down on a gauze?
- Have I lost, chipped or broken a tooth?
If you are in pain, have a damaged tooth or bleeding, ensure you get emergency dental. These may be symptoms of a long term or life-threatening medical condition.
Here are some common dental emergencies.
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Dental trauma
It is a common dental emergency covering any injury to the tongue, gums, jawbone, teeth and lips. Tooth trauma can cause the soft tissues, bones and teeth to become fractured, broken, lost, injured or displaced.
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Kids dental trauma
Children are more likely to have dental trauma because they engage in high-risk activities, especially without supervision. Suppose children with damaged gums, broken bones or chipped teeth do not receive immediate treatment. In that case, their oral health may be affected for life.
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Chipped, broken or cracked teeth
If you sustain sports injury or carry out any activity that cracks, breaks or chips your teeth, ensure you visit a dental clinic to see an emergency dentist.
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Knocked-out tooth
If you act fast when your tooth gets knocked out, you can save the tooth. If your tooth is knocked out, contact your dentist immediately and pick out the tooth, but avoid touching the root. Clean the tooth carefully but do not scrub it.
If possible, insert the tooth in the socket or put the tooth in a clean container with milk until your appointment.
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Partial tooth dislodgement
If your tooth is partially dislodged, it means it is loose but hanging on a dental nerve or root. With immediate dental treatment, you can reduce the risk of gum disease, infection, dental decay and losing the tooth.
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Toothache
People experience toothaches for many reasons, and the intensity of the pain varies. If your toothache is severe and distracts you from your activities, contact an emergency dentist immediately because you cannot determine the cause of the pain and what it may result in without treatment.
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Wisdom tooth pain
In many cases, wisdom teeth do not have enough space to erupt, so they cause pain in the jaw that spreads throughout the head and mouth. If you begin to feel pain from a wisdom tooth, ensure you see an emergency dentist.
If you removed your wisdom tooth and the wounds keep bleeding even after biting down on gauze, ensure you call your dentist.
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Pulpitis (reversible)
Pulpitis is an inflammation of the tissues in the tooth’s centre, called the dental pulp. The dental pulp contains nerves and soft connective tissues and supplies blood to the teeth. When inflamed, it causes deep pain.
Reversible pulpitis can become a cavity, but treatment from a dentist can prevent it from spreading.
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Irreversible pulpitis
Irreversible pulpitis is a common reason for emergency dental visits. It occurs when bacteria enter the nerve, causing severe and unbearable inflammation. Untreated pulpitis can cause the bacteria to spread to other parts of the body and mouth.
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Dental abscess
A dental abscess causes pus to form inside the bones, gums or teeth, leading to excruciating pain in the teeth, neck, ear and jaw. The pain may worsen when you lie down. The gums may become swollen and red, with tender or loose teeth.
Dental abscess does not self-resolve, so you need to visit an emergency dentist shortly for treatment.
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Tooth extraction
Different dental issues may require immediate tooth extraction. Tooth extraction may be best if you have gum infection or tooth decay. However, you need to consult a dentist before concluding you need an emergency tooth extraction.
If you had a recent tooth extraction and experienced bleeding for several days, ensure you call your dentist. If the scars do not heal, you may have an infection.
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Root canal
A root canal treatment is effective for saving the decayed tooth. Many emergency dentists carry out root canal treatment often. This procedure can prevent bacteria from spreading and help you avoid tooth extraction.
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Tooth cusp damage
The tooth’s cusp is the pointed chewing surface. If the cusp becomes damaged, your teeth will be susceptible to decay, dental abscess or pulpitis. You need immediate attention if your cusp gets damaged.
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Lost or broken fillings
If a broken or lost filling is left unattended, you may experience tooth decay or loss. Contact your dentist if your filling gets damaged or lost.
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Lost or broken crowns or caps
If your cap or crown falls off, you can try to re-cement at home after a thorough cleaning before you can see a dentist but if it is lost or broken, schedule an emergency dental appointment. Without your crown, your teeth will be susceptible to infection.
To access immediate care from Emergency Dental Clinic London, call 020 7229 4627 for an appointment. You can also walk into our clinic during office hours for care if a dental emergency arises.
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