When To Seek Emergency Dental Care
Like a number of other health conditions, the American Dental Association states that a dental emergency can be life-threatening. Serious issues that need immediate attention include infection and ongoing bleeding. Certain traumas, especially those that involve facial bones, also require immediate treatment, as they can cut off the airway and restrict breathing. Seeking immediate dental attention for these issues can prevent trips to the ER at the hospital.
Uncontrolled bleeding and difficulty breathing are not the only reasons to get emergency care. There are numerous other urgent dental conditions that indicate an appointment should be made right away. Some of these issues and their symptoms include:
- Infection: Infection can be caused by numerous things, and it can be localized or more general. Common signs include swelling, red gums, pain, and pockets of pus. An infection may also result in a fever.
- Pulpal inflammation: According to Medical News Today, this is inflammation of the pulp, which refers to the tissue, blood supply, and nerves found in the middle of a tooth. It is often caused by a cavity infection and often is indicated by sensitivity, swelling, and pain.
- Dry socket: Dry socket can occur after the removal of the tooth, most commonly a wisdom tooth. It occurs when a blood clot becomes dislodged or does not form properly, which exposes the bones and nerves in the gums. Throbbing jaw pain, bad breath, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth are all possible symptoms.
- Tooth fracture: A fractured tooth can occur from an acute injury or from biting something hard. A fracture may be easy to spot if it is an obvious break. Additional signs to watch for are pain, temperature sensitivity, and swelling.
“Serious issues that need immediate attention include infection and ongoing bleeding.”
What Procedures Emergency Dental Care Covers
The specific type of procedure used is largely dependent on the symptoms and issue. For infections, the dentist acts to fix the problem, such as removing decay from a lost filling, and then possibly prescribes an antibiotic to kill off the harmful bacteria. Pulpal inflammation may be caused by a cavity, injury, a fractured tooth, or repetitive trauma. Potential procedures used include disinfecting and sealing or removing the tooth.
For a dry socket, Healthline describes that the dentist cleans the socket to prevent infection and ease the pain and then pack it with gauze. Often pain medication is recommended to provide relief. Depending on the severity of a fractured tooth, common procedures include bonding, placing a crown, root canal, or extraction.
“The specific type of procedure used is largely dependent on the symptoms and issue.”
Non-Emergency Issues
Certain signs that indicate potential emergency situations are also signs of non-emergency ones. Therefore, if there is any doubt, it is still a good idea to make an immediate appointment. Bleeding is one example. Although some bleeding after a dental procedure is normal, it should only last around 24 to 48 hours, in most cases. If the bleeding is intense and uncontrollable, it is a good idea to visit the dentist right away.
Some dental emergencies are nonurgent and can wait a day or two to be seen. These include a small crack or chip in a tooth; a lost crown, filling, or bridge; a dull toothache; and food stuck between two teeth.
“Certain signs that indicate potential emergency situations are also signs of non-emergency ones.”
When Pain Occurs
Pain is another common sign of various dental issues that can range from minor to serious. If the pain is dull, intermittent, or both, it is probably all right to wait for a regular appointment. However, pain that is sharp and constant indicates an emergency, so it is recommended to make an immediate appointment even if there are no other signs. WebMD also states that jaw pain can also be a sign of more serious dental issues.
“However, pain that is sharp and constant indicates an emergency, so it is recommended to make an immediate appointment even if there are no other signs.”
