Certain dental issues cannot wait. If you fail to see the dentist for an emergency situation, then you put your oral health at risk. Find out what issues demand an emergency dentist, and how your dentist can treat them. Then you can be sure to get the help you need when you need it. Here are some of the most common questions about seeing an emergency dentist.
1. When Do You Need an Emergency Dentist?
This is not an easy question to answer. There is no simple guideline that can tell you when you need to go to see a dentist immediately. Although certain issues always require emergency work, others are more up to your discretion. For example, a knocked out tooth should always be handled immediately. However, tooth pain only sometimes requires immediate care. Whether you need immediate care depends on the type of pain and its severity. The best thing for you to do is to call your dentist. If you have any concerns, then contact your dentist. He will be able to tell you whether you need immediate dental care. In any case, it’s best to be on the safe side. Any concern is a worthwhile concern.
2. How Important Is It to See a Dentist for Your Chipped Tooth?
A chipped tooth requires immediate dental care. Whether or not you feel any pain, a chipped tooth is a source of concern. The
chip in your tooth could leave delicate areas of your tooth exposed to bacteria. When that bacteria comes into contact with the exposed area, it could remain there. As a result, an infection could develop. This leads to decay. Eventually, a dentist might need to remove the tooth. If you see a dentist immediately, then he can examine your chipped tooth. There might not be any delicate area of the tooth exposed. If this is the case, then the dentist might choose to wait to treat you. However, if part of the tooth is exposed, your dentist can treat the problem. After he repairs the chip, you won’t be at risk for an infection.
3. What Are the Consequences of Failing to Go to the Dentist Immediately?
If you have a dental emergency and don’t make it to the dentist, then there are serious consequences. Those consequences depend on your emergency. For example, failing to go to a dentist for an abscessed tooth could cause an infection to spread through your blood. If you fail to go to a dentist for a knocked out tooth, then you won’t be able to replace the tooth and could develop an infection. One of the most common consequences of failing to get to an emergency dentist is an infection. If you leave a serious dental issue untreated, then you risk developing an infection. Whether you have a cavity, cracked tooth, or any other issue, an infection could develop. The only way to prevent an infection is to treat the problem as soon as possible. And that means going to an emergency dentist.
4. How Should You Handle Oral Swelling?
A variety of issues can cause swelling in your mouth or jaw. Any one of those issues is a good reason to see your dentist right away. However, there are a few things that you can do. For one, avoid putting heat on the swollen area. While heat might offer you some immediate relief, it can make the infection spread quickly. A cold compress can give you some relief without spreading the infection. If the pain is intense, then you might also want to consider taking aspirin. However, you should consult with your dentist before taking any type of pain medication for your swelling. Often, oral swelling is a result of an infection. Sometimes, the swelling can make it difficult to breathe or to see. In either case, you need to get medical help immediately. Your dentist can give you the care that you need. In addition to diagnosing the source of your swelling, he can treat it. This could mean a round of antibiotics. Once you treat the infection, then the swelling should diminish.
5. Can You See an Emergency Dentist If You Have Anxiety About Dental Work?
Some people hesitate to see a dentist because they are afraid of the dentist. If you feel this way, then you’re not alone. Many adults have an irrational fear of the dentist. Fortunately,
your dentist can help you overcome that fear. Your dentist can administer nitrous oxide or other types of sedation. When you’re sedated, you don’t have to worry about anxiety. You can relax while your dentist treats your problem. Under no circumstances should you allow your anxiety to keep you from seeing a dentist. This is especially true for emergency situations. If you put off your dental visit, then your problem could be worse. What could have been an easy fix could turn into a nightmare.