If you experience a dental emergency, it is important to know an emergency dentist is just a phone call away. Many dentists who provide emergency services make themselves available 24 hours a day, as emergencies can arise at any time. Emergency dentists are professionals who treat walk-in and last-minute patients who require immediate care.
Emergency dental care is available at Smile Solutions in Pittsburg and the surrounding area. In the case of a dental emergency, you should ideally contact our office first. However, there may be times — such as when an issue arises at night, over the weekend, or on a holiday — when your first instinct is to rush to the emergency room. In these situations, carefully consider the severity of the problem and whether it necessitates ER care.
Dental emergencies can arise at any time of day or night, and in a variety of situations. When one does, call Smile Solutions at 620-317-0286 to get the immediate treatment you need.
When To Go Straight To The ER
Dental emergencies may occur after a fall or an accident. Patients should always seek urgent medical care following a serious car accident. According to Harvard Health, any injury that results in a blow to the head can be fatal. Keep in mind that head injuries can be difficult to detect. Patients may feel fine shortly after their accident, but they could have internal bleeding. Some head injuries can also trigger dangerous brain inflammation.
After an accident, patients may experience a rush of adrenaline. This stress hormone keeps one stable during an emergency, but it can also numb pain. Patients may not realize the extent of their injuries until the adrenaline wears off. By then, the medical problem may have worsened. The patient may be severely ill.
Patients should also visit the ER if they have heavy oral bleeding. Seek medical care right away if bleeding does not stop within a few minutes. Patients might also need urgent care if they suffer an injury while taking blood thinners. These prescription drugs can cause uncontrolled bleeding. A medical provider may need to intervene to prevent hemorrhage.
After a dental emergency, patients may try to contact their family dentist. But if it is after-hours, patients might be unable to reach the office team. If you experience severe pain or bleeding, do not wait until the dental office reopens. Instead, visit the ER for an immediate evaluation.
- Should I visit the ER after a dental emergency?
Emergency Dental Appointments
If an emergency occurs during business hours, call the dental office for advice. Dental emergencies include:
- Broken, cracked, or chipped teeth
- Dental pain
- Jaw injuries
- Knocked-out teeth
- Loose permanent teeth
- Oral bleeding
The office team can provide on-the-spot guidance. They can also arrange a same-day or next-day appointment. After an emergency, the team may ask the patient to visit the office as soon as possible.
Sometimes, patients might be tempted to delay their appointment. For example, they may be nervous about seeing a dentist or reluctant to reschedule an important meeting. But keep in mind that dental emergencies can worsen rapidly.
The human mouth is home to hundreds of bacterial species. After an oral injury, bacteria can enter the bloodstream. They may travel to internal organs and cause life-threatening complications. Emergency treatment helps prevent or treat serious oral infections.
Untreated dental emergencies can also result in permanent tooth loss. Patients who delay treatment may need extensive reconstructive work. Prompt treatment resolves dental problems and protects your oral health. If you have a dental emergency, do not wait to seek care.
- What happens if I do not seek care after a dental emergency?
Understanding Emergency Dental Treatment
During an emergency visit, the dental team may take photos or x-rays. Next, the dentist performs a thorough exam. First, they inspect the patient’s teeth and gums. Then the dentist determines what treatment is necessary.
If the patient has severe health problems, the dentist may arrange for an ambulance or send the patient to the ER. Hospital visits are usually reserved for severe injuries like broken bones or widespread infections. In most cases, the dentist can resolve the problem in the office.
The dentist can repair broken teeth or damaged dental appliances. But sometimes, treatment may involve several office visits. For example, if the patient needs a crown or implant, the dentists may order materials from a lab. The dental team might also delay reconstructive work until the patient’s mouth has healed from the original injury. Our team can let you know how many procedures to expect.
Dentists can treat oral injuries with stitches or medication. Prescription drugs can also treat or prevent infection. If the patient has an abscessed tooth or gum, they may need a combination of medication and in-office care. Abscesses occur when a pocket of pus develops near the root of the tooth. These bacterial infections can cause debilitating pain. Patients experiencing an abscess may need in-depth care.
- What happens during an emergency dental visit?
Oral Infections
If the patient has an abscess, the dentist must remove the source of the infection. Often, the dentist will perform a root canal. During these procedures, the dentist drills into the tooth and drains the pus. The dentist may also need to pull the tooth to clear the infection. Afterward, patients receive antibiotics to help clear up the infection.
Some patients may try to “wait out” their symptoms, but oral infections seldom clear up on their own. Instead, infections usually worsen and spread to other body parts. Untreated infections can result in life-threatening health problems.
Seek treatment right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Chills
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- Foul taste in the mouth
- Inflamed lymph nodes
- Severe oral pain
- Swollen cheeks or jaw
- Untreated infections can result in life-threatening health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Dental Emergency Terminology
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in the tooth root from a bacterial infection.
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Facial cellulitis is a condition in which an infection from an abscess or plaque in the teeth causes pain and spreads throughout the face.
Facial trauma can occur when someone is hit in the face by a ball or accidental elbow, along with smashing the face into objects such as a wall or steering wheel.
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that does not erupt properly from the gums and can cause pain and infection without professional extraction.
Irreversible pulpitis is when the tooth pain occurs spontaneously or persists after the patient removes the hot/cold substance that was causing it. Normal pulpitis will stop hurting immediately after removing the cause of the pain.
Lateral luxation is the displacement of a tooth that moves it in the wrong direction while it is still attached to the gums.
Pericoronitis is the inflammation of soft tissues surrounding a tooth that does not fully erupt from the gums and causes pain.
Tooth avulsion is when the tooth is completely displaced from the socket due to an accident or other health issues. We can replant the tooth if the patient seeks immediate care.
A tooth fracture can result from multiple sources, including an accidental elbow to the face during a sports game, biting on something really hard, falling face-first, and more.
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Know you can rely on our team when they do. Call us for the immediate care you need when one does.