Medical emergencies happen all the time. If you experience an injury or accident, a visit to the emergency room is in order. It is easy to quantify what merits a visit to the emergency room. However, what qualifies as a dental emergency isn’t always as straightforward. But there are common situations that fall into the dental emergency category. At Lovett Dental Katy, we have the experience and expertise to not only answer all your questions and concerns but also get you the treatment you need. There’s no reason to endure needless pain or anxiety. Our compassionate staff can help you identify what is a dental emergency and can keep your teeth and gums healthy.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
There are two major types of dental emergencies. Most situations that merit this kind of attention fall into one of these categories.
Oral Infections
A serious oral infection is a dental emergency. Conversely, some minor infections like gingivitis or cold sores are oral infections that do not require emergency care but merit attention nonetheless. If you notice swelling under your mouth, around your jawline, or have difficulty swallowing or breathing, this could indicate a potential oral infection that needs emergency dental care.
Tooth Fractures or Displaced Teeth
This is by far the most common dental-related emergency. A loose or fractured tooth can happen in a variety of ways. Most often, this happens when playing a contact sport, such as basketball, football, or hockey, or if you fall off of something. Quick action is important after knocking out a tooth or experiencing a fracture. Call your dentist immediately if you experience this. Then, try to place the tooth back into the socket. If that’s not possible, place it between your gums and cheek, or use milk to preserve the tooth. For a fractured tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and put cold compresses on your face to reduce swelling.
A Checklist to Evaluate Dental Emergencies
Consider the following checklist from the ADA to determine if you are experiencing a true dental emergency that merits quick attention and an emergency visit to our office. The situations listed below are considered true dental emergencies by dental professionals:
- Knocked out or broken teeth
- Infection, swelling, and pain in the gums due to infection
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Trauma involving the facial bones that can compromise your airway
Reach out to your dentist if any of the above has happened to you.
Dental Problems That Require Urgent Attention
Some dental emergencies do merit quick attention but do not require “emergency” action. The ADA refers to these situations as urgent dental occurrences. They include:
- Biopsy of tissue in the mouth that is abnormal
- Dental treatment necessary before critical medical procedures are performed
- Small tooth fracture that is causing soft tissue trauma or pain
- An abscessed tooth, often occurring post-surgery, causes immense pain and localized swelling
- Pericoronitis, which is also known as third-molar pain
- Severe dental pain, often from pulpal inflammation
Finding Help At Lovett Dental Katy
There are degrees of urgency, but overall if you’re experiencing pain, discomfort, and excessive worry, reach out to your dentist. In general, if you are in immense pain or have lost part or all of your tooth, you need to ask yourself what is a dental emergency and seek out dental services as soon as possible. Therefore, if your current situation meets the criteria above for a dental emergency, or even falls into the category of an urgent dental issue, contact Lovett Dental Katy today at 832-437-6477. There is no reason to suffer any longer. Remember, putting off treatment can cause long-term damage, so reach out right away.
