Did you ever notice that when your mouth hurts, it seems like your whole body hurts along with it?
Not all injuries can wait for an appointment. In fact, some dental conditions require prompt medical attention to prevent further damage to your teeth and to alleviate discomfort. In some cases, minor injuries might be able to wait until a regularly scheduled appointment, but the following four dental problems are among the most common issues that require emergency dental care.
1. Knocked Out Teeth
Knocked out teeth can be shocking, but this is one of the clearest signals that you need a trip to the emergency dentist. Whether the tooth was knocked out as part of a sports injury, fall, biting down on hard food or another type of accident, how you handle the tooth is as important as getting to the dentist as soon as possible. Try to put the tooth back in the socket. Alternatively, rinse it off and keep it in a container filled with saliva or milk to keep the tooth intact until you see the dentist.
2. Broken/Chipped Tooth
A small chip might feel and look awkward, but if the injury is minor, you can probably wait until your dentist’s normal business hours. A severe break or a chipped tooth accompanied by significant pain should send you to the emergency dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will likely fix the problem with a veneer, bond or crown — and that also alleviates the discomfort.
3. A Lost Crown or Filling
You might be tempted to treat a lost crown or filling as an inconvenience, but it’s actually one of the leading causes of emergency dental visits. Seeking prompt dental care is essential to replace the missing piece and to prevent any further tooth damage.
4. Severe Pain
Anyone who has ever experienced serious dental pain can tell you that it’s nothing to take lightly. An abscess or exposed nerves may cause severe pain. Symptoms of an abscess include a severe, throbbing toothache that may radiate to the neck, ear or jaw; swelling in the face; sensitivity to temperature and pressure; and a fever. If you’ve lost a crown or filling and you feel pain when air or any substances touch your tooth, you might be dealing with an exposed nerve.
No matter what kind of dental emergency you’re experiencing, Klement Family Dental is here to help. We offer convenient office hours six days per week and we do our best to see you quickly in the event of a dental emergency. Call us now at 727-498-1959 727-498-1959 to make an appointment.
