Dental Emergencies That Require Urgent Dental Care

If you’re experiencing an intense throbbing toothache, visible swelling or bleeding that won’t stop, you should seek urgent dental care Russellville KY. Searches such as “urgent dentist near me” or “dental emergency clinic” can help you find options for immediate treatment.

Getting prompt care can minimize the risk of complications and save you from costly dental procedures down the road. Learn more about six common dental emergencies and how to respond.

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked out tooth is a dental emergency that requires prompt attention. The nerves, roots, and blood vessels in the tooth are damaged when it is knocked out.

If the knocked out tooth can be repositioned in its socket without force, the dentist may be able to save it. Try to avoid touching the root of the tooth and only handle it by the crown. Store the tooth in saliva or milk – not standard tap water as that can kill cells in the root.

Knocked out teeth can be a traumatic experience and it’s important to seek care immediately to avoid complications like jaw fracture and infection. Understanding the facts versus the myths about a knocked out tooth can help you handle the situation effectively.

Bleeding Gums or Mouth

Bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease, or other medical conditions. It’s important to get an emergency dentist appointment to understand the root cause, so it can be treated appropriately.

Occasional bleeding when flossing or brushing is normal, but if your gums bleed frequently, this could indicate more serious problems. Gum disease is caused by bacteria in dental plaque and tartar, which eat away at the gum tissue and cause bleeding.

If your bleeding gums cannot be managed by a dentist, contact your primary care provider or local ER. They can provide pain relief and a referral to a specialist, if needed. This will ensure your condition does not worsen or pose a health risk. They will also recommend treatment to prevent gum disease.

Broken or Fractured Tooth

A tooth fractured around a cusp or urgent dental care Russellville KY is often painful, and needs treatment. The trauma can come from a single blunt force or more recurrent functional forces such as bruxism. Craze lines extending subgingivally from a cusp might require root canal therapy (RCT).

However, not all cracked teeth need immediate attention. Unless the fracture exposes a nerve, it may not hurt at all. Even if it does, the pain may come and go. The best way to know is to have your dentist examine the tooth with X-rays. In the meantime, you can press a piece of gauze or a cloth against any bleeding areas. A cold pack or over-the-counter pain relievers can also help. The pain will only get worse if left untreated.

Swollen Gums or Abscess

A tooth abscess is a pus-filled swelling that may be caused by infection inside your mouth or gums. The cause of the infection may be tooth decay, a cracked or chipped tooth, or gum disease.

Persistent pain in the affected area is a sign of a tooth abscess and a dental emergency. The pain is often described as throbbing, gnawing, or sharp. The pain may also increase when you bite down or open your mouth.

Home remedies like over-the-counter pain relievers and rinsing your mouth with salt water can help ease the pain. However, antibiotics are not a cure for abscessed teeth and will not resolve the bacterial infection. Without prompt treatment, the bacterial infection could spread throughout your body and lead to serious health complications.

Infections

An infection is a serious dental emergency that can lead to severe and permanent damage. The longer it goes untreated, the more likely it is to lead to a life-threatening infection such as sepsis. Rough play on the playground, sports and bike riding are common causes of dental injuries that lead to infections. Other causes include impacted wisdom teeth, pericoronitis and a cyst or tumor that affects the soft tissues of the mouth. Infections can also spread when someone who has an infected mouth touches a contaminated surface.