By definition, emergencies strike when people aren’t expecting them, and oral health disasters tend to happen at the least convenient times. Fortunately, your emergency dentist is trained and equipped to address these issues with safe and effective treatments. Here’s a quick overview of several of the most common oral health crises and how your dentist can restore the health of your smile.
Toothache Is Utterly Horrible
A toothache can happen at any time, and it is often caused by harmful bacteria attacking the soft pulp tissue at the center of the tooth. This infection will not get better on its own, and it will eventually lead to tooth loss if it is left untreated. Fortunately, your dentist can address this issue by performing a root canal, a painless procedure that eliminates an agonizing infection at its source and restores the tooth to prevent further damage. This can allow a compromised tooth to continue functioning for many years.
However, it will be necessary to extract the tooth if it is too decayed to be saved. If this is the case, your dentist will be happy to discuss an appropriate replacement such as a bridge, denture, or dental implant.
Dislodged Teeth Are at Great Risk of Being Permanently Lost
Teeth can be knocked out of their sockets due to falls or blows to the face. A dislodged tooth’s chances of being successfully reimplanted will begin to fall after about thirty minutes, so it’s imperative to prepare it for transport and get to your emergency dentist’s office quickly. Find the tooth, handle it only by the crown portion, and swish it about in lukewarm water if it is dirty. Then, place it back in the socket, in the lip, or in a clean container with milk or saliva to keep it nourished during the trip to the dentist’s office.
Your dentist may be able to fix the tooth back in its place and encourage it to reintegrate with the gum and bone tissues. However, a tooth that cannot be saved will have to be replaced with an appropriate restoration such as a bridge, denture, or implant.
Knowing what to do and where to turn when a dental emergency strikes can set you up to find relief for your pain and a resolution to the problem as quickly as possible. It’s a great idea to keep your dentist’s office number in your address book.
About the Author
Dr. Sandra Thore earned her dental degree at the Medical University of South Carolina and keeps her skills sharp by regularly participating in continuing education coursework. She is a past president of the Raleigh-Wake County Dental Association and a proud member of the American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Association. Her office in Raleigh offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about how dental emergencies are treated, contact the office online or dial (919) 659-0015.