What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a dental problem that requires an immediate response for it to be controlled. It is usually extremely painful, accompanied by profuse bleeding and can be life-threatening.
Various dental conditions require professional treatment; however, not all of them require immediate attention. Your ability to recognize which dental condition is an emergency can make a difference, not only in the state of your oral health but also in the quality of your life.
Conditions that can be considered common dental emergencies include:
A tooth abscess is a collection of pus in areas near a tooth. It can occur at one or more sites in the mouth. When it occurs at the top of the tooth, it is known as a periapical abscess. When a tooth abscess occurs in the gums at the side of a tooth or the tooth root, it is called a periodontal abscess.
A tooth abscess usually occurs when there is a bacterial infection. This can arise due to a dental injury or an untreated dental cavity. It is characterized by severe pain, fever, face and neck swelling, tenderness and discomfort at hot or cold temperatures.
As the name implies, bleeding gums is a condition where your gums are injured and begin to bleed. Your gums can bleed for several reasons. Some simple reasons can include the use of certain medications, an injury while brushing or flossing, as well as when using a spoon or a fork. However, it can also be an indication of a more serious condition such as gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums caused by the accumulation of plaque at the gum line.
If left untreated, bleeding gums can result in a condition known as periodontitis, which leads to the pulling away of the gum from your teeth roots.
Dental braces are tools used to align and straighten teeth. They are used to correct problems such as crooked teeth, crowding of the teeth, misaligned teeth and several other conditions. They are usually used by adolescents, but adults may also use them.
Dental braces are usually made from materials such as ceramic, steel, gold and other metals. Such materials are strong and designed to withstand wear and tear as well as the force of collisions. However, it is still possible for these braces to break. These breakages can cause a serious emergency because the broken edges can injure the gums, break teeth and even pierce the tongue.
A toothache is a pain arising from a tooth or multiple teeth. It can be mild or severe. A severe toothache can occur as a result of several factors. These factors include tooth decay, dental abscesses, broken teeth, infection and many more.
Severe toothaches can be accompanied by fever, headache, bleeding, mouth odor, swelling of the mouth and other symptoms. The pain from toothaches can be very severe and affect one’s behavior and normal functioning. If not treated immediately, they can lead to even more serious dental conditions and prove fatal.
An extruded tooth is the partial displacement of a tooth from its socket. It is usually a result of trauma to the tooth. When this occurs, the force displaces the tooth and tears the periodontal ligament that was holding it in place, along with the nerves and blood vessels supplying that tooth.
The tooth is a very sensitive organ, and, as such, an extrusion can cause severe pain to the individual. A lot of bleeding may occur, and the looseness of the tooth can be very uncomfortable and even put it at risk of fracture.
A broken tooth is one of the most common forms of dental emergencies. It is caused by several factors, primarily traumatic incidents.
A broken tooth is generally accompanied by intense pain, bleeding and occasionally fever. If not attended to immediately, it can lead to an infection and more dangerous dental conditions. The jagged end of the broken tooth also needs to be filed properly to prevent injury to the gums and tongue.
Just like a broken tooth, a knocked-out tooth is caused mainly by trauma to the mouth. It can also be incredibly painful and cause severe bleeding.
The major difference between a knocked-out tooth and a broken tooth is that the knocked-out tooth is completely removed from the gum and not just fractured. If timely, urgent dental care is given, the tooth might be saved.
We at Premier Dental Club believe that your smile is so beautiful that nothing should ever take it away. We utilize the latest dental technology and techniques to give our clients quality oral healthcare and transform their lives. When you're searching for an "emergency dentist near me", you can be confident of your results and trust the professionals at Premier Dental Club.
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