Dental Emergencies - Why You Should Call an Emergency Dentist

Dental emergencies can be extremely painful and if not addressed promptly can lead to much more costly treatment down the road. Whether you have severe tooth pain, a broken filling or a swollen jaw it is important to call a local emergency dentist Tallahassee FL.

Fortunately, Tallahassee has many exceptional dental practices that specialize in various treatments. Some of the most renowned include CWD Dental Group on Capital Medical Blvd and Kerry Forest Parkway.

Broken Tooth

A broken tooth is a common dental emergency. It can be caused by eating a hard or brittle food, falling accidents, or dental trauma. If the break is minor, a dentist may be able to bond it back on. However, if it is severe, the dentist will likely perform a root canal.

If a tooth breaks, apply pressure with a piece of clean gauze to stop any bleeding and reduce pain. If the remaining tooth has a sharp or jagged edge, cover it with dental wax paraffin or sugarless chewing gum to prevent damage to the tongue or cheek. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen to control discomfort until you see your dentist.

A dental emergency is any issue that requires immediate attention to resolve pain, stop bleeding, pull out a tooth, or calm extreme discomfort. Call the 24-hour dentist referral service to connect with a dentist near you who has availability during your time of need.

Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth (also known as avulsed) is one of the most severe forms of dental trauma and it’s also a medical emergency. A knocked-out tooth means that the nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissues have all been damaged. In most cases, however, the knocked-out tooth can be saved.

When someone gets a knocked-out tooth, it’s important to work fast. First, find the tooth and carefully pick it up. Make sure to only touch the crown of the tooth and not the root, as touching the root could cause further damage.

Then, place the tooth back into its socket (the hole in the gums). Hold the tooth in by pushing it down and securing it with a piece of gauze or a composite splint.

Gum Damage

Gum disease affects the tissues that support your teeth. It starts with gingivitis, which causes the gums to become red and swollen and may bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. If untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. This erodes the bone that holds your teeth in place, which can weaken them and cause them to come loose.

If your gum tissue is damaged, it can be repaired with a soft tissue graft. This procedure uses tissue from the roof of your mouth or another source to reinforce thin gums and cover exposed tooth roots.

If you have a dental emergency, call an emergency dentist Tallahassee FL right away. They can save your broken or knocked out tooth, treat a painful abscess, and more.

Jaw Pain

If you have a broken tooth or knocked out tooth, call your dentist right away for advice. They can repair a damaged tooth with a filling, dental bonding, or crown. They can also fix other problems like root canals or dental abscesses. To help prevent dental emergencies, brush your teeth regularly, floss, avoid chewing on ice or popcorn kernels, and wear mouthguards during sports or activities that pose a risk of injury to the mouth.

Jaw pain may be caused by a sinus infection, a dislocated jaw, or a medical emergency like a heart attack. It can be constant or intermittent, and it can feel dull or throbbing. It can also be triggered by certain movements or activities. Other causes include temporomandibular joint disorder, a toothache, and trigeminal neuralgia.

Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of pus in the skin or under the skin. It occurs when the body’s immune system tries to fight an infection. The area is swollen, warm and painful, and the center feels soft or "squishy."

If an abscess is left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body. This can be life-threatening.

A health care provider will drain the abscess with a needle and a drainage device. This is usually done after numbing the area with medicine or cutting open the abscess. A sample of the abscess fluid will be sent to a lab for testing. The abscess will be packed with a ribbon of gauze "wick." You may need to replace the wick several times a day. You’ll also take antibiotics to treat the infection.

Linda Hudson is a IETP professional with more than 5 years of experience and fond of reading new topics and upcoming technologies on internet.