Emergency Dental Care Is Just As Important As Eergency Medical Care
Just like with a regular medical issue, trying to determine when you need to find emergency dental care can be tricky. Most people visit their dentist twice a year for checkups, cleaning, and any necessary dental procedures. However, problems can arise at any time. Some problems can wait until your next scheduled appointment and some cannot. Here are a few signs you should seek out a dental clinic that offers emergency walk-ins.
Tooth Knocked Out
Any time you lose an adult tooth it is important to see a dentist right away if you want to save the tooth. If possible, fit the missing tooth back into its socket while on the way to the dentist. If you can fit it back into place, either hold it in your mouth between your teeth and gums or place it in a cup of milk. Be careful to only touch the crown of the tooth and avoid the root. The sooner you get to the dentist, the better the chance of them being able to get the tooth securely back in place.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is an infection in your gums, often around the root of a tooth. You may have a fever, swollen jaw, swelling around the tooth with a pus-filled sack, pain, and a foul taste in your mouth. The infection can travel through your body to your heart and/or brain. If the infection has had time to create an abscess, you can be sure it is severe. The emergency dentist can clean the area, provide antibiotics, and make sure the tooth and gum are going to be alright.
Bleeding Gums
While some peoples' gums bleed a bit with every brushing or flossing, anything more than just a bit is not good. In most cases, this is a sign of gum disease. if left untreated, the disease can spread throughout your mouth, causing you to lose all your teeth. If the gums are bleeding easily or more than just a bit, you are probably on the verge of losing at least one tooth. With proper dental care, you can save your teeth.
Not all dental clinics offer 24/7 emergency dental care. If your regular dentist does not have an option for after-hours care, you may need to look for a clinic that does. Not taking care of a dental emergency and waiting for your next appointment can result in many dental issues, such as your teeth shifting, infections spreading throughout your body, and not being able to eat or speak properly. You wouldn't skip out on emergency medical care. Get emergency dental care when you need it.
Share
