Types of Dental Emergencies That Require the Attention of an Emergency Dentist

A dental emergency can occur at any time and is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Some examples include a knocked out tooth, severe pain or bleeding gums.

In case your tooth gets knocked out, it is important to pick it up by the crown and rinse it with water that is warm or salty. You can also take some over the counter painkillers until you can visit an emergency dentist Smyrna TN.

Toothache

A toothache is a common dental emergency that can be caused by a variety of things. It may be a sign of an infection, tooth decay or even a jaw fracture. It can also be a result of certain foods or medications, or from habits like chewing on hard objects.

Regardless of the cause, tooth pain is never normal and it’s important to call your dentist right away. The longer you ignore a toothache, the more severe it can become.

Some signs that it’s time to call an emergency dentist include a sharp, shooting or persistent pain; a knot in the jaw; or bleeding that won’t stop. To relieve pain, rinse with warm or cold water and take an over-the-counter painkiller. It’s also important to brush two times a day, floss and avoid brittle food.

Gum Damage

Gum disease can cause severe tooth pain, swollen gums, bleeding and receding gums. If left untreated, gum problems can lead to bone deterioration and tooth loss. A complication of gum disease is periodontitis, which is when the tissue around the roots and teeth becomes destroyed. It can also lead to heart disease and other health issues.

If you have a gum problem, emergency dentists can offer many treatments to help restore healthy tissue. These include open flap scaling and root planing, which is a surgical treatment that folds back the gum to remove tartar deposits and bacteria, and regeneration therapy, which uses a membrane or graft tissue to encourage the body to restore damaged tissue.

If you experience a dental emergency, it is important to act quickly. Use ice to relieve pain and take over-the-counter medications until you can get to a dentist.

Root Canal

A root canal is a procedure that removes diseased tissue from the interior of a tooth and then cleans, shapes and decontaminates the hollow area. It’s an important dental treatment because it preserves the structure of the tooth and alleviates pain from a severe infection.

Broken or damaged teeth can be caused by sports-related injuries, car accidents, falls, and workplace accidents. The fractures expose the inner tooth to bacteria that cause an infection in the pulp tissue and if left untreated, an abscess will form.

The best way to avoid this dental emergency is to practice good oral hygiene and wear a mouth guard during sports. It’s also important to seek immediate treatment if you experience this problem. A emergency dentist Smyrna TN can treat you for a root canal quickly and effectively.

Broken Dentures

Dentures are strong and sturdy, but they can still be damaged. Normal wear and tear, chewing on hard foods, and the temperature changes from hot and cold food can put stress on them and cause damage.

Accidental drops can also break them. If you drop your dentures, it is important to make sure they do not land on a hard surface like a sink or tile floor. This can cause a fracture in the pink base or a crack in one of the teeth.

You can use a denture repair kit that contains FDA-approved safe bonding materials to temporarily fix the broken parts of your denture. However, you should try to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage and pain.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are usually a symptom of an underlying health problem. They may be caused by gum disease, which is when plaque bacteria irritates your gum tissue, leading to redness, inflammation, bad breath and bleeding gums. Gum disease can lead to more serious dental problems, including tooth loss.

Bleeding gums can also be caused by a condition called thrombocytopenia, which is when your body doesn’t have enough platelets to form blood clots. Other symptoms of this condition include heavy bleeding after you cut yourself or have dental work done.

If your gums are bleeding, it’s important to contact an emergency dentist right away. Whether your tooth is cracked, your gums are bleeding or your filling fell out, we’ll connect you with a local dentist who can help.