Taking certain precautions, like brushing and flossing twice daily and visiting your dentist every 6 months for a routine checkup and cleaning, can help prevent common dental concerns, like cavities and gum disease. However, there’s no guarantee that you’ll never develop an oral emergency.
But plenty of oral issues start small and don’t exhibit symptoms until they progress, leading to more complex and costly treatments. Continue reading to learn what counts as an urgent dental issue, so you know when to contact your provider for a same-day appointment!
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Dental problems usually don’t resolve themselves and tend to progressively worsen over time rather than improve. That means you don’t want to wait too long to be seen once you notice any kind of issue. Unfortunately, some patients assume that their concern isn’t ‘that big a deal’ and wait too long to contact their provider for assistance.
Some issues, like sensitivity caused by aggressive brushing or an acidic diet, can be frustrating but might not be considered urgent. Typically, any condition that has damaged your enamel, caused an infection, results in persistent or worsening pain, or causes bleeding or swelling deserves a same-day appointment before it leads to more serious consequences, such as permanent tooth loss.
If you’re unsure whether your circumstances deserve immediate attention, you can contact your dentist’s office to let them know what happened, and they will schedule an appropriate time to see you.
How Are Dental Emergencies Treated?
Thankfully, many providers offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies so that you don’t have to wait long to get the help you need. Some of them also have options for sedation, like nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which is inhaled through a mask placed over your nose while they work, or oral conscious medications taken as a prescribed pill.
Once your dentist addresses your discomfort, they will examine your teeth and gums to determine the root problem. They might also need to take diagnostic X-rays or other scans to see beneath the surface of your teeth and gums to establish the extent of the harm done. Then, they’ll put together a personalized treatment plan to improve your condition based on their findings.
How Do I Know if I Need an Emergency Dental Appointment?
Sometimes it can be difficult to judge whether you should contact your dentist or a doctor for your dental emergency. In most cases, it’s best to start with your oral healthcare provider, because they have the unique training and technology to quickly and accurately assess your condition, identify problem areas, and devise appropriate solutions.
However, if you suspect your jaw is broken, are experiencing bleeding that doesn’t stop after applying pressure for 10 minutes, or are presenting with other signs of a more serious infection, such as chills, fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing, you should head to the closest emergency room right away.
If you’re unsure whether your issue counts as a dental emergency, you can contact your dental office, and they’ll walk you through the next best steps to take to get the help you need.
About the Practice
At Woodhill Family Dental, patients in Dallas benefit from two dentists who are passionate about helping improve their dental health. Dr. Horton and Dr. Jack share decades of combined experience, and today, they collaborate to provide a complete menu of services, including same-day emergency visits and dental sedation, conveniently under one roof. They take the time to get to know your unique situation, then use state-of-the-art technology to deliver customized treatment plans for comfortable, accurate results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (214) 363-1406.