Common dental emergencies include severe toothaches, broken and dislodged teeth, and painful gum infections, and these oral health crises have an unfortunate tendency to strike at the least convenient moments possible. Luckily, your emergency dentist is trained and equipped to address a wide range of oral maladies. Here’s a quick look at how emergency dental appointments work and how your dentist can restore your oral health.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies typically meet one or both of two criteria: Causing severe pain, and needing immediate care to prevent serious health consequences. A few examples include:
- Severe toothaches: A throbbing toothache that doesn’t go away after a day may be the result of an advanced dental infection.
- Broken teeth: Large chips, cracks that run beneath the gumline, and damage that exposes the soft pulp inside the tooth to the oral environment can lead to infection and tooth loss.
- Loose adult teeth: A permanent tooth that is wiggling around in the gum tissue is at severe risk of being permanently lost.
- Dislodged teeth: A knocked-out tooth’s chances of being successfully reimplanted begin to fall after about thirty minutes, so it’s important to have this issue treated promptly. If you have an ADA-approved tooth preservation kit, you can use it to keep your tooth in savable condition for up to twenty-four hours.
- Dental abscesses: The sudden appearance of a soft, warm, painful bump on the gums is often a sign of a severe soft-tissue infection that can lead to tooth loss.
What Happens During Emergency Dental Appointments?
The first step to receiving an emergency dental appointment is to call your dentist’s office, explain the situation, and let them know that you’re coming. When you arrive at the office, you will be checked in and receive an oral exam. After your dentist identifies the problem, it may be possible to address the issue in the same appointment. However, you will probably receive pain relievers or antibiotics to control the discomfort and infection and be scheduled for an appropriate treatment on an upcoming day. If necessary, you may be referred to a specialist.
A dental emergency can lead to serious oral health issues if it is not addressed in a timely manner. Seeing your dentist for care when you need it can save you from suffering as well as the expense of more costly treatments.
About the Practice
Ponte Vedra Family Dentistry offers the finest oral care in Ponte Vedra Beach. Lead by Drs. Josh Perry and Kristen De Bonis, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys courteous and compassionate treatment in a clean and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, dial (904) 280-1200. For non-urgent inquiries, contact the office online.