Urgent Care
You think of the dentist first when you experience a toothache due to tooth decay or another factor. But, imagine if the problem occurs while enjoying your weekend, holiday, or while sleeping. It's a dental emergency, but you cannot get to the dentist. In such a situation, you might need urgent dental care.
Let's understand what urgent dental care consists of and when you need it.
What is Urgent Dental Care?
Urgent Dental Care simply means managing dental conditions that require immediate attention. It is performed to obtain relief from high-level pain, limit the risk of infection, or eliminate the burden of hospital emergency rooms.
You might also get urgent dental care in a private dental clinic. These clinics are available for immediate dental services like sore gums or jaws, toothaches, chipped teeth, or a lost filling.
When You Need Urgent Care?
As discussed earlier, urgent care is required when you are experiencing the need for a dental emergency. While some might need a visit to the emergency room, others can be treated at home. Urgent care is required during:
- Excessive bleeding
- Bacterial infection on cellulite or diffuse soft tissue, along with severe infection inside and outside the mouth, leads to breathing issues.
- Injury to the facial bone can cause difficulty passing air through the airway.
- Furthermore, if you are bleeding, vomiting, have a very high fever, experiencing dizziness, or breathing heavily, you need urgent care.
Precautions Taken for Urgent Care
For urgent dental care, you might follow the tips given below:
- If your tooth is worn-off, it is advisable to keep them moist all the time. If possible, try to place it back in the socket without touching the root. If you cannot perform it, keep it wet until you reach the dental office.
- If the tooth is cracked, it is suggested to rinse it immediately with warm water. Also, use cold compression to avoid swelling on the face.
- If you accidentally bite your tongue or lips, gently pat it with a cold compress after cleaning it with water.
- It is a strict no to aspirin when experiencing a severe toothache. In such a scenario, you need to use warm water to rinse your mouth and remove any stuck food debris with dental floss.
- Getting urgent care will prevent your teeth from infection and severe dental problems.
I Have A Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, and when they do, seeking immediate care is crucial to prevent further complications and discomfort. Whether caused by injury, infection, or sudden pain, certain dental issues require prompt attention from a dentist or urgent care provider. Here’s a look at some of the common dental emergency situations that can be treated with urgent care.
Severe Toothache
A severe toothache is one of the most common reasons people seek urgent dental care. Toothaches can result from various factors, including tooth decay, infection, or trauma. When the pain becomes unbearable, it’s important to seek treatment right away, as this may indicate an underlying problem such as an abscess or nerve damage. Urgent care for a toothache can involve pain relief, diagnosis, and temporary or permanent solutions like root canals or extractions, depending on the severity.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Accidents, falls, or biting down on hard objects can cause teeth to break or chip. While minor chips may not always require immediate care, larger breaks that expose the tooth’s inner layers should be treated promptly. In urgent care, a dentist can assess the damage and provide a temporary filling or bond to protect the tooth. More severe fractures may require crowns or, in extreme cases, extractions if the tooth cannot be saved.
Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)
A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate attention. If you act quickly, there’s a chance the tooth can be reinserted into the socket. Here’s what to do: gently rinse the tooth without touching the root and try to place it back in its original position. If that’s not possible, keep it in a container of milk or saliva and head to the dentist right away. Urgent dental care aims to save the tooth if treatment occurs within one hour of the injury.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a severe infection that forms at the root of a tooth or between the gum and tooth. It often causes significant pain, swelling, and sensitivity, and can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Urgent care for an abscess typically involves draining the infection and prescribing antibiotics to prevent further complications. In some cases, a root canal or tooth extraction may be necessary to fully resolve the issue.
Lost or Damaged Dental Restorations (Crowns, Fillings, or Bridges)
Losing a crown, filling, or bridge can leave your tooth vulnerable to further damage and sensitivity. It’s important to seek urgent dental care to prevent discomfort and protect the exposed tooth. In most cases, a temporary solution can be provided until a permanent replacement is created. The dentist may use temporary fillings or re-cement crowns to protect the tooth while you wait for a more durable fix.
Gum Injuries or Bleeding
Injuries to the gums, such as cuts or excessive bleeding, require urgent care, especially if the bleeding does not stop after applying pressure. Gum injuries can occur from accidents, brushing too hard, or oral trauma. In urgent care, the dentist will clean the area, assess the severity of the injury, and provide stitches if needed. Uncontrolled bleeding may also indicate a more serious underlying issue, such as gum disease or a blood clotting disorder, which requires professional evaluation.
Infection or Swelling
Swelling in the face, gums, or jaw can indicate a serious dental infection or abscess. This type of infection requires immediate attention, as it can spread rapidly and cause systemic problems. Signs of infection may include fever, swelling, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing. Urgent care can help manage the infection through drainage, antibiotics, and addressing the root cause of the swelling.
Loose or Dislodged Tooth
A tooth that has become loose or partially dislodged due to trauma requires prompt attention to increase the chances of saving it. If treated quickly, a dentist may be able to reposition the tooth and secure it using splints. Over time, the tooth may reattach to the bone with the proper stabilization techniques.
Jaw Injuries or Pain
Jaw injuries, such as fractures or dislocations, require immediate care from both dental professionals and sometimes oral surgeons. Trauma to the jaw can impact your ability to open and close your mouth, chew, or speak properly. Additionally, conditions like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction can cause severe jaw pain, which can be managed with urgent care treatments that alleviate pain and inflammation.
Orthodontic Emergencies
Patients with braces or other orthodontic appliances may experience dental emergencies, such as broken wires or loose brackets. These issues can cause discomfort or injury to the soft tissues in the mouth. Urgent care in such cases involves fixing or temporarily securing the damaged appliance to prevent further injury until a full repair can be made.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
If you experience a dental emergency, it’s important to act quickly. Here are steps to follow:
Assess the Situation: Determine the severity of the emergency. If you’re in severe pain, have significant bleeding, or a tooth has been knocked out, seek urgent care immediately.
Manage Pain: Use over-the-counter pain relievers and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling while you wait for professional help.
Contact a Dentist: Reach out to your dentist or an emergency dental clinic for advice and to arrange immediate care.
Protect the Tooth: In cases of knocked-out or fractured teeth, follow proper handling procedures to increase the chances of saving the tooth.
FAQ
1. What is considered a dental emergency that requires urgent care?
A dental emergency includes severe toothaches, knocked-out teeth, broken or chipped teeth, dental abscesses, lost crowns or fillings, gum injuries, and excessive bleeding. If you are in significant pain or at risk of infection, you should seek urgent dental care immediately.
2. What should I do if I knock out a tooth?
If you knock out a tooth, try to gently place it back into the socket. If that’s not possible, keep it in a container of milk or saliva and see a dentist within an hour for the best chance of saving the tooth. The sooner you get to urgent care, the higher the likelihood the tooth can be reinserted.
3. How can I manage pain before reaching urgent care?
Before reaching urgent care, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to manage pain. Applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek can help reduce swelling. Avoid chewing or putting pressure on the affected area until you receive professional care.
4. Will urgent care perform a permanent solution to my dental problem?
Urgent care typically focuses on relieving pain and stabilizing the situation. Temporary solutions, such as fillings, pain management, or temporary crowns, may be provided. You may need a follow-up appointment with your regular dentist for a permanent solution, such as a root canal, crown, or bridge.
5. How soon should I see a dentist after experiencing a dental emergency?
You should seek dental care as soon as possible, especially if you are experiencing severe pain, have a knocked-out or broken tooth, or are facing an infection. In most cases, dental emergencies should be treated within 24 to 48 hours to prevent further complications.
TruCare Dental offers painless tooth extraction by our cosmetic dentist Dr. Le and her team of dental assistants. Please contact us to make an appointment.
