Every year, millions of people visit a hospital emergency room for dental issues. While these visits can result in effective treatment and pain relief, there is also a risk that some of the dental issues will worsen over time without prompt attention. While most hospitals do not have dedicated dental emergency rooms, urgent care facilities are equipped to treat common oral health concerns and provide rapid relief for toothaches, swelling and bleeding.
It is important to understand the difference between a real dental emergency and an issue that could wait until your next scheduled appointment. Almost any dental issue that causes severe pain or that may endanger the integrity of the teeth and gums is considered to be a dental emergency. This includes broken or knocked-out teeth, loose or dislodged teeth and a toothache that cannot be relieved by over-the-counter medications.
Some of the most common dental emergencies include a cracked or chipped tooth, which can expose the nerve, and an infected or abscessed tooth that may require immediate treatment to alleviate painful symptoms and prevent further damage. A serious injury to the mouth or jaw is another reason for emergency dental care, and this can occur from a variety of causes, including playing sports, work-related accidents, car crashes and even rough play at home.
Other dental emergencies include an injured or lost tooth, and any problem with existing dental work such as crowns and bridges. A lost or broken filling or a broken wire on braces is considered to be an urgent dental concern because it can lead to further tooth decay, damage other teeth or even affect the ability to chew.
In general, any tooth issue that causes pain, swelling and/or bleeding is considered a dental emergency. Those symptoms can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation if left untreated. However, other oral conditions such as a gum infection can also cause pain and knots in the gums, and may even be fatal if left untreated.
Gum infections are often treated by dentists, but in some cases, the condition may require urgent care. Urgent care providers can offer pain relief, antibiotics and other necessary treatments to help you feel better.
Generally, an emergency dentist will be able to assess the situation and recommend a course of action. Depending on the severity of your situation, you may be referred to a specialist such as an oral surgeon or endodontist, who will perform more in-depth procedures to repair and save your tooth. If the condition is too severe for any type of dentistry, an emergency dentist will refer you to a local hospital’s emergency department or another local dental practice that offers emergency services. While it is not ideal to be in the hospital, this is a safe and effective way to receive treatment for dental emergencies that cannot be addressed at an urgent care clinic. For most, the main objective of any dental emergency is to get pain and swelling under control as soon as possible. If you need the help of an emergency dentist in Torrance visit https://www.thetorrancedentist.net/.