When to Call an Emergency Dentist for Immediate Care

Visiting an emergency dentist is crucial for maintaining your oral health. In some cases, this type of care can even help maintain your general health. Your general dentist can perform immediate treatments when necessary. But knowing when to rush to an emergency dentist can help you get the treatments you need right away.

True dental emergencies

An emergency dentist's help is necessary for specific situations. The individual needs to visit this provider immediately for urgent treatment. Failing to do so may pose serious harm to oral health and general well-being. The following are true dental emergencies that need proper interventions right away.

Knocked-out tooth

This situation needs the attention of an emergency dentist. Immediate action must begin with the patient by locating the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown. Refrain from removing fragments from the root. Never scrub the roots. Place the root in some saliva or milk.

The tooth must be alive while driving to the emergency dentist's clinic. Reimplanting the tooth must happen within the first hour of the accident. The chances of a successful reimplantation increase if the patient arrives extra early. The patient will likely go home with a complete smile.

Continuous bleeding

Bleeding can result from underlying health issues. It can also occur because of trauma. Uncontrolled bleeding can also occur if complications have started to develop after surgery. The emergency dentist can take over once the patient arrives.

The patient must hold a sterile gauze on the bleeding area. Applying gentle pressure can help stop the bleeding. This can happen while driving to the emergency dentist's practice. Although this situation is painful, the patient must not take aspirin. This medication has anticoagulant properties. Bleeding will only worsen if the patient takes aspirin.

Intense dental swelling and pain

Facial swelling with throbbing dental pain is a definite sign of severe infection. The symptoms suggest a developed abscess. This infection could spread to other parts of the body. That is why an emergency dentist must treat it right away. It could be quite alarming, especially if the swelling spreads to the neck or jaw. There are cases where the patient even has eye swelling with throbbing pain.

Throbbing dental pain may also occur with labored breathing. The patient may also be having trouble swallowing. The emergency dentist needs to see this patient right away. The symptoms may also indicate a serious infection.

High fever

The patient may also develop a high fever. This symptom is a classic sign of infection. Use ice packs to lower the patient's temperature during the drive to the emergency dentist. Keep the patient comfortable.

Mouth and facial trauma

A patient with significant facial trauma must see an emergency dentist. The soft tissues, even the teeth and jaws, need a thorough check. This assessment will determine the extent of the damage. Working with other healthcare professionals may be necessary.