Emergency dentistry is a type of dentistry that focuses on treating patients who experience a dental emergency. If you happen to have any dental emergencies, you’ll want to be able to get the care that you need as soon as possible.
Many patients don’t experience a true dental emergency, so it’s important to know when to call your dentist. Generally, dental emergencies include:
Knocked-Out Tooth
If you knock out a tooth, it’s important to get it replaced quickly. Even for a permanent tooth, you’ll still need to visit the dentist within the hour (possibly less) for the best chances of saving it. If you can, rinse off the tooth and put it back in the mouth, but make sure you keep it from touching anything else. If that’s not possible, keep the tooth in milk or saliva.
Broken Tooth
A broken tooth can happen when you bite down on something hard, such as ice, nuts, or candy. It can also happen when you fall, hit your face, or experience other facial trauma. You should call your dentist immediately if you break a tooth.
When you go to see the dentist, they will be able to determine whether the tooth can be saved. If it is, they will likely treat it by placing a dental crown over it. This will help protect it and keep it from breaking again.
Chipped Tooth
Chipped teeth are common dental emergencies. The outer layer of a tooth is called the veneer. It is made of a material called enamel. Enamel is extremely strong, but it can still be chipped or broken.
When a tooth is chipped, the enamel may be fractured as well. When this occurs, the inner, more sensitive layer of the tooth is vulnerable to exposure. This can cause extreme pain and sensitivity.
If a chipped tooth is left untreated, it may become infected. This can cause further complications.
Severe Toothache
Toothache isn’t always a sign that something’s wrong. However, if you have severe symptoms, it could be a sign that there’s something going on inside your tooth.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can help temporarily with the pain. If your symptoms don’t subside, schedule an appointment with your dentist.
To find out more about the dental services we offer at Elite Dental, West St. Paul, MN, call (952) 432-1716 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 7300 147th St., W., Suite 108, West St. Paul, MN.
