Dental Emergency
A dental emergency can encompass various situations that require immediate attention or treatment from a dentist or dental professional. Some common dental emergencies include:
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Toothache: Severe and persistent toothaches can be a sign of an underlying issue, such as an infection or a dental abscess, which requires prompt attention.
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Chipped or Broken Tooth: If a tooth is chipped or broken, especially if it causes pain or exposes the nerve, it's considered a dental emergency.
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Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth): If a tooth gets completely knocked out, try to preserve it in milk or saliva and seek immediate dental care. The chances of saving the tooth are higher if it's re-implanted within an hour or so.
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Lost Filling or Crown: Losing a filling or crown can expose sensitive dental tissues. A dentist may need to replace the filling or crown to protect the tooth.
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Abscess or Swelling: Dental abscesses are painful infections around a tooth's root or in the gums. Swelling, fever, and severe pain can accompany them, and they require immediate treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.
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Severe Gum Bleeding: Profuse or persistent gum bleeding can indicate a serious issue, such as gum disease or an injury, that requires immediate attention.
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Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth can become impacted, causing pain, swelling, and infection. If the pain is severe or if there are signs of infection, it's considered an emergency.
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Jaw Injury or Fracture: Any injury to the jaw, such as a fracture or dislocation, should be treated as a dental emergency, as it can affect breathing, speaking, and eating.
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Severe Mouth or Tongue Injury: Deep cuts or lacerations inside the mouth or on the tongue may require immediate medical attention to control bleeding and prevent infection.
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Orthodontic Emergencies: Issues with orthodontic appliances, like braces or wires, can cause discomfort and require urgent attention to prevent further problems.
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Painful, Persistent Ulcers or Lesions: If you have a painful sore or lesion in your mouth that doesn't heal or gets worse, it should be examined by a dentist to rule out serious conditions.
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Foreign Object Lodged in Teeth or Gums: If something gets stuck between your teeth or lodged in your gums and you can't remove it, it may cause pain or damage that necessitates dental care.
In any of these situations, it's important to contact a dental professional as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment. Dental emergencies should not be ignored, as prompt intervention can prevent complications and alleviate pain and discomfort. If an emergency occurs outside of regular office hours, many dentists have emergency contact information available for after-hours care.
At Zealous Dental, we provide the same-day appointment for all dental emergency, you may call our office at 513-285-4691 for a same-day appointment.