What are the Most Common Dental Emergencies?

Dental emergencies are oral problems that require immediate treatment. When such issues occur, waiting a couple of weeks for an appointment is simply not an option. Dealing with the pain created by the problem for that long is not something most patients are willing to do. That is where an emergency dentist comes in. These professionals provide immediate treatment to those dealing with a dental emergency.

Issues often classified as dental emergencies

Here are some common oral problems that count as a dental emergency:

1. An infection

One of the symptoms of an infected tooth is severe tooth pain: the type that makes it impossible to get any sleep at night or think about anything else besides the pain during the day. Signs a tooth might be infected include:

• Swelling
• A pimple on the gums near the tooth
• Fever
• Increased sensitivity

An infection is typically treated with a root canal. In some cases, if the infection is threatening to spread to other areas, an extraction might be recommended. The extracted tooth can be replaced with a dental implant afterward.

2. A badly damaged tooth

Teeth are the strongest part of the body, but they can be damaged by trauma, especially when they have already been weakened by decay. A tooth might become damaged when biting on something hard like hard candy, and it can also be damaged by hard contact to the mouth as a result of an accident or sports. When a tooth has been broken, cracked or fractured, failing to get the necessary treatment makes the tooth susceptible to infection.

3. A tooth comes out of its socket

If enough force is applied to a tooth, it will come out of its socket. A tooth is more likely to fall out if it is already in a weakened state due to tooth decay or some other issue. A knocked out tooth is a scary thing that can leave the toughest of us in shock. However, the tooth can be reattached if the person finds the tooth and sees a dentist within a few hours. It is best to run some water over the tooth to clean it, then soak it in milk or saliva while transporting it to the dentist.

4. Jaw injury and pain

Many injuries to the jaw count as dental emergencies that require immediate treatment. Such an injury would affect a person's ability to perform simple tasks like speaking and chewing, and it is often accompanied by lots of pain. A jaw injury can be caused by a variety of dental issues like an infection, tooth decay and advanced gum disease. It can also be caused by trauma to the jaw.

Never ignore a dental emergency

If you are dealing with any of the issues listed above, you need emergency dental care. Stop by our San Antonio office for fast treatment for any dental issue today.

Request an appointment here: https://www.preferreddentalcenter.com or call Preferred Dental Center at (210) 822-8500 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.

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