Urgent Care Dental Care – When to See an Emergency Dentist

Urgent care is a great option for illnesses and injuries that can’t wait until the next day or for your primary care physician to see you. It is also ideal for non-life-threatening medical issues.

Urgent care centers offer shorter wait times than ERs and typically cost less. However, the person treating you may not be a doctor.

What is an Emergency?

While prevention through regular dental care is the best way to preserve your oral health, emergencies can arise that require immediate treatment. Emergency dental care focuses on treating critical issues, such as severe pain and infections. It also addresses concerns like cracked teeth or a knocked out tooth. Without prompt treatment, these issues can lead to long-term damage to your oral health.

Common reasons for an emergency dentist Youngsville LA trip to the dentist include a chipped tooth or a broken crown or filling. These problems can occur during physical sports, while playing a musical instrument or during any other kind of accident.

The most important thing is not to ignore the problem. Instead, take measures to ease the discomfort until you can get into the dentist. You should avoid foods that are brittle and be careful when drinking to prevent further damage. If the ailment persists, contact a 24-Hour Dentist for help. The service will connect you with a dentist close to home that can handle your needs.

Toothache

If a toothache is present, it’s important to visit a dentist. A toothache generally signals dental decay, infection or some other serious problem. Rinsing with cold or warm water and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever can help until you’re able to get in to see a dentist.

Your dentist will examine your mouth and may take X-rays to determine the cause of the toothache. If it is due to dental decay, your dentist will likely remove the decay and put in a filling. If it’s an infection, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics.

Tooth pain can be a sharp or dull ache, constant or sporadic. It may be confined to one specific area of the tooth or it may spread throughout the jaw and even into the ear on the same side of your head. The pain can also be throbbing or pulsating. If the pain lasts for more than two days, you need to see a dentist immediately.

Tooth Damage

Severe pain or any type of dental trauma can be considered an emergency dentist Youngsville LA if it is not treated quickly. Tooth damage can be a result of a variety of factors, including a knocked out tooth (which must be restored as soon as possible to increase the chance of saving it). Other causes include small cracks in teeth that need filling, or broken or missing restorations like crowns and bridges.

Abnormal bleeding from the gums is also a common emergency, as is an infection in the tooth pulp. If an infected pulp is left untreated it can lead to serious complications, including root canal infections and even loss of the tooth. Finally, orthodontic emergencies such as loose or broken wires can be considered a dental emergency, especially when they poke into the cheek, tongue, or gums. If you have a wire in your braces that has become loose or broken, try covering it with a piece of gauze or a small cotton ball until you can schedule an emergency appointment.

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is not considered an emergency dentist Youngsville LA, but it should be taken seriously as it can lead to severe pain. If you are experiencing sudden sharp pain or a “zing” through the teeth when eating hot, cold, sugary or acidic foods or drinks then it is time to consult with our dental team to determine the cause of the discomfort.

Your teeth are made from a hard material called dentin, which is covered by a protective enamel layer. The dentin contains microscopic tubules that connect to your nerve centre, so when the enamel is eroded or damaged (by gum recession, for example) the nerves become exposed. This results in tooth sensitivity, which can be triggered by temperatures, chemicals or even brushing too vigorously.

The good news is that sensitive teeth can be treated with fluoride gels, rinses or varnishes that provide a barrier to the painful triggers. You can also avoid the problem by eating slowly, avoiding cold or acidic foods and drinking through a straw.