What is emergency dentistry?
Dental emergencies are any type of oral injury or illness that requires immediate care. If you don’t get help soon, you could be at risk of losing a tooth or needing complex and expensive dental work in the future.
Even if a tooth has been knocked out, the Glen Dental Center team might be able to preserve it if you keep it safe and arrive for treatment quickly.
For these reasons, Glen Dental Center can treat particularly severe dental emergencies for their regular patients on the very same day. They keep appointment slots open to accommodate unpredictable oral injuries that need immediate care.
If same-day appointments are unavailable, the team gets you in for care as quickly as possible for the best outcome. After-hours care is available for you if you’ve received care at Glen Dental Center in the past.
What would indicate that I have a dental emergency?
Several signs indicate you have a dental emergency that requires immediate care, while others might seem mild at first. If you’re unsure of whether your injury requires emergency dental care, use your best judgment or call Glen Dental Center for guidance.
Some definite signs of a dental emergency are:
- A loose adult tooth
- Severe tooth pain
- Signs of an abscess (pus or fever)
- Swelling in your jaw
- Excessive bleeding
- A knocked-out tooth
- A large chip or crack
If your mouth takes the full force of an impact during an accident, a dental emergency is likely to occur. Even if the damage isn’t obvious, the impact could cause an injury inside your tooth that requires immediate attention to avoid further damage.
How can I avoid needing emergency dentistry?
Emergencies aren’t always predictable or avoidable. But you can take a few steps to minimize your chances of experiencing some dental emergencies. The team at Glen Dental Center recommends that you:
- Attend your dental exams
- Replace your fillings as soon as possible if they come loose
- Wear a mouthguard while playing sports
- Avoid chewing on solid objects
- Keep sharp objects away from your mouth
- Avoid using your teeth as scissors
In the event of an emergency dental injury, you must keep the injured tooth clean and safe whether it’s inside or outside of your mouth. The Glen Dental Center team can give you other tips for avoiding injuries at your next visit.
In the event of an unforeseeable dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call Glen Dental Center to book the next available appointment.
