Dental emergencies are sudden situations that you may find yourself in randomly. From a chip in your tooth, lodged food, or a fallen restoration, you might be worried about your oral health. However, with so many scenarios that can happen, you may wonder when you should visit your dentist about them. Here’s a quick guide on what should be seen right away and what can wait until the near future.
Which Dental Emergencies Need to be Seen Right Away?
Starting off, these are incidents that require an urgent visit the same day they happen to fix your smile and prevent further harm:
- Damage, like chips and cracks, should be seen as soon as possible, as they can worsen the longer they are left alone. Bacteria can also cause problems as the integrity of the structure is compromised.
- Dental abscesses are often a result of a tooth infection, but they are an even more serious emergency. Along with serious pain, you might also notice swelling or have a fever.
- Severe toothaches can be frustrating, but your dentist can give you relief. They are often a sign of an infection or cavity, but they need to be corrected right away since they can’t heal on their own.
- Knocked out or loose teeth need to be seen within an hour when they occur. Getting in as soon as possible can improve your odds of saving the structure.
What’s Not an Urgent Dental Emergency?
While the situations above are worrying, there are a few minor ones that aren’t as serious. You should still call your dentist about them, but you may be seen in the near future rather than immediately. Here are a few to know:
- A loose veneer, crown, or other restoration.
- Stuck pieces of food between your teeth.
- Minor dental pain that goes away relatively quickly.
When you do call your provider about these scenarios, they will give you advice on how to handle them until you get into their chair.
So, Should I Call My Emergency Dentist?
In the end, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to your dentist with concerns about your smile. By explaining the situation you’re experiencing, they will be able to explain more about what the next steps are; that way, you feel confident handling it.
About the Practice
Want to do your best to avoid dental emergencies? Our team at Next Door Dental is here for these urgent situations with same-day visits. Led by Dr. Thomas Bagley and Dr. Raul Garcia, we offer a wide range of treatments to provide the effective solution you need for relief. If you want to do your part in avoiding trouble for your grin, schedule an appointment or call our office at 336-854-5850.