Posted: January 28, 2023
Emergency dental services are an essential aspect of general dentistry. Imagine someone playing hockey with their friends. They take a hit, lose their footing and smack into the ice face first. Accidents like this happen all the time and many times those people need immediate care and treatment. Other emergencies range from a toothache or abscess to a broken or knocked-out tooth, and can occur at any time, often without warning.
What Do You Do First?
The first step in receiving emergency dental care is to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Many dental offices offer emergency services during regular business hours and may also have an emergency phone number for after-hours care. If you’re unable to reach your dentist, you can also seek care at a local emergency room or urgent care center.
Common Emergencies
The thing about emergencies is that they can come out of nowhere. They’re inherently unexpected! So what does a dental emergency look like?
- Toothache
- Broken tooth
- Knocked-out tooth
- Abscess
- Infected teeth
- Injury
Toothache
One of the most common dental emergencies is a toothache. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including cavities, gum disease, or a damaged filling. If you are experiencing a toothache, it is important to contact your dentist as soon as possible for an examination and treatment. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics, pain medication, or recommend a root canal or extraction.
Broken and Knocked-Out Tooth
Another common emergency is a broken or knocked-out tooth. This can occur due to an accident or injury, and requires immediate attention to increase the chances of saving the tooth. If the tooth is knocked out, it is important to handle it carefully and try to place it back into the socket, if possible. If the tooth cannot be placed back into the socket, it can be helpful to store it in milk or saliva to be taken to your dentist as soon as possible.
Abscesses and Infected Teeth
Abscesses, or infected teeth or gums, are also considered dental emergencies. These can be extremely painful and can lead to serious health complications if not treated promptly. Many patients are prescribed antibiotics or have a root canal or extraction recommended.
Have a Plan
It’s important to have a plan in place for dental emergencies. We recommend keeping contact information readily available, and know what to do in case of a knocked-out tooth or other emergency. And great news, by reading this blog, you’re one step ahead in the event of an emergency.
Regular check-ups and preventative measures can be a huge help to avoid these emergencies. It is important to have a plan in place and know how to handle a dental emergency when it occurs. For more information schedule a consultation with Dr. Schick by calling our offices at 403-407-5730.
*all procedures performed at our practice by a general dentist
