Have the gums surrounding your tooth become swollen and red? Perhaps you’ve suffered a chipped or broken tooth.

Minor damage can get worse if you do not take the time to go in for regular check-ups. Delays in seeking immediate dental care can result in infections and other risks. Also, there are certain dental issues that can happen in an emergency without much warning.

This guide will help you identify problems that demand emergency dentistry. These are four common dental issues that you may be suffering from right now.

Keep reading to learn more!

What is Emergency Dentistry?

Emergency dentistry is a branch of dental care that specializes in handling urgent dental problems. It is necessary to preserve a patient’s oral health. Emergency dentistry helps to reduce the amount of pain, speed up recovery, and reduce the need for more complicated treatments.

Types of Dental Problems to Not Overlook

It is vital not to overlook certain types of dental problems. Especially if they are severe or require urgent care. Emergency dentistry should be utilized for complicated or specific dental problems that can’t be treated through normal visits. Some of the issues you should never ignore include the following:

1. Serious Toothaches

Serious toothaches should never be taken lightly, as they are a symptom of something bigger at play. With emergency dentistry, it is possible to diagnose the cause of the toothache and provide immediate relief. If a serious toothache persists for more than a few days, it should be examined as soon as possible in case of a possible infection.

Ignoring a serious toothache can cause more serious health issues. Visit your local dentist office right away if you experience this dental problem.

2. Knocked-out Teeth

If a tooth is knocked out, it needs to be handled gently, and the patient must seek professional assistance immediately. Do not clean the tooth or try to re-implant it. Instead, it should be gently placed in a clean container and brought with them to the dentist.

Leaving a knocked-out tooth untreated can lead to infection, decay, and permanent damage if not treated quickly and correctly.

3. Broken Dental Appliance

When dental pieces become broken, they can cause further damage to your teeth, gums, and mouth. In some cases, a broken dental appliance can make it difficult to speak, or eat or even lead to a severe toothache or infection. You should never ignore any damage to a dental appliance and instead contact your dentist right away.

4. Dental Abscesses

A dental abscess is a pocket of infection caused by bacteria. Left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the body and become life-threatening. It is important to seek emergency dentistry if you suspect that you have an abscessed tooth.

Treatment often includes antibiotics to kill the infection and a root canal to help restore the damaged tooth.

The Importance of Emergency Dentistry

Emergency dentistry can be an invaluable resource — don’t hesitate to visit a dentist if you have a dental emergency or find yourself faced with a potential issue. Contact your dentist or your closest emergency dentistry provider today if you are experiencing any of the four issues discussed in this article. The sooner you get treatment, the healthier your teeth and gums will be in the long run.

Check out our blog for more informative content if you find this article helpful.