Dental emergencies can strike at any moment, causing discomfort, pain, or anxiety. These situations require immediate treatment, whether it's an urgent toothache or a broken teeth hours before a meeting. An emergency dentist provides immediate care in order to relieve pain, prevent further damage and provide definitive dental solutions.
What Does an Emergency Dentist Do?
An emergency dentist specializes in addressing urgent dental situations. Unlike regular dentists who operate on appointments during regular office hours, emergency dentists offer services outside typical working hours, including late evenings, weekends, and holidays. They prioritize cases according to their severity and provide prompt treatment to ease pain and discomfort.
Emergency dentistry is a broad field that covers a wide range of dental issues. Dental emergencies include broken, chipped or knocked out teeth, severe toothaches and lost dental crowns or fillings, abscesses and oral infections, as well as injuries to soft tissue such the lips, cheeks and gums.
Why Do You Need an Emergency Dentist?
Time is of the essence when it comes to dental emergencies. Immediate attention can prevent complications, limit damage, and, in some cases, even save a teeth.
With a knocked-out tooth, for instance, immediate intervention can make the difference between saving and losing the tooth. The dentist may be able to replant the tooth if you seek help within 30-60 minutes.
Severe toothaches can indicate a hidden problem, such as an abscess or infection. Ignoring the pain can lead to an infection that worsens, posing more serious health risks including sepsis. An emergency dentist will provide immediate relief, identify the cause, and develop a treatment plan.
How to handle a dental emergency
Until you can reach an emergency dentist, there are steps you can take to Emergency Dentist Beverly Hills, CA manage the situation better. Rinse the tooth gently, without touching the roots, and place it back into the socket. If this is not possible, place it in a small glass container with milk. This helps maintain the right balance of cell growth factor necessary for reimplantation.
If you have a severe toothache, use dental floss and warm water to rinse your mouth. Pain relievers over-the-counter can help ease pain, but should not be used near the aching teeth as they may burn the gum tissue.
Finding an Emergency Dentist
Having the contact of an emergency dentist on hand is crucial; it can save you from losing precious time in seeking help during a crisis. Ask your regular dentist if they provide emergency services. If not, request them for recommendations. Search engines and local directories can also be excellent resources. Look for dentists with good reviews and check if they accept your dental insurance plan.
Remember, dental emergencies are often unpredictable. It's essential to maintain regular dental check-ups to prevent potential issues. Good oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing frequently, avoiding foods that can break or crack teeth, and wearing mouthguards while playing sports, can help prevent many dental emergencies.
In the realm of health care, an emergency dentist plays a crucial role by providing immediate relief in unscheduled, painful situations. They are the first line in preventing damage from dental emergencies and protecting the oral health of individuals.