An emergency dental appointment should not be booked for routine care. As the name suggests, an emergency dentist is there to provide work that cannot wait. Therefore, if you want help with professional teeth whitening or a general check-up, for example, you should not waste time with an emergency appointment. Emergency dentists need to keep slots open for people who need treatment without delay. As such, what truly constitutes an emergency dental problem? Read on to find out whether it would be appropriate to book an appointment with an emergency dentist.
Knocked-Out Teeth
Perhaps the most clear-cut case of when you need an emergency appointment with your dentist is if a tooth has been knocked out. Please note that this is not the case for children because their milk teeth will fall out quite naturally, especially if they have had an accident which means the tooth has loosened somewhat. In the case of adults, however, it is a more serious issue. Time is of the essence, and you will only be able to save the tooth if you can see an emergency dentist quickly. Wrap your tooth up in a clean, damp cloth and take it to your dentist with you. Nevertheless, if your mouth is not so swollen that it prevents you from doing so, the best place to put a knocked-out tooth is back in the socket from whence it came. Be careful not to eat while it is in there, however, because this might mean you end up swallowing it.
Severe Toothache
Another reason that it would be okay to call your dentist in an emergency is if you are suffering from toothache. Only a severe toothache is an emergency, though. If you find that your toothache is manageable with over-the-counter painkillers, then it is not an emergency situation. Only if the pain is rising and you have already taken painkillers should you ask for an emergency appointment.
Growing Abscesses
Another reason that you might turn to an emergency dentist is if you have a gum abscess. Oral abscesses are not that uncommon and can be treated in the majority of cases without emergency treatment. However, if yours has been causing a problem with eating and continues to grow, then it could burst. To avoid this unwelcome situation, you should phone your dentist and discuss the problem to see whether or not an emergency appointment would be beneficial in your case.
Dentures, Fillings and Crowns
Finally, you should seek emergency dental care if a filling or a crown has come loose. If you can feel your filling rattling around but it is still in place, then get a normal appointment at the first available date. However, if it has come away completely, then it should be treated as an emergency situation. The same goes for crowns and false teeth that have become damaged or broken.
Contact an emergency dentist to learn more.
Share19 January 2023
Hi! My name is Sarah, and as a busy professional, I understand the importance of making the most of my time. That includes everything from having productive working lunches to making the most of my dental checkups. I have created this blog to help you maximise your dental checkups. In these posts, you can learn how to prepare for your checkup, which questions to ask during your checkup and more. I am also going to have posts explaining why checkups are critical to your dental health as well as the health of your entire body. Happy reading, and thanks for visiting my blog!
