Emergencies and accidents often happen in the course of life. You can seek emergency dental services for dental complications the same way you do after experiencing a medical problem and rush to the emergency room. Emergency dentists deal with conditions that cannot wait until you schedule an appointment. Most individuals visit dentists for regular dental checkups or scheduled treatment. However, you may need to make an unexpected visit to your dentist in case of a dental emergency.

If you suffer severe toothache, cracked and chipped teeth, abscessed teeth, or excessive bleeding, you may need immediate dental care to restore your tooth or relieve the discomfort accompanying these conditions. If you need emergency dental care in LA Puente, CA, we invite you to contact La Puente Advanced Dentistry. We offer all types of emergency dentistry services to help relieve the discomfort and pain that accompany dental procedures.

Overview of Emergency Dentistry

At one time or another, you may have experienced extreme tooth pain and faced inconveniences from the situation. Emergency dentistry is a field that deals with dental complications that cannot wait to be resolved during a checkup or a later appointment. When you show up to a dentist with an emergency, you always want to receive treatment right away. This is because most dental emergencies cause discomfort or pain.

Many people find themselves seeking dental services without a plan. If you have suffered an accident that left you in a serious toothache or broke your tooth from a fall, you will require emergency dental services. An emergency dentist is always available to care for these emergencies, even when you do not have an appointment.

Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is an oral condition that cannot wait to be solved by your dentists during an appointment. Emergency room visits for dental complications have increased significantly.  However, not all dental issues are actual emergencies. Therefore, it is always crucial to consult your dentist and determine if your condition can wait a few days to be handled. The following are some of the conditions that may qualify as real dental emergencies:

Severe and Consistent Toothache

Tooth pain is one of the most unbearable forms of pain. Tooth pain may occur for various reasons and may indicate a more serious problem like cavities or severe gum disease. If you are experiencing a consistent and severe toothache, your doctor may seek to identify the problem and solve it. If you experience a toothache that comes suddenly and worsens quickly, it is crucial to seek emergency dentist services. Before you reach your dentist, a cold compress could help you relieve the discomfort that accompanies toothache.

Bleeding From the Mouth

You may experience slight bleeding after a procedure such as a tooth extraction or other invasive dental procedures. However, the bleeding should subside when you apply pressure to the area. If you experience continuous bleeding after a procedure or bleeding of the gums, it would be wise to contact an emergency dentist.

A loose or Knocked-out Tooth

Any impact that causes your tooth to become loose or fall out will require immediate emergency dental care. If you suffer a blow and your tooth is lost, you need to keep it in its socket to avoid losing it. You can do this by biting the loose tooth down. If your tooth is completely knocked out, you can identify the tooth and try to place it back in its socket. 

Alternatively, you can preserve it in a glass of milk and carry it while you seek emergency dental services. If you can reach your dentist within an hour of oozing the tooth, there is a chance that the dentist could put it back. When you have partially knocked out teeth that hang by a thread, the dentist can reattach the tooth if you are taken care of in time.

Tooth Intrusion

Sometimes, an impact on your teeth may cause a tooth or more to move deeper into the gums, resulting in serious pain. Also, you may notice that the tooth is shorter than the rest. Tooth intrusion may cause serious pain to your gums that may result in an infection. Failure to treat this type of injury may cause the tooth to die and fall, among other serious complications.

Chips and Cracks

Chips and cracks on your teeth may be a complicated matter when deciding whether a condition is a dental emergency. When your teeth crack or chip and do not experience any pain, you will not require emergency dental services. A chipped tooth may present a serious issue indicating that the damage is not only on the outside but also on the inner parts of your teeth.

If you have a seriously fractured or chipped tooth, you should seek immediate dental care. Also, you can avoid applying pressure on the area to avoid further damage.

Missing or Loose Dental Restoration

Both temporary and permanent dental restorations may become loose or fall off. Despite the type of restoration you have, loose and fallen restorations will require emergency care. Missing or loose dental restoration is a condition common with temporary procedures. If the fallen restoration is permanent, you may need to bring it in immediately. On the other hand, you can hold a dental restoration with adhesive glue or ChapStick to keep it in place before seeing the dentist.

Soft Tissue Injury

The soft tissues in your mouth include the lips, tongue, inside of the cheeks, and gums. If one of these parts of your mouth suffers a serious injury, you should seek immediate dental care. The soft tissues in your mouth include the lips, tongue, inside of the cheeks, and gums. If one of these parts of our mouth suffers an injury, you will need to contact our emergency dentist for the way forward. Some soft tissue injuries in our mouth may require emergency health care, while others require emergency dental care. A soft tissue injury in the mouth requires a warm water rinse before applying the pressure to stop bleeding.

Post Dental Surgery Complications

Following an invasive dental procedure such as extraction and root canal, you may experience mild pain. If you experience constant pain for two to three days, you should seek emergency dental care. Other post-dental procedure complications that could require emergency dental care include swelling around the site of surgery and bleeding. 

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess will always come to mind when you think of a dental emergency. You develop tooth abscess when a puss-filled gum pocket forms in your mouth, causing an infection. A dental abscess is a life-threatening condition and may cause tooth sensitivity, severe toothache, and fever.

Since an infection in your gums could spread throughout the mouth and cause damage to the teeth and bones supporting them, it is considered a dental emergency. You can relive the pain that comes with a dental abscess and remove the puss from the gum pockets by rinsing your mouth with salty water.

Emergency Dental Procedures

Emergency dental complications need to be resolved as soon as possible, and that is why you cannot wait to book an appointment. If you need immediate treatment to alleviate pain, save a root or stop bleeding, you have a dental emergency in your hands. Procedures perform in emergency dentistry include:

Emergency Tooth Extraction

Emergency tooth extractions are the last option procedure. Dentists will always try to find a solution for your dental problem to save the tooth. However, for some complications, tooth extraction may be the only viable option. Some of the symptoms that indicate that you need an emergency extraction include:

  • Serious gum infections.
  • Impacted wisdom teeth.
  • Root fractures.
  • Serious decay and pain of the tooth. A decayed tooth may be filled or treated with a root canal.

When you visit your emergency dentist with the above symptoms, they will assess your tooth to determine if an extraction is necessary. Tooth extraction is a straightforward dental procedure where the dentist applies local anesthesia and loosening of the tooth until it is retrieved.

Once your tooth extraction surgery ends, you may take not more than a week to recover. During the recovery period, you can experience slight bleeding and pain in the jaw. If you experience extreme bleeding or pain after a tooth extraction, you should seek immediate care.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal therapy is a dental procedure aimed at treating an infected tooth pulp. The pulp is filled with connective tissues and can be infected when your tooth is cracked or has a cavity. Once the pulp is infected, a tooth canal is the only option to save your tooth. When you seek emergency dental care for serious periodontal gum disease or cavities, your dentist may recommend a root canal. Some of the symptoms that may indicate pulp infection and a need for tooth canal include:

  • Severe toothache.
  • Pain when chewing or biting on food.
  • Sensitivity to cold or hot drinks and food.
  • Swelling of the gums.
  • Change in color and shade of your teeth.

Compared to the pain that accompanies pulp infections, the tooth canal is a relatively painless procedure. Even though you can save your tooth by undergoing a tooth canal, you can avoid the complications that prompt this procedure by exercising good oral hygiene.

Tooth Reattachment

When your tooth is knocked out, the dentist may attempt to place it back in the socket. Usually, tooth reattachment is a process you can begin before reaching your doctor’s office.

Dental Fillings

A dental filling is the standard procedure for treating cavities. When your tooth decays, it loses its shape and function. A dental filling is used to restore the shape of your tooth and prevent further disease and damage. Some people seek a dental filling procedure for cosmetic purposes. However, the procedure goes beyond aesthetics. A filling closes the exposed part of the tooth to prevent food particles and bacteria from entering the tooth.

If you have a painful cavity, you should seek emergency dental services. After assessing your condition, they may opt for a dental filling. Even though cavities are the primary reason for needing dental fillings, other reasons like a fractured tooth or small holes in the enamel can prompt the procedure. There are many dental fillings options from which you can choose, including:

  • Tooth-colored composite filling. A composite filling is suitable for you if you spend a long time on cameras or speaking to people. Also, this type of filling is especially beneficial in that less of your natural tooth is removed to fit the material.
  • Silver fillings. Silver fillings may not resemble an original tooth, but they can withstand the pressure from chewing on hard foods and can last up to ten years.
  • Ceramic filling. If you can maintain good oral hygiene, your dentist may recommend ceramic fillings. Although the ceramic filling is expensive, it is worth the money.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Although dental emergencies are unpredictable and may happen for different reasons, there are practices you can adopt to minimize the instances of dental emergencies. If you understand the conditions considered a dental emergency, you can check for signs of these emergencies and change your practices. The following are some steps you can take to decrease the risk of developing a dental complication:

  • It would be best to visit a dentist every six months for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning. Your dentist will assess your teeth and the condition of other dental works to ensure that teeth are strong and healthy. Regular checkups help in the early identification and treatment of potential dental issues.
  • Avoid biting down on hard objects like hard candy or ice cubes. Biting on hard objects will cause unnecessary pressure on your tooth and could cause chips or cracks, which is a dental emergency. Also, biting on hard objects after dental procedures could cause complications with fillings, dental implants, bridges, and even veneers.
  • Practice proper oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene is a significant contributor to dental emergencies. When you fail to clean your teeth and gums, the bacteria and leftover food particles may accumulate, causing tooth decay, dental abscess, periodontal disease, and other dental complications. This could cause bleeding of your gums and severe toothache that could prompt you to seek emergency dental services. Brushing and flossing are crucial to help avoid oral health complications.
  • Practice good nutrition. What you eat contributes a great deal to the status of your oral health. Many dental issues are associated with the intake of surgery foods. When the food particles are trapped between your teeth, they create a conducive environment for the growth of harmful bacteria. The bacteria will then eat through your tooth enamel and roots, causing severe dental complications. You can reduce your risk of developing a dental emergency by avoiding sugary foods and drinks.
  • Wear protective devices when playing sports. Your teeth could suffer cracks and chips if you suffer a blow to your mouth while playing sports. You can avoid tooth damage by wearing a mouth guard or headgear when playing sports to protect your teeth from being knocked out.

Frequently Asked Questions on Emergency Dentistry

A dental emergency may have serious consequences and should never be left untreated. The following are some frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry:

  • How soon should I see a dentist when I have an emergency dental issue?

Immediately you notice a dental injury or serious issues, contact an emergency as soon as possible. Reaching your dentist within thirty minutes of suffering the injury could make a difference between saving and losing your tooth. Also, it can help you relieve the pain and discomfort that accompanies some emergency procedures.

  • How can I address a jaw fracture?

A jaw fracture is a severe dental emergency that should not wait. A jaw fracture may be an indication of a serious and life-threatening head and brain injury. Most jaw fractures result from an impact on your head caused by falls or blows to your head.

  • What should I do with visible gum swelling?

Infection is the leading cause of swelling around your teeth and on the gums. If the area around the swelling is painful, oozes pus, or causes difficulty breathing, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible. This is because gum infections can quickly spread through other parts and cause serious complications.

Find a La Puente Family and Emergency Dentist Near Me

Dental emergencies are often very serious and should not be taken lightly. Emergency dentistry is a service aimed at addressing dental emergencies. Dental emergencies may vary depending on a person and the severity of their case. Something as minor as a chipped tooth may be an emergency to an individual who values their physical appearance. However, there are more apparent emergencies such as bleeding, soft tissue injuries, and toothache that emergency dentists handle.

If you have suffered trauma to your mouth and sustained dental injuries, you need to contact your dentist to help you understand if your situation is a dental emergency. If you or your loved one seeks emergency dental services in La Puente, CA, contact the La Puente Advanced Dentistry. Call us today at 626-626-7075 and allow us to guide you through the restoration of your oral health.