Most Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is any urgent situation involving the mouth, teeth, gums, and surrounding facial areas. It can be painful and frightening, but emergency dental care is available.

If you experience a dental emergency, then it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. However, before you pick up the phone to make an appointment, you should assess the situation and determine if you need immediate care.

Common dental emergencies include:

Toothache

A toothache can be a sign of a serious dental emergency. Throbbing pain in the mouth can be a sign of an infection in the pulp. The pulp of a tooth is the inner layer that contains the nerves and blood vessels.

An infection of the pulp can be very painful. A variety of problems can cause a toothache, including:

• Tooth decay
• Cavities
• Broken teeth
• Injury to the mouth
• Gum disease

If you experience a toothache, please try to see the dentist as soon as possible. The sooner dental professionals can treat the problem, the better.

Tooth Damage

If a dental emergency causes tooth damage, Dr. Bishop will need to repair the tooth. If a crown, veneer, or other restoration is broken or knocked out entirely, it will need to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Dr. Bishop can repair damaged restorations in most cases.

Broken Tooth

Although a broken tooth can be caused by trauma, it most often occurs due to a fracture in the tooth’s outer layer. This can be caused by biting down on a hard or sticky substance, such as ice, or from a fall.

A broken tooth should be treated as soon as possible. The dentist may repair the tooth with a crown or a filling. If the tooth is broken below the gum line, the dentist will first need to perform a root canal.

Loose Tooth

A loose tooth can be the result of an injury, decay, or normal wear and tear. Even if the tooth is loose, it should still be treated as soon as possible. Leaving the tooth untreated can lead to complications such as increased pain, swelling, and infection.

A loose tooth may need a splint or crown. A splint may be used to hold the tooth in place. A crown is a cap that fits over the entire tooth. This covers the tooth to prevent further damage and infections.

Chipped or Cracked Tooth

A chipped or cracked tooth can quickly lead to pain, sensitivity, and a higher risk of tooth decay. Fortunately, a dental professional can often repair the damaged tooth with a filling, crown, or veneer.

A crown or veneer will restore the appearance and function of your tooth, while a filling will prevent further decay. In the case of a cracked tooth, a filling or crown will not be sufficient, and your dentist will likely recommend a root canal.

Knocked Out Tooth

If you wake up one morning and find that one of your teeth has been knocked out, do not panic. Your dentist can usually put it back in place. However, you will need to see the dentist as soon as possible.

Your tooth is a delicate structure that requires adequate blood supply and stimulation to remain viable. When a filling or crown is dislodged, the tooth is still attached to the jawbone. This means that, in most cases, your dentist can attach the restoration to the tooth. However, if the tooth has been knocked out of the socket, your dentist needs to replace it as soon as possible. Otherwise, the gum and bone tissue will begin to deteriorate, and the tooth may not be able to be restored.

If you’re experiencing dental discomfort, or if you think you may have a dental emergency, call us right away.

Object Caught Between Teeth

An object caught between teeth can be extremely painful and can cause damage to the teeth. If a tooth is knocked out, it will need to be reset and may need a crown. For an object caught in the tooth, it may be possible to remove the object with dental floss. If it isn’t possible to remove the object with dental floss, the object can be removed with dental forceps. If the object is too large, it can require a dental procedure.

Visit Bishop Family Dental at 2120 E 3900 S #102, Salt Lake City, UT 84124, to consult with our dentist. Contact us at (801) 274-2500 or schedule an appointment online to visit us during our business hours.