What Counts as a Dental Emergency? A Guide for Bedford Patients
A dental emergency can encompass a wide variety of situations. From injuries to severe toothaches, some problems require urgent treatment. The sooner a dental emergency is treated, the better the outcome will likely be.
But how do you know what counts as a dental emergency? When do you seek professional treatment? Here’s a guide for patients in Bedford, NH and the surrounding area from the experts at Braasch OMS.
How to Recognize an Emergency
The first step in any dental emergency is to assess the situation to determine if it is truly an emergency. Here’s what to look for:
- Severe pain that persists even after taking over the counter pain medication
- Excessive bleeding that does not stop
- Loose or knocked out teeth
- Deep cut or laceration in soft tissue of the tongue, lip, or cheek
In any of these situations, seek prompt treatment from a qualified dental professional.
Signs of a Life-Threatening Emergency
A dental emergency can escalate to a serious emergency quickly. If the situation becomes life threatening, call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department. Here are the signs:
- Significant blood loss
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
Examples of Common Dental Emergencies
The following are common situations that would be considered severe enough to seek emergency dental treatment:
- Infected tooth. A toothache or pain coming from a certain tooth often indicates an infection.
- Broken tooth. If a large piece of tooth breaks off or the tooth splits in half, seek immediate treatment. A small chip can often wait until the next day.
- Loose permanent tooth. A permanent tooth that becomes loose is a sign of a problem. Teeth may loosen due to trauma or advanced stage gum disease.
- Knocked out tooth. A knocked out tooth can often be put back in place successfully with fast action. Either put the tooth back in the socket or store it in saliva or milk until you reach the dental office.
- Soft tissue injury. A cut on the tongue, lip, cheek, or gums can require treatment if it is deep enough. If you’re not sure, contact a dental professional.
- Jaw injury. A jaw injury can be serious, even resulting in a broken jaw. Seek treatment immediately to confirm or rule out a fracture.
Treatment for Dental Emergencies
- Root canal therapy. A tooth that is infected, broken, or damaged may need root canal therapy to treat the tooth from the inside.
- Dental splints. Loose or knocked out teeth may need to be splinted to the other teeth for support while the support structures heal.
- Dental crowns. A tooth that has been treated with a root canal will likely need a crown, especially in the case of a broken tooth.
- Jaw surgery. A broken jaw will most likely need surgery to realign the bones and provide stability for proper healing.
If in Doubt, Don’t Wait
If you’re not sure whether the situation is an emergency, call Braasch OMS at 603-657-1984 to speak to someone. After hours please leave a message and someone will contact you shortly. We will listen and ask some questions to assess the severity of the situation and make a recommendation for the best course of action.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies
Why contact an oral surgeon for a dental emergency?
Many dental emergencies require surgical treatment. Braasch OMS is equipped to provide the necessary treatment for dental emergencies of all kinds.
How long can a tooth survive out of the socket?
It is best to reimplant a tooth within 30 minutes of the time it is knocked out. However, if kept moist in saliva, milk, or a tooth preservation kit, it may survive for up to an hour. This is why prompt treatment is key.
Braasch OMS provides expert oral surgery services in a comfortable, state of the art facility. We put patients at ease by handling dental emergencies with calm and professional treatment. To learn more about us or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.