Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Dental emergencies can strike anywhere and anytime, even when help is difficult. Below are examples of dental emergencies and tips to get relevant help.

Examples of Dental Emergencies

Any oral health problem that requires immediate care is a dental emergency. However, the following three are common.

1. Broken Tooth

A broken tooth may be an emergency, depending on the damage's severity. For example, a chipped tooth where only the enamel is affected does not require immediate dental care. You can make a regular appointment for help.

However, consider emergency dental care if the breakage affects the inner tooth structures. For example, an accident that splits the tooth to its roots is painful and risks infection. Seek immediate dental care in such a case.

2. Loose or Knocked Out Tooth

Accidents and oral diseases can loosen your tooth or cause it to fall off. A dentist may be able to replace or stabilize the tooth if you move fast. Get immediate dental care to improve the odds of saving the tooth.

3. Sudden Dental Pain

Dental pain can be debilitating. Some dental pains can radiate to your face, neck, and head. Such pain can even deny you sleep. Apart from injuries, diseases such as gum or sinus infection also cause sudden dental pain. In many cases, you won't even know what is causing your dental pain. Consult a dentist to diagnose the pain and treat its cause.

How to Get Help

You might not get emergency dental care if you don't know where or how to get it. Here are four helpful ways you can try.

1. Ask Your Dentist

Some dentists offer round-the-clock treatments. Others do not offer round-the-clock services but can do so in an emergency. Contact your dentist to see if they can accommodate you without an appointment. If your regular dentist cannot see you immediately, they may refer you to someone who can.

2. Ask Friends and Families

Send an SOS to your family members and friends asking for help. While this method is not guaranteed to help, it won't cost you anything, but it can help you.

3. Use Online Tools

If you have access to the internet, go online, search for the nearest dentist, and contact them. The American Dental Association (ADA) has an online dentist locator you can use. Alternatively, you can just search for nearby dental offices.

4. Go to the Nearest ER

Go to the nearest emergency room (ER) if you cannot find a dentist or the nearest one is too far for your dental pain. Even if the ER cannot offer you proper dental care, they can stabilize your pain and give you time to reach a dentist. 

For more info about dental emergencies, contact a local professional.