An Overview of Dental Emergency and Its Treatment

Dental emergencies may affect your oral health as well as overall well-being if untreated. They cause pain, discomfort, and sometimes long-term damage to your health. Dental emergencies may occur suddenly, such as getting a tooth knocked out during sporting activities. They may also happen slowly due to dental issues such as an abscessed tooth.

Symptoms of Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies may occur at any time or when least expected. Injuries and accidents cause dental emergencies. Other causes of dental emergencies include:

• Poor brushing practices
• Eating sugary foods and drinks
• Certain health conditions such as diabetes
• Use of certain medications
• Smoking
• Family history

Visit a dentist near you immediately if you experience the following symptoms of a dental emergency:

• Severe tooth pain

This occurs when the nerves and roots of a tooth are injured. Tooth pain may be a sign of infection or dental abscess. This should be treated immediately to prevent bacteria from spreading throughout your bloodstream, eventually causing serious health complications.

• Cracked teeth

Biting hard objects and accidents may cause teeth to crack. A tooth may also fracture due to the grinding of your teeth. A broken tooth may sometimes stretch to the nerves causing severe pain and discomfort. In such cases, it would help if you visited a dentist near you immediately to minimize pain and prevent extensive damage.

• Abscessed gums

This could be a yellow, white, red, or a clear pimple located on your gum. An abscess is a sign of infected gums or teeth. You should not touch, squeeze or pop your abscess as this could cause further spread of the infection to the body, causing health complications.

• Teeth sensitivity

Your teeth may experience sudden sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Teeth sensations may be experienced when consuming too hot or cold beverages.

• Swelling

Oral procedures such as braces may result in swollen lips and mouth. Underlying inflammation and infection on the mouth and gums may also cause swelling

Treatment of Dental Emergencies

Despite maintaining oral hygiene practices, it is recommended you visit a dentist at least twice a year. Our dentist in Manalapan, NJ, will assess your oral health to keep you free from infections. Your dentist will recommend further treatment if signs of oral problems are noticed. Below are treatment methods for dental emergencies:

• Dental fillings and crowns

Dental fillings are used to repair holes in the teeth caused by cavities or cracks. Your dentist will remove the damaged part of the tooth. Depending on your clinical needs, they will fill the hole with the perfect type of filling.

• Root canal treatment

This aims at treating infections at the center of the tooth. During treatment, your tooth may be extracted to enable the removal of all infections from the root canal system. This space is then filled, and the tooth is sealed to prevent further infection.

• Tooth extraction

An extremely damaged tooth may need to be removed. Wisdom teeth may also have to be extracted in case of pain, inflammation, or other dental problems.

• Dental implants

These are used to replace lost or missing teeth. Dental implants are surgically placed in the jaw bone and allowed to fuse with the bone. A tooth crown is later attached to the implant to resemble your natural teeth.

Are you from around New Jersey and have been considering visiting an emergency dentist near you? Our Manalapan dentist at Factor DMD will evaluate your oral health and recommend the perfect treatment option for your dental emergency.

Methods to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Focusing on your oral health as well as your overall well-being helps you avoid dental emergencies. Below are other methods to prevent oral emergencies:

• Practice daily oral hygiene

Brushing your teeth daily is essential for healthy teeth and gums. This prevents bacteria and debris from accumulating on your teeth and gums, causing cavities or gum disease

• Regular dental check-ups

Frequent visits to your dentist help catch symptoms early, reducing your risk of dental problems.

• Reduce intake of starchy and sugary foods

Sugar and starch particles in your mouth combine with plaque to form acids. This combination damages your tooth enamel and may result in cavities.

• Wear a mouth guard during sports

Mouthguards absorb heavy blows to the mouth protecting your teeth from damage. They help reduce your risk of dental injuries such as tooth knockout.

• Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water enables your body to produce enough saliva to maintain dental health. Saliva helps maintain a more neutral PH in your mouth.