Under normal circumstances, a visit to the dentist should be a scheduled appointment that is planned in advance. However, under extraordinary circumstances, a visit to the dentist is because of an emergency. There are ways to reduce the chance of an emergency visit to the dentist but sometimes circumstances are out of your control and they can cause an emergency that needs immediate attention.
Not every dental problem is an emergency so you need to know which problems warrant a sudden visit to the dentist and which ones can wait. If you do need to visit the dentist suddenly, then you should already know which dentist in your area to call. After all, you do not want to waste time looking for a good dentist in an emergency situation. If you live in the New Jersey area, then you should seek out the services of Dr. Anthony Mancino for both your regular and emergency dental needs.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Before you call a dentist to address your condition, you need to know what is considered an emergency. Not every single problem with your teeth requires an emergency visit so it is important to know which ones do. The following conditions meet the requirements of a genuine dental emergency:
Severe Pain and/or Bleeding – These are both abnormal conditions that could be a sign of very serious problems. If you are experiencing either or both of these problems, then you need to see a dentist as soon as possible.
A Tooth Gets Knocked Out – This is an obvious reason to see a dentist as quickly as possible. If the tooth is recovered, then the dentist can save it and put it back in the mouth. However, haste is required in such circumstances, which is why a tooth getting knocked out can legitimately be considered an emergency.
There is an Infection – Signs of an infection include knots on the gum or swelling on the face around the mouth or jaw area. If there is an infection or abscess, then you need to get to a dentist as soon as possible because they could be potentially life-threatening. An infection could get into the bloodstream and cause serious problems to other vital organs. So any kind of infection needs to be addressed promptly.
A Tooth is Loose – A fully grown adult should not have any teeth that are loose. If a tooth is moving around in its socket, then an emergency visit to the dentist is warranted.
Any bleeding in the mouth, infection, severe pain or missing teeth is a reason to visit a dentist as soon as you can. These problems are serious and need immediate attention in order to take care of them. In the case of an infection or abscess, the condition could even be potentially fatal, so do not hesitate to get to a dentist as soon as you can if you experience any of those conditions.
What is Not a Dental Emergency
There are other oral problems that might seem serious but can wait for a day or two before they need to be taken care of. It is important to know what they are so that you do not panic unnecessarily if you experience them. A tooth that has been chipped or cracked may seem like an emergency at the time, but it is only one if there is serious bleeding or if the chip leaves jagged edges that could cause lacerations in the mouth. If neither of those conditions are present, then treatment can wait for a little while.
A lost crown or filling is also not a dental emergency since you can temporarily fix those problems yourself before seeing a dentist. You can place some sugar-free gum into an empty filling and you can use dental adhesive to temporarily place a crown back on a tooth. A regular toothache is also not an emergency unless it is extremely painful or accompanied by signs of an infection.
Learn to Identify The Signs of a Dental Emergency
A dental emergency can either be a serious problem or the sign of a serious problem, either way, it needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. That is why you need to know which conditions are considered to be an emergency and which are not. In many cases, knowing the difference between the two can be the difference between life and death. But even when the stakes are not that high, you need to know when a problem is serious enough to warrant a visit to the dentist so that you can take care of your teeth and your health.
