When Should You Visit an Emergency Dental Clinic?

In a modern world where lives are moving at a fast pace without any time to even breathe. However, amidst the daily hustle and grind, your overall health might not be a big priority, isn’t it? However, when an emergency strikes, let’s say, a toothache, you will be left scrambling for help to ease the pain.

So, many people usually ask when exactly you should drop everything and visit an emergency dental clinic? Well, that depends upon the type of emergency and its severity. However, it is a must to visit an emergency dental clinic once you endure a dental emergency.

In this article, you will explore various reasons why you need to visit an emergency dental clinic. You will also learn how the staff and dentist in this clinic will help you get relief from your specific oral health issues and restore your dental functioning.

Top Reasons to Visit an Emergency Dental Clinic

Here are the top reasons why you need to visit an emergency dental clinic, as given below:

• Severe and Uncontrolled Bleeding:

Bleeding from the mouth can never be normal. Although minor gum irritation after flossing may not be a great concern, constant and heavy bleeding certainly is. This could be due to trauma to the mouth, a dislodged or fractured tooth, or complications from a recent dental procedure.

If you are unable to control the bleeding with gentle pressure applied for 15-20 minutes, you need to seek emergency dental care as soon as possible. Uncontrolled bleeding can result in significant blood loss, indicating a more serious issue that may not have been discovered yet.

• Significant Trauma to the Face or Mouth:

Accidents are inevitable, and blows to the face or mouth, whether from a fall, sports injury, or any other kind of impact, can have serious consequences on your dental structure. 

Even if your teeth don’t appear to be immediately damaged, there could be underlying fractures, nerve damage, or soft tissue injuries that require immediate attention.

Symptoms like swelling, severe pain, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, or visible cuts do need to be treated immediately. Rapid evaluation can help you avoid long-term complications and ensure proper healing.

• An Avulsed or Knocked-Out Tooth:

A knocked-out tooth is a big dental emergency. Time is crucial in such situations, as the chances of successful replantation of the tooth become higher if you act quickly. If your tooth has been completely dislodged, you need to handle it with care by the crown.

Furthermore, rinse the tooth gently with milk or saline solution(avoid touching the root while doing so), and try to place it back in its socket. Suppose you are not able to reinsert it. If it cannot be reinserted, keep it moist in milk, saline, or even with your own saliva and get emergency dental care immediately.

The sooner you receive the treatment, the better the prognosis for saving your natural tooth.

• Severe Toothache Accompanied by Swelling:

An excruciating and persistent toothache that is accompanied by swelling of the gums, face, or jaw is a strong sign of a serious infection, like an abscess(pus). An abscess can develop due to untreated decay, gum disease, or a cracked tooth.

These infections can spread quickly. Plus, if left untreated, they can have severe effects, which will potentially affect your overall health. Emergency dental care is important to drain the abscess, relieve the intense pain, and prevent the infection from spreading further.

• Severe Pain That Cannot be Relieved by Over-the-Counter Medications:

While a mild toothache can often be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, a severe and unrelenting toothache that doesn’t respond to medication indicates a much more serious problem.

This can happen due to deep decay reaching the nerve, an infection, or a cracked tooth. Ignoring such intense pain can result in worsening conditions and more complicated treatment down the line.

An emergency dentist can diagnose the underlying cause to provide immediate pain relief.

• A Fractured or Broken Tooth With Sharp Edges:

A tooth that is either fractured or broken can be incredibly painful, especially if the fracture exposes the sensitive inner layers of the tooth or creates sharp edges that irritate your tongue and cheeks.

Although minor chips might not always require immediate attention, significant fractures that cause pain or discomfort should be checked out by an emergency dentist.

They can assess the extent of the damage and offer temporary or permanent solutions to alleviate pain and prevent further damage.

• A Lost Filling, Crown, or Bridge Causing Significant Pain and Discomfort:

While losing a crown, filling, or bridge isn’t always a dire emergency, it can become one if it exposes sensitive tooth structures, causes major pain, or affects your ability to speak properly.

The exposed tooth is vulnerable to further damage or infection. An emergency dentist can provide a temporary solution to protect the tooth and provide some relief until a permanent restoration can be placed.

How to Find an Emergency Dental Clinic Around You

There are emergency dental clinics in every locality that offer after-hours or weekend care. A quick online search for “emergency dental clinic near me” will provide you with a list of options. You just need to keep the contact information of a reliable emergency dental clinic readily accessible in case of need.

Furthermore, you need to ensure that the dental clinic you choose to visit for your dental emergencies is reputable and offers a comprehensive oral healthcare facility. This way, you will be able to ensure proper care and treatment for your oral health emergencies without any issues.

To Summarize

Recognizing the signs of a dental emergency is important for your oral health and well-being. Severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, trauma, and signs of infection are all clear signs that require immediate intervention by dentists.

Furthermore, timely intervention can save you from additional complications in the future, which will further help you preserve your oral health in the best possible manner. This way, you will be able to keep smiling and ensure proper oral functioning without any issues.