An emergency in dentistry could range from chipped teeth to jaw fractures. Knowing how to identify one quickly allows for treatment to begin immediately.
Hospital emergency rooms typically aren’t equipped to address dental emergencies. But some resources may help.
Tooth Pain or Swelling
While it’s normal to experience occasional tooth pain, persistent or worsening discomfort should prompt a trip to a dentist immediately. It could be an indicator of serious dental issues like an infection or crack in a tooth; they can relieve it by extracting damaged tissues or inserting antibiotics; alternatively, you could rinse the affected area with warm salt water while taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or naproxen until you can schedule treatment at a clinic.
An acute toothache could indicate a dental abscess, an infection of the inner pulp of a tooth that results in pus and swelling around its gumline. While dentists can drain an abscess and drain pus deposits from inside, early treatment will be vital in keeping the infection from spreading to other parts of your body.
Signs of dental emergencies include cracked or broken teeth, lost fillings, or bleeding from the mouth. In case of cracked or chipped teeth, rinse the area with warm water to stop bleeding and apply pressure if necessary to prevent further bleeping before rinsing with a saltwater solution to reduce inflammation and thoroughly cleanse the area. It is a good idea to save any pieces of the damaged tooth as your dentist may be able to repurpose them later on.
Tooth sensitivity should not be treated as an emergency dental situation but is instead an early indicator of decay or cracks/chips in your tooth structure. You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice daily, floss between your teeth once daily, and use antibacterial mouthwash; you should also limit your consumption of sugary beverages and foods for the best oral health results.
If your injury is severe or traumatic, visit an emergency room immediately for assessment by a physician or dentist. 209 NYC Dental may provide treatment without needing an appointment; pay a nominal fee for their visit, and they’ll give limited dental exams and one periapical and bitewing x-ray if necessary.
Infected Root Canals
Root canal infections occur when tooth decay eats away at the enamel, exposing sensitive nerves in the root. When this happens, people experience pain when biting down, chewing food, or sipping hot and cold liquids. Left untreated, an infection could spread throughout their mouth or bloodstream, leading to severe complications that necessitate treatment with root canal surgery that removes infected tissues while disinfecting and cleaning canals before filling them with gutta percha for future protection against future infection.
If you suspect a root canal infection, don’t wait to visit our NYC dental practice. After using x-rays and other tests to confirm it, our NYC dentist will gently open the infected tooth to clean and treat it. After filling it with material that will protect it further from further damage, he’ll place a crown over it to protect it from future harm.
Thanks to our highly skilled dentists and state-of-the-art technology and equipment, root canal therapy can typically be completed in just one visit when caught early. Once complete, your tooth will behave like any healthy one, permitting you to bite and chew normally without restrictions or discomfort.
Root canal therapy is a highly successful solution, saving natural teeth that would otherwise need extraction and reducing the need for dentures or dental implants later. Adopting excellent oral hygiene practices can help avoid needing root canal therapy in the first place; however, we recognize that not everyone always maintains ideal dental health. That’s why we provide emergency services to address issues as soon as they arise.
Unexpected dental expenses can add up quickly, regardless of whether you have dental insurance coverage. We provide flexible financing through CareCredit to assist our patients in paying for procedures affordably and rapidly, including 12-, 18-, and 24-month interest-free plans to ease payment burden.
Tooth Extractions
Although dentists aim to preserve teeth whenever possible, sometimes extractions may be necessary. An emergency dentist who prioritizes patient comfort will do everything they can to avoid extractions with pain-free procedures using sedation dentistry and local anesthetics – not to mention providing instructions for aftercare containing pain relievers, which will ensure a reasonable recovery after surgery.
Knocked-out teeth are another dental emergency that requires immediate treatment. Avoid touching its roots; gently rinse it under warm running water before returning it to its socket as soon as possible – quick healing begins when blood clots form in its empty socket to protect and assist in recovering damaged cells in this space. If this proves impossible, moisten in milk or saliva until visiting an emergency dentist for care.
At your emergency dentist visit, they’ll conduct an exam and may order X-rays to diagnose what’s causing your issues and the severity. From there, they’ll determine how best to treat you – for example, if your tooth has fractured, they might place a crown or cap, while severely infected teeth will likely need extraction.
When looking for an emergency dentist, choose one with years of experience. A knowledgeable practitioner can treat all kinds of dental conditions using cutting-edge technologies and superior materials – while offering comfortable care in a safe environment with flexible payment plans so that they can afford the care you require.
If you need urgent dental care due to broken or chipped teeth, locate an emergency dentist online. These providers will be available in the evenings and on weekends and ensure your comfort during any procedures they perform. In addition, emergency dentists will give a full explanation of their diagnosis as well as potential solutions. Finally, they’ll arrange an appointment as quickly as possible.
Broken Teeth
Cracked or chipped teeth are dental emergencies. Infection may lead to further nerve damage if left untreated immediately. If this happens to you and an emergency dentist cannot be seen immediately, rinse your mouth with water or milk and apply pressure with gauze pads for bleeding to stop while applying ice to reduce pain and swelling as quickly as possible. Avoid eating hard or sticky foods until you see an emergency NYC dentist for repair work.
Your injury severity determines if you require an emergency dental clinic in New York City. A cracked molar often requires more chewing force, with its damage ranging from small chips to fractures that expose roots and cause severe discomfort and pain. An emergency dentist will likely suggest crown or filling treatment depending on the size and location of the crack.
Chipped teeth may not always constitute an emergency dental situation unless there is pain, blood, or exposure to nerve tissue. But the longer you wait to have it repaired, the more damage it will do to both teeth and gums. Some treatment options for chipped teeth include dental bonding, porcelain crowns, or veneers.
If you experience an urgent dental condition that needs immediate treatment, it’s wise to contact an emergency dentist near you as soon as possible. They can assess the situation and outline a treatment plan during office or out-of-office hours. In cases requiring more advanced attention from specialists such as oral surgeons or endodontists – who specialize in more complex issues than general dentists alone can treat, emergency dentists can refer patients directly if necessary.
