How Is Emergency Dental Care After Hours?

How Is Emergency Dental Care After Hours?

Injuries often occur at the worst of times. Most working professionals don't play pick-up basketball games during working hours, but after they quit their job (and so did the dentist), they join the pick-up game and their teeth are knocked out. 

Sudden toothache and jaw pain also seem to occur late at night. Some of the main reasons you may need to see a dentist as soon as possible and someone who can accurately provide that emergency dental treatment.

Types of dental emergencies:

Below are some of the most common reasons why emergency dental treatment may be needed within hours instead of days.

• Toothache

If you have a toothache late at night, I would like to see your dentist as soon as possible. Toothache is not only annoying because of the pain, but it can also make you unable to eat and sleep.

• Chipped or cracked tooth

If a tooth is chipped, cracked, or cracked, the key to saving the tooth is to have a dentist repair it immediately. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and bring the broken part (if possible) to the dentist with a glass of milk or a wet folding paper towel. It is important that it does not dry out.

• A broken dental crown or lost filling

If the crown breaks or the padding falls off, get dental treatment as soon as possible to keep bacteria and other contaminants out of the vulnerable area. The lost crown should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration of the structure of the remaining tooth.

• Dental abscess

A tooth abscess, one of the more painful cases of a dental emergency,  is a bacterial infection that develops around the teeth or on the gums. There is pus around the infection. Treat this pain with over-the-counter painkillers until you can get dental treatment. It should be done that same day.  Abscesses are serious because they trap the infection under the gums and can affect nearby teeth, jawbones, and blood circulation. If noticeable bumps occur and are accompanied by pain or fever, seek urgent medical attention. Due to its proximity to the brain, it can be life-threatening. Antibiotics and root canals usually relieve abscess pain, pressure, and infection. In extreme cases, tooth extraction may be required to prevent the spread of the infection.

• Missing or knocked-out teeth

In some situations, the dentist may receive and reinsert the missing tooth. Fast action is needed here to save the teeth. If a tooth comes out, lift it from above (be careful not to touch the root), rinse (without rubbing), and try if possible to maximize the chances of saving it. I recommend you to try it. Put it back in the socket until it reaches the dentist. If you cannot reinsert, put your teeth in a small container of milk and see your dentist as soon as possible.

• Painful Toothache

Painful toothache is a warning sign that a serious tooth problem may exist. A painful toothache may indicate an abscess or infection that requires urgent medical attention. 

A tooth abscess is usually caused by a bacterial infection and is a collection of pus. It is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if left untreated. Abscesses can cause fever, swelling,  persistent painful toothache, and hypersensitivity to high and low temperatures. In some cases, there may be tenderness in the lymph nodes in the neck.  If you suspect an abscess, rinse your mouth with neutral saline, clean the area, and see a dentist immediately.

When to visit an urgent dental clinic?

When it comes to dental crises, the doctors in the emergency room (ER) of a standard hospital are only equipped to manage your discomfort and stop mouth bleeding. They will recommend you to a dentist who will provide you with emergency dental care in order to receive the correct treatment.

Dentists are the best at dealing with a sudden dental emergency and may be able to see you within 24 hours if their facility also provides the emergency dental treatment. Many dentists, particularly for their patients, provide same-day consultations to address dental emergencies.

In the meanwhile, what should I do?

If you lose a tooth or part of a tooth in an accident and your mouth bleeds or hurts, avoid touching the injured teeth or gums to avoid infection. To alleviate bleeding and discomfort, apply a cold compress or an ice pack with a cover to the area of the face where tooth loss has happened. If you have missing or damaged teeth, it is best to store them in a covered container with milk. Put the container in the refrigerator if it takes a long time to see a dentist for an emergency appointment. Take it to the dentist without first opening the package. If it is not substantially damaged, the dentist may be able to fully clean it and place it back in the mouth.

Cosmetic concerns can wait

If you have a non-painful aesthetic issue, such as discoloration or a little chip in your teeth, book a non-urgent appointment with your dentist and wait for the next available window. In any event, the dentist will very certainly see you soon.