Dental emergencies don’t follow a schedule, and we understand the discomfort and anxiety they can bring. That’s why our dedicated Englewood dentist at Sopris Smiles is here to offer not just emergency dental care, but also reassurance and comfort when you need it most. Learn about when to visit an emergency dentist in Englewood, CO, and how to prevent dental mishaps in the future.
An emergency dentist is a dental healthcare specialist who treats urgent dental issues beyond regular office hours. Their primary goal is to provide immediate relief and prevent further complications. Emergency dentistry plays a crucial role in urgent dental care situations, ensuring that patients are seen promptly for dental injuries, pain, or complications.
Here are some of the key services an emergency dentist offers:
Severe Toothache
A severe toothache can be debilitating, and it’s often a sign of an underlying issue such as a dental infection or abscess. An emergency dentist can provide immediate pain relief and determine the cause of the pain.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If a tooth gets knocked out due to an accident or injury, time is of the essence. Try to place the tooth back in the socket if possible and visit an emergency dentist within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Chipped or broken teeth can cause sharp pain and make your smile look uneven. An emergency dentist can repair the tooth, often with techniques like bonding, veneers, or dental crowns.
Lost Filling or Crown
A lost filling or crown can expose sensitive areas of the tooth and cause discomfort. An emergency dentist can replace the filling or crown to protect the tooth.
Abscess or Swelling
Dental abscesses can lead to severe swelling, pain, and potentially life-threatening infections. Seek immediate care from an emergency dentist if you suspect an abscess.
Injury to the Gums or Soft Tissues
An emergency dentist should evaluate injuries to the gums or soft tissues in the mouth to prevent infection spread and ensure proper healing.
Orthodontic Emergencies
If you have braces or other appliances and experience a wire breakage or other issues causing discomfort, an emergency dentist can provide relief and repair the orthodontic device.
When visiting an emergency dentist, it’s helpful to bring the following:
Most dental emergencies result from either accidents or untreated dental health conditions. Therefore, one of the most effective methods of avoiding emergencies is following good dental hygiene practices – brushing twice a day, flossing after meals, and avoiding sugary foods, tobacco, and alcohol. It is also good practice to wear a mouthguard while playing sports and never use your teeth as tools.
Prevention is always the best approach to dental emergencies. Here are some tips to minimize your risk:
Understanding the difference between a dental emergency and something that can wait for an appointment can save you a lot of time, money, and stress. Generally speaking, urgent situations require immediate treatment. The following would qualify:
Some situations, however, are not quite emergencies. If you experience the following, you should schedule an appointment right away, but won’t need to rush for emergency care:
If you find yourself in a dental crisis, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our expert team will alleviate your pain, address your concerns, and restore your oral health. Contact us today!
Dental emergencies refer to urgent dental situations that require immediate care, such as severe tooth pain, injuries to teeth or gums, or infections. Emergency dental services aim to provide quick pain relief, prevent further damage, and restore oral health. Common treatments for dental emergencies include pain relief medications, tooth restoration procedures like crowns or fillings, and even emergency extractions if necessary. If you’re experiencing dental pain or any dental mishap, it’s crucial to visit an emergency dentist right away to prevent worsening of the issue.
If you experience sudden or intense tooth sensitivity, it could be a sign of an underlying dental issue, such as cavities, gum disease, or a cracked tooth. If the sensitivity is severe and persistent, it’s important to seek emergency dental services to prevent further damage. A dentist will assess the cause of the tooth sensitivity and recommend treatments like root canal therapy if the nerve of the tooth is affected. Prompt attention to tooth sensitivity can help avoid more complicated treatments in the future.
Yes, a root canal can be considered an emergency dental procedure, especially if you’re experiencing severe dental pain due to infection or damage to the tooth pulp. When the pulp becomes infected, it can cause significant pain and swelling. If left untreated, the infection could spread, leading to more severe health issues. An emergency dentist will perform a root canal to remove the infection and restore the tooth, preventing the need for extraction and reducing the risk of further complications.
If you lose a tooth due to an accident, it’s important to act quickly to increase the chances of saving the tooth. First, try to place the tooth back into its socket if possible and seek emergency dental services immediately. The sooner you visit an emergency dentist, the better the chances of reimplantation. If you can’t reinsert the tooth, keep it moist in milk or water and get to the dentist within 30 minutes. Emergency dentists can restore a knocked-out tooth, preventing the need for costly replacements or dentures.
While the emergency room can help with severe trauma, it is not the same as visiting an emergency dentist. The ER can address serious injuries like broken jaws or extreme swelling but does not specialize in dental care. For dental pain, injuries, or infections, an emergency dentist is trained to provide specific treatments like pain relief, tooth restoration, and infection management. It’s important to seek emergency dental care to address dental issues properly and avoid long-term damage that could require more invasive procedures later.
