Dental emergencies can strike without warning, leaving people in pain, distress, and unsure of what to do next. Whether it’s a sudden toothache or a broken or knocked-out tooth, emergency dentistry provides critical, immediate care to alleviate pain, prevent further damage, and preserve dental health.
Here are some common emergencies we see at our clinic, and exactly how we can treat them!
Severe Toothache
A toothache can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain, often signaling an underlying issue such as tooth decay, infection, or damage to the tooth’s nerve.
When over-the-counter pain relievers don’t help, or the pain worsens rapidly, it’s crucial to seek emergency dental care. Delaying treatment could lead to complications, including abscesses or the spread of infection.
A toothache can be treated with a root canal, periodontal treatment, or even just simple cavity care.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Teeth can crack, chip, or break due to injury, biting into something hard, or preexisting conditions such as decay. Broken teeth are more vulnerable to infection, and the sharp edges can cause cuts or further damage to the mouth.
Emergency dentists can restore a damaged tooth with bonding, crowns, or other restorative treatments to prevent the damage from worsening.
Knocked-Out Tooth
When a tooth is knocked out due to an injury, it’s considered a true dental emergency. Quick action is critical, the sooner a dentist can re-implant the tooth, the higher the chances of saving it.
If you are able to save the tooth, we may be able to place it back in the correct place. If not, we have many tooth replacement options such as implants and dental bridges.
Loose or Dislodged Tooth
A tooth that is partially knocked out, or dislodged from its position, requires immediate attention.
Even if the tooth remains in the socket, it may be at risk of infection, nerve damage, or further injury. Emergency dental care can help stabilize the tooth and determine the best course of treatment to protect it.
Dental Abscess
An abscess is a painful infection that can develop in the tooth root or gums. If left untreated, it can lead to severe swelling, fever, and in some cases, the spread of infection to other parts of the body.
Emergency dentists can drain the abscess, provide antibiotics, and treat the underlying cause to alleviate pain and stop the infection from spreading. Often abscesses must be treated with periodontal disease treatment, or by treating an infected tooth with a root canal.
The Importance of Immediate Dental Care
We can treat your dental emergencies with same-day care for many cases! If we can’t see you immediately, we can offer phone consultations on next steps for caring for your smile until you can visit a dentist.
Ignoring a dental emergency can lead to more significant issues down the road. For example, untreated infections can spread, leading to serious health complications. A small crack in a tooth could eventually require root canal therapy or extraction if not treated promptly.
Emergency dental care ensures that patients receive the necessary interventions to prevent further damage and pain.
Beyond the physical damage, dental emergencies can be emotionally distressing. Patients may experience anxiety, difficulty eating or speaking, and disruption to their daily lives. Access to immediate dental care provides not only physical relief but also peace of mind.
Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
Have the contact information of McCullough Dental accessible to ensure that dental problems can be addressed promptly. We have solutions for every kind of dental emergency. If you are in the Bakersfield, CA, area, you can call our office if you are worried you are experiencing a dental emergency, and we can help.