Emergency Dentist in Grand Prairie Texas

In a blink of an eye, dental pain can affect all areas of your life. A slight toothache can cause sleeplessness, severe headaches, and the inability to eat or drink. Since dental and medical emergencies are different, it is crucial to understand what is considered a dental emergency and available treatment options. If you feel like your life is in immediate danger, it is essential to call your dentist and book an appointment.

Typically, numerous things can be classified as a dental emergency. According to recent statistics from American Family Physician, at least 22% of the population has experienced dental pain in the last 12 months. If you are experiencing any symptoms that can affect your life negatively, you have a dental emergency, and it is advisable to visit an emergency dentist or an ER.  However, this does not necessarily mean that every minor pain should be classified as a dental emergency. Here are some signs that can help you determine if you have a dental emergency:

• Infection or abscessed tooth – if your mouth or teeth are infected, your gums, knots, and face swell.
• Loose teeth – if your teeth are loose, make a trip to the emergency room. Adults should not have loose teeth.
• Bleeding or severe pain – if you are bleeding or experiencing severe pain, you have a dental emergency. Book an appointment with an emergency dentist right away.
• Lost teeth – there are several scenarios where you can lose teeth. Lost teeth qualify as a dental emergency.
• Fractured jawline
• If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, always seek professional help from your dentist.

It is essential to familiarize yourself with common dental emergencies in advance. Such knowledge is vital in helping alleviate pain and improve your oral health. Common dental emergencies include:

• Missing a Tooth – it is understandable if you start panicking if you have a knocked-out tooth, especially the incisors. You should book an appointment with your dentist right away. If you are missing a tooth, follow these steps:
  1. Retrieve the tooth if possible and call your dentist. Book an appointment and explain what has happened.
  2.  Pick the tooth by the crown and rinse using running water. Avoid scrubbing or taking the tooth by the root.
  3. Try reinserting the tooth into the socket gently. If that’s not possible, place the tooth in a glass of milk to maintain the pH balance and keep off unwanted bacteria.
  4. Apply gauze to stop the bleeding and keep the area free from food debris which might cause an infection.
• Abscessed Tooth – A dental abscess is a dental emergency because its repercussions are life-threatening. A dental abscess occurs when a pocket of pus inside a tooth causes an infection. If you suspect you have an abscessed tooth, book an appointment with a dentist immediately. While waiting for your emergency appointment, avoid hot and cold drinks, floss the affected tooth/area and use a soft toothbrush. Rinse your mouth with salty water regularly to alleviate pain and draw the pus to the surface. Although an abscessed tooth is painful, avoid taking painkillers before your dental appointment. If you have an abscessed tooth, you can experience the following:
  1. Sensitivity to hot and cold drinks or food
  2. High fever
  3. Swollen face
  4. Recurring toothache
  5. Tender lymph nodes
  6. Bumps on your gum and around the affected tooth
• Toothache – Although toothaches are common, they are signs of something wrong in your mouth. Sudden or unexplainable toothaches are red flags. Find a qualified and experienced dentist to diagnose and treat the problem before it escalates. Before your appointment, you can take over-the-counter painkillers and rinse your mouth with salty water to reduce the pain.
• Exposed Nerves – Exposed nerves are primarily caused by gum disease. However, activities that cause deterioration of the gum, for example, smoking, tooth cracks, teeth misalignment, grinding, tobacco use, and rigorous toothbrushing, can expose nerve endings. Exposed nerves are very painful, and it is prudent to seek emergency dental assistance.
• Bleeding or Swollen Gums – Swollen gum is a common occurrence depending on your diet or daily activities. But, if you experience severe pain, swelling, and regular bleeding, you could be having an underlying problem. Book an appointment with a dentist to determine the leading cause of the problem.
• Swollen Jaw or Mouth – Irritation to the lymph nodes or infection can result in a swollen jaw or mouth. You should not take chances because the infection can worsen with time. Call your dentist and book an appointment right away.
• Broken Crown – A dental crown is used to cover, protect and restore the shape of your tooth if the tooth fillings fail. Dental crowns can be made from ceramic, porcelain, metal, and resin. If your dental crown breaks or falls off, schedule an emergency dental visit because your tooth is vulnerable to infections. Dental crowns do not require special care except regular oral hygiene. However, dental crowns break or fall off if you:
  1. Grind or clench your teeth
  2. Open packages using your teeth
  3. Bite your fingernails
  4. Chew ice
• Objects Stuck Between Your Teeth – Using a toothpick, floss, paper, or water irrigator can remove food or objects stuck between your teeth. If you have tried to remove food or an object lodged between teeth unsuccessfully, seek professional help. Trying to remove food or an object using crude items can cause gum irritation, tooth decay/shifting, or an infection. Avoid taking chances with your dental health and book a dental appointment.
• Loose or Missing Filling – A loose or missing filling is a dental emergency because the unprotected tooth can be damaged if the filling is not replaced. Typically, food particles and bacteria stick onto the exposed tooth, causing decay. Fillings and crowns are supposed to be permanent, but they become loose or break because of abuse, wear or tear.

If you are experiencing excruciating pain, that’s a sign you need a dental check-up. The appointment may not be with your usual dentist, especially if it is an emergency. Remember to explain the problem and state that you need an emergency appointment. Depending on your dental emergency, the dentist will locate and treat the problem. If you are experiencing severe pain, your dentist will diagnose and offer pain relief. Sometimes, the only solution is to remove a tooth, but your dentist will explain in detail to help you understand.
The dentist can successfully reinsert the tooth if you have a missing tooth depending on how soon you book an appointment. Nonetheless, if the tooth cannot be reinserted, an implant or bridge can be an alternative. The dentist will advise on the best course of action in your dental appointment.

If your dental problem is an abscess, your dentist will assess the affected area or tooth and attempt to remove it. Nevertheless, depending on where the dental abscess is, there are several ways to remove it, including:

• A root canal is crucial before filling and sealing the affected tooth.
• Tooth extraction – extraction is the only viable solution if the root canal fails.
• Incision & drainage – a small incision is made on the affected tooth or area, and the abscess is drained. Further treatment is needed because this is a temporary solution.

Sometimes, some dental problems can wait a few days if they are not emergencies. You might not require emergency dental care if:

• You have a toothache – if you don’t have an abscess, toothache treatment can wait. Be that as it may, contact your dentist if you have a fever, gum swelling, or notice bumps on the gums.
• You have a broken tooth – if your broken tooth is neither aching nor has sharp fragments, you can visit your dentist after a few days.
• You’ve lost a crown or filling – losing a filing is not a dental emergency because you can replace the filling with sugar-free gum. On the other hand, denture adhesives and dental cement can put the crown back. If you are busy or lost the filling or crown on a weekend or holiday, you don’t have to worry because you can wait several days to see your dentist.

Even though regular check-ups and dental hygiene can keep these circumstances under control, dental emergencies happen. Here are tips on how you can avoid dental emergencies:

• Replace your toothbrush regularly
• Maintain an excellent oral care regime
• Reduce daily sugar intake
• Always wear a protective mouthguard if you are playing a sport
• Always go for dental check-ups
• Interdental cleaning is recommended

To avoid dental emergencies, regular check-ups and maintain good oral health. Your dentist checks whether you have loose fillings, tooth decay, infections, dental abscess, and gum disease during routine visits. A dentist can address any dental issues before they develop and become an emergency with a customized treatment plan. Therefore, listen to your body and look for signs to determine if you have any underlying dental problems.

Here is a resource if you are in need of more information on a dental emergency.

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