Many people run straight to the hospital when they have a dental emergency, but most are better off at an urgent care clinic or their local dentist. Emergency rooms are not equipped to handle most Immediate Dental Care in Jacksonville.
An emergency dentist is a specialist who works day and night to help patients in their time of need. This article will cover some of the most common emergency situations, including:
Infections
Bacteria – both the helpful and harmful kinds – thrive in many places in the body, including the mouth. There is always a slight risk that these bacteria will enter the bloodstream and cause an infection. For this reason, doctors and dentists frequently advise that patients take antibiotics before some dental procedures, to prevent a possible infection from occurring.
An infection in the mouth is considered a medical emergency if it results in a painful swelling filled with pus called an abscessed tooth. Untreated, this condition can spread to the surrounding tissue of the tooth and even other parts of the body. Other signs of a dental infection include swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever, pain when touching hot and cold or eating certain foods and pericoronitis, which is an inflammation of the gum tissues around partially erupted teeth. Symptoms of this dental condition include pain when chewing, persistent bleeding gums and a discharge of pus from the gum area.
Broken Teeth
Tooth breaks can result from injuries like a blow to the mouth or chewing hard food like an ice cube. They can also happen if you grind your teeth or clench them at night. This habit wears away the enamel and can cause the teeth to break.
A serious fracture will expose the tooth’s nerve and can hurt. It may also bleed. The dentist will need to numb the area around the break before attempting to save it. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the fracture, but can include fillings, caps, crowns, or root canals.
If you have a broken tooth, it is important to visit the dentist right away. This way, the tooth will be less prone to infection and it can be repaired before it gets worse. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, icing the area, and applying a dental bonding material or piece of wax to the jagged edges can help you cope in the meantime.
Chipped Teeth
Your teeth, while relatively tough, are not indestructible. They are susceptible to fractures and chips when exposed to a blow, hard bite, or excessive pressure. Teeth chipping can range from a tiny chip that does not cause pain to a large break that exposes the root and inner layers.
It is important to seek treatment for a chipped tooth immediately as it can lead to further complications if left untreated. In some cases, a dentist may use dental glue to repair the chipped area. Other solutions include bonding, veneers, and fillings.
Tooth chips can be prevented by wearing mouth guards while participating in sports, avoiding hard foods such as ice or popcorn kernels, and practicing good oral hygiene. Individuals over 50 are more at risk of a chipped tooth due to weakened enamel. It is recommended to visit your dentist regularly so they can spot potential issues before they grow into larger problems.
Broken Braces
Taking care of your teeth is a big part of overall health. However, despite your best efforts, some Immediate Dental Care in Jacksonville issues can happen that require immediate attention. Whether it’s an injury while playing a sport, a head trauma, or even just a toothache, you need to act fast when an emergency occurs.
There are some things that should be taken seriously and immediately addressed such as a broken wire or displaced bracket. These are big problems that can cause a lot of pain and affect the movement of your teeth. If a wire is sticking out and poking into your cheek or gums, cover it with a piece of wax until you can see your Orthodontist.
The best thing to do if something is wrong is to seek out an emergency dentist in Jacksonville as soon as possible. They can help you to deal with any urgent issue and ensure that your teeth are healthy and beautiful.
