With consistently good dental hygiene and preventive dental care, most people can avoid common dental issues that could otherwise become serious. Even progressive issues like tooth decay and gum disease can be largely prevented or mitigated.
However, there are times when prevention and good hygiene cannot prevent an emergency, such as sudden pain or structural damage to one or more teeth. If you have a dental emergency, then call our office immediately to schedule a visit and receive the care you need as soon as possible.
Common Dental Emergencies
Sudden, severe toothache
A toothache can mean many different things, and depending on its severity, or may or may not seem like an emergency. Yet, when your tooth suddenly hurts and the pain is severe, you may be faced with an emergency and a heightened risk of severe tooth damage or disease. If you hesitate, then the pain and the condition causing it will grow steadily worse until your dentist treats it.
Fractured or broken tooth
When a tooth cracks or breaks, it cannot heal itself. Therefore, the damage will grow more severe under the pressure and may eventually lead to tooth loss or extraction.
Moderate to severe tooth damage can cause extreme levels of tooth discomfort, especially if the nerves and tissues inside the tooth’s pulp are exposed. If not treated soon, the fractured or broken tooth might also develop internal tooth infection, compounding the discomfort and the need to restore the tooth’s health and integrity.