A serious dental emergency can strike at any time, and it’s important to know how to handle it if you’re in a situation where you need to find an dentist near me open now. Even if you go to the dentist on a regular basis, there are situations that can arise outside of your control, and may require urgent attention. Be prepared with these tips on what types of dental emergencies exist, and how to handle them until you’re able to get care from a local emergency dentist.
Cavity
A cavity can happen when you eat sweets, drink soda or otherwise consume high amounts of sugar over time. Bacteria feed on sugar and cause damage to your teeth and gums. The only way to reverse a cavity is with professional help, so avoid dentists near me open. Make sure to floss twice a day; it removes food particles that could otherwise get stuck in your teeth and lead to cavities.
Bleeding Gums
If you are experiencing bleeding gums or loose teeth that aren’t as firm as they once were, you may be dealing with a dental emergency. Some common issues such as gingivitis and periodontitis can cause bleeding gum lines if not treated promptly, so it’s important to call your dentist near me open at any time to help get your teeth on track. It’s best to avoid too much sugar and plaque-causing foods like sodas and chips, along with not brushing daily or flossing. The more meticulous your dental routine is before problems develop, the better off you will be down the road.
Broken Teeth
If you suffer a chipped, cracked or broken tooth, contact your dentist immediately. If possible, bring in any pieces that are chipped off your tooth so that your dentist can determine how best to put it back together. It’s important to act quickly when dealing with a broken tooth because you run a risk of more damage happening if there’s an open wound in your mouth; and infection could develop if bacteria comes into contact with broken parts of teeth. The longer you wait for treatment, then, the worse things will be for you.
Chipped Teeth
So you’ve just chipped your tooth and need a dentist near me open, but are unsure how to go about finding one. The good news is that most dentists have some availability for emergency visits—and many will do their best to accommodate walk-ins—but you should be prepared to wait. Make sure you call ahead if you can, and don’t hesitate to show up during non-office hours if necessary. It may cost more than a regular visit, but at least it won’t cost you more in pain.
Dislodged Fillings
A displaced filling, or a chipped tooth, can cause a lot of pain and lead to more serious complications. If your tooth is cracked or broken but still in place, don’t wait to get it treated by a dentist. Additionally, if your bite feels uncomfortable and you have a toothache that doesn’t seem to go away within a few days after getting dental work done, schedule an appointment with our dentists as soon as possible. If you can’t reach our team right away due to an emergency dentist near me open on Saturday night, you can use 8-800-DENTIST as a resource for finding quick and qualified assistance.
Swollen Gums
The causes of swollen gums can vary, and depending on how much pain you’re in, they could be anything from simple to serious. It’s important to see a dentist if your gums have swollen up or if you can’t open your mouth as wide as usual. You might have an infection, you might have exposed a wisdom tooth that is being pushed into other teeth or bones by swelling (making it vulnerable to damage), or it could simply be that you need a cleaning. If you’re experiencing severe pain—or if your swelling seems extreme for any reason—contact your dentist immediately.
Toothache
The most common type of dental emergency, a toothache can be caused by anything from an infection to a cavity. It hurts. An acute toothache is sometimes characterized by sharp pain in one specific area, which may radiate to other areas depending on where in your jaw it’s located. However, it can also be painful all over your face if you have an abscessed tooth (where pus collects inside your tooth) or if you have an impacted wisdom tooth. An infected wisdom tooth that isn’t dealt with promptly could spread and even become life-threatening. That’s why it’s important to see a dentist right away for pain that doesn’t seem to go away even after taking over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Toothache with Fever
If your toothache comes with a fever, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Fever increases pain, which means you’ll feel worse before you get better. This type of emergency calls for instant dental treatment to relieve pressure on your infected tooth and to lower your fever so that it doesn’t prolong or intensify your discomfort. Without immediate attention, an infection may spread to surrounding tissue and bones in your mouth and face, infecting major organs like the heart or brain. To reduce swelling caused by an infection, bite down on an ice cube held between two clean washcloths for about 20 minutes at a time every hour or so throughout the day; do not apply ice directly to your skin.
