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What Is A Dental Emergency?

Dental Emergency Manassas

In dentistry, just like in other areas of medicine, some cases require urgent and immediate dental attention. Dental emergency cases need the intervention of a qualified, skilled, and experienced dentist to manage the situation professionally. Learn more about dental emergency care below. As always, contact Manassas Smiles for any questions and concerns. We’d be happy to help.

What does a dental emergency entail?

Generally, a dental emergency refers to any dental related issue affecting the teeth, gums, and other oral tissues that require urgent medical attention. In addition, dental emergency intervention by qualified dentists aims at alleviating the pain, discomfort, bleeding or tooth-saving treatment options. 

The following highlighted instances present as dental emergencies.

  • Are you in severe, persistent dental pain? Serious pains in the oral cavity should prompt you to seek urgent medical attention
  • Loose or missing tooth- seek early dental intervention to save the loose tooth. In the case, a missing tooth, make steps to visit your dentist 
  • Tooth infections of any type and severity
  • Bleeding from the mouth, teeth or gums

What qualifies as a dental emergency?

Tooth Fracture

A tooth fracture is quite common in instances of accidents, falls, blows, or injury to the face. Also, a cracked tooth occurs in instances of great force applied instantly to the tooth, and usually presents with severe and persistent pain. Thus, it is important to seek immediate medical attention to assess the extent of the damage and best treatment option. 

Missing Tooth

In short, cases of a sudden missing tooth, the patient is always in great sustained pain, and might also present with bleeding from the gums, depending on the extent of the damage.

It is important to seek urgent dental attention to assess the damage, arrest bleeding, and alleviate the pain. Treatment options include dental implants, bridges, or dentures. Overall, the tooth replacement devices help you regain function and fill the gap of the missing tooth.

Oral Infections

There are several types of oral infections that require urgent medical intervention. Most serious forms of gum disease, tooth infections, and dental abscesses will need an immediate checkup by a qualified dental professional. In brief, dental infection usually presents with inflammation, which comes with swelling, pain, and reddening, making it hard to eat or talk easily and comfortably. Likewise, tooth abscesses are serious dental infections. In brief, the abscess is a pocket of pus resulting from a bacterial infection. Furthermore, dental abscesses present with severe, constant pain that might radiate to the adjacent tissues. Above all, oral infections require immediate treatment to prevent the progression of the disease, alleviate pain and discomfort, and regain normal function. 

How to avoid dental emergencies

Regular dental checkups

The doctor will offer treatment plans to manage the existing dental illness. Also, your dentist will offer you important medical information to help prevent the occurrence of dental emergencies.

Good oral hygiene measure

Overall, proper dental care ensures you prevent the occurrence and progression of dental diseases. Basic measures like regular teeth brushing and flossing are vital in preventing the occurrence of future dental emergencies.

Avoid bad lifestyle habits

Habits like excessive alcohol intake and cigarette smoking serve as precursors to dental emergencies. Avoid such vices to prevent the occurrence of dental emergencies.

Learn More

Contact Manassas Smiles to learn more about maintaining proper dental care. We offer a wide range of dental care including dental emergency treatments. Call (703) 335-1020 or schedule an appointment online here. Moreover, new patients are welcome!