17 million people take a trip to an emergency room per year, but how do you know when you need to see an emergency dentist? An emergency dentist is a dentist that is on-call to receive and respond to emergencies. They typically work after hours. But sometimes it can be hard to tell if you have a dental emergency or if it can wait a few days. If you’re unsure whether or not you need an emergency dentist in Edmonton, Janz Family Dental offers five tips that can help.
1. Persistent Toothache
A severe toothache that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter medication or other methods of pain management needs to be seen by an emergency dentist. Pain points to bigger problems like infection. If there’s no visible reason for a toothache, only your dentist may be able to diagnose the problem. If you do have a toothache, but it responds well to medication, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist, but it may not be considered an emergency.
2. Broken Tooth
Broken teeth can be extremely painful and are usually considered a dental emergency. However, if you act quickly, you may be able to save the tooth, and the dentist can reinsert it. Be sure to preserve the tooth before heading to the dentist. A small chip or crack in your tooth is usually not a dental emergency, and you can wait a few days to see the dentist if it doesn’t progress.
3. Bleeding or Swelling
Bleeding is never a good sign, and persistent bleeding is even more serious. While some bleeding is expected if you brush too hard, bleeding that does not stop may indicate a disease or infection. If you’ve tried to stop the bleeding but were unsuccessful, call your emergency dentist or Janz Family Dental for help. Swelling is also an indication that something isn’t right, especially swelling that seems to appear out of nowhere. If the swelling doesn’t diminish, call your dentist.
4. Lost Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is considered a dental emergency. This is because you leave your gum exposed to bacteria that could infect your gums. As with a broken tooth, if you act quickly, it can be put back and preserved. The same is true with a missing or broken crown; however, these are not always considered emergencies. If you have broken a crown, reach out to your dentist for instructions.
5. Abscess
A dental abscess is a sign of an infection. Abscesses are filled with puss and usually painful. An infection that is not addressed and spreads will cause further dental problems. If you discover that you have a dental abscess, you need to call your dentist immediately so that the infection doesn’t spread.
Knowing When to Call an Emergency Dentist
Emergency dentists are there to help you when you cannot see your dentist and have a true emergency. Knowing what qualifies as a real emergency can help you make the proper appointment and save yourself time. Do you need emergency dental services? Janz Family Dental in Edmonton will happily take care of your emergency dental needs
