Emergency Dentistry: When Immediate Treatment Is Required

Emergency Dentistry Columbus, OH

Emergency dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses mainly on addressing issues that require urgent treatment. A regular dental appointment might require you to wait one or two weeks for the next open slot on your dentist’s schedule. That is not an option when dealing with dental issues that cause excruciating pain, bleeding or a fever.

Figuring out when emergency dentistry is needed

Not sure which issues require emergency dentistry? Here are common dental problems that require immediate treatment from a dentist.

1. Knocked-out tooth

A knocked-out tooth is one of the worst dental injuries that a person can go through, but it can be surprisingly easy to treat when the patient makes it to the dentist within a few hours. Knocked-out teeth can be reattached when brought to the clinic within this period.

Not going to a dentist immediately after a tooth is knocked out leads to having to replace the lost tooth with an oral prosthetic. This costs more than simply having a dentist reattach a knocked-out tooth.

2. Infection

Dental infections occur when bacteria get into the pulp chamber. This area houses the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth, and it is normally sealed off so acids and bacteria in the mouth cannot get to the soft tissues in it. When a tooth becomes damaged due to trauma or decay, bacteria are free to infect the area.

An infected tooth often leads to severe toothaches that are impossible to ignore. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other areas, like the brain.

3. Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of pus that builds up around a tooth’s root or on it. The condition is often accompanied by severe pain, and there is always a risk of the infection spreading to other areas. An abscess requires emergency dental care and dentists often treat it by:

  • Prescribing antibiotics to fight off the infection
  • Draining the pus pocket and medicating the area
  • Performing root canal therapy to clean out the tooth’s pulp chamber

4. Excessive bleeding

Any injury that leads to excessive bleeding in the mouth counts as a dental emergency. For example, a cut to the tongue might bleed severely. Such injuries require emergency care so a dentist can stop the bleeding.

5. Severe toothache

Toothaches are ways that the body lets us know that there is something wrong in the mouth. When a toothache refuses to go away, it is often a sign of a serious problem that counts as a dental emergency. Dentists do not expect anyone to spend weeks in agony waiting for a dental appointment. If your toothache is incredibly painful, it is best to head to a dentist immediately.

Get emergency dental care

Dealing with any of the issues listed above? Give us a call or head to our Columbus clinic immediately to get the treatment you need.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesaheadfamilydentistry.com or call Smiles Ahead Family Dentistry at (614) 340-8240 for an appointment in our Columbus office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist in Columbus, OH.

Related Posts

When Your General Dentist May Recommend A Deep Dental Cleaning

Visits to your general dentist are done routinely, which for most people is twice per year or every six months. Sometimes, your dentist may recommend a deep dental cleaning. What is that? In this article, we will review what a dental cleaning is and when you might be due for one.Just like spring cleaning in…

General Dentistry Treatments For Your Oral Health

General dentistry services are designed to improve a patient’s long-term oral health. Although the services offered by general dentists vary, common services include routine cleanings, cavity fillings, scaling and root planing, dental crowns, and root canal therapy.On the first visit with a general dentist, they will conduct an oral examination and determine what treatments are…

What To Expect During Clear Aligners Treatments

Patients are often excited to have orthodontic work, such as clear aligners. Wearing regular braces might not be the right option for some people because of the discomfort. The good news is that issues like gaps are easy to address with clear aligners. The patient can easily have the teeth straightened, improving their appearance and…

Dental Restoration: Learn About Fillings

There are a few great dental restoration options for someone needing to repair teeth that are in bad shape. One of the most popular ones is dental fillings, which can be used to restore and renew teeth that are damaged or decayed. Dentists typically recommend fillings for a patient that requires a minor dental restoration…