Man With Dental Emergency Treatment at Dentist of Paoli

6 Reasons You Should Deal with Dental Emergency Quickly

May 1, 2023

What Is a Dental Emergency?

It is an oral health problem that requires immediate attention from a dental professional to prevent further damage, relieve pain, and restore normal function. Usually, a dental emergency will arise suddenly and unexpectedly, affecting any part of the mouth, including the teeth, gums, jawbone, tongue, or lips.

Types of Dental Emergencies

Even though dental emergencies range from mild to severe, pay attention to your oral health to seek immediate medical care. Usually, it starts by identifying the type of dental problem you have. Common examples of dental emergencies include:

  1. Severe toothache or pain
  2. Knocked-out or partially dislodged tooth
  3. Cracked or fractured tooth
  4. Broken dental restorations and appliances, such as crowns, dentures, braces, or fillings
  5. Tooth abscesses or infections in the mouth
  6. Severe bleeding from the mouth or gums
  7. Dislocated or broken jawbone
  8. Swelling or inflammation in the mouth or face
  9. Object stuck between teeth
  10. Injury to the tongue, lips, or cheeks leaving open wounds and lacerations

Reasons You Should Treat a Dental Emergency Quickly

There are several reasons why you should treat a dental emergency quickly. Here are some of the most important ones:

  1. To relieve pain: Dental emergencies often feature extreme and often unbearable pain. Delaying treatment will only prolong the agony. Instead, getting urgent dental care will alleviate and treat the root cause of the pain, not just suppress it for a few hours.
  2. To save your teeth: If you delay treatment, the dental emergency will worsen, quickly resulting in premature tooth loss. Quick action can save your teeth and prevent further damage. Besides, the treatment will go a long way in restoring normal function and appearance where you have suffered in the ability to eat, speak, and smile comfortably due to dental emergencies. Quick treatment can help restore normal function and appearance, allowing you to go about your daily life without discomfort or embarrassment.
  3. To prevent the spread of infections: Dental emergencies typically leave your teeth and gums vulnerable. Prompt treatment prevents infections from spreading and causing further complications such as abscesses, swelling, and bleeding.
  4. To save money: Did you know that dental emergency services can help you save money? Treating a dental emergency early can often be less expensive than waiting until the problem has worsened. Delaying treatment can result in more extensive and costly procedures like tooth extractions than replacements with dental implants.
  5. Prevent the need for extensive treatments: Money is not the only thing you save by visiting an emergency dentist near you. Ideally, delaying treatment will lead to needing more invasive, complex, and extensive treatments in the future, such as root canal therapy or tooth extraction. Early intervention can prevent the need for such procedures.
  6. Relieve anxiety and stress: There is immense peace of mind after visiting a dentist in Paoli, PA, for urgent dental care. This way, you for not have to deal with a stressful and anxiety-inducing dental emergency, especially if you’re in pain or unsure of what to do.

Can You Avoid Dental Emergencies?

While it’s impossible to avoid dental emergencies completely, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:

  1. Practice good oral hygiene: brush your teeth at least twice, floss once daily, and use mouthwash regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
  2. Visit the dentist regularly: Schedule routine checkups and cleanings at the Dentist of Paoli every six months to catch any potential dental problems early.
  3. Wear protective gear: A mouthguard protects your teeth from impact, especially when participating in sports or other intense physical activities.
  4. Avoid hard foods: Foods like ice or popcorn kernels can chip or crack your teeth.
  5. Mind your oral habits: Tendencies like biting fingernails or using your teeth to open packages or bottles will damage your teeth.
  6. Address dental issues promptly: If you have a dental problem, such as a cracked or decayed tooth, do not wait too long before you seek treatment. Delaying treatment can lead to more serious and painful dental emergencies.