What Is the Difference Between Emergency and Non- Emergency Dental Care?
There are instances where you require emergency dental care while others don’t. Knowing when you do and don’t can save the life of your natural tooth. A dental emergency is when you need immediate dental care as you might be going through severe pain and bleeding, and failure to go to see an emergency dentist can lead to tooth loss. On the other hand, non-emergency dental care is when you can wait until a convenient time to go and visit the dentist for a dental issue.
What Are the Signs That You Need Immediate Dental Care?
Emergencies can happen anytime; therefore, knowing the signs that you need urgent dental care is essential. Here are some of them:
- Swelling
Swelling can indicate severe infection, and this can be life-threatening. The swelling can happen in your lymph nodes, face, or gums. Swelling in your gums can indicate a tooth abscess that has not been addressed, and therefore the infection has spread deep into the tooth’s roots. Therefore, you should look for immediate dental care when you notice any swelling around your oral cavity.
- Severe Toothache
Have you experienced pain in your tooth that won’t go away even after taking a painkiller? Then it may be time to visit an emergency dentist near you. Persistent toothache can be a sign of a serious dental problem. The pain can come like a throbbing sensation in your mouth or sensitivity. When you go to the emergency dentist in Daphne, AL, they will perform an oral exam to determine the cause of pain, treat it, and relieve it.
- Broken or Cracked Tooth
Tooth trauma can leave you with a cracked or broken tooth. It will become challenging for you to chew food or even smile with a broken tooth. Additionally, a broken tooth can cause immense pain. This is where going for urgent dental care is crucial. The dentist will fix the broken tooth, preventing tooth extraction and reducing the pain caused by the tooth.
- Bleeding
Blood oozing from your mouth is never a good sign. You might notice bloody spots on your teeth, especially after brushing them. The blood originates from your gums, and they might be infected with gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can turn to periodontitis, a more severe gum disease. Periodontitis can lead to tooth sensitivity, painful chewing, tooth loss, and bad breath. So, to prevent all these, going for urgent dental treatment is crucial.
- Growth Or Sores in Your Oral Cavity
A growth in your mouth can indicate oral cancer. Therefore, if you notice any sores or growth around your gums or other areas, you should go to the emergency dental clinic as soon as possible. The emergency dentist will perform oral cancer screening to determine whether the growth and sores are cancerous.
- Sudden Tooth Loss
Sudden tooth loss can lead to severe pain. Losing a tooth is not only painful but displeasing. You wouldn’t be comfortable smiling with a missing gap. Therefore, when you lose your tooth, you should contact an emergency dentist to tell you what to do to save the knocked-out tooth.
Non-Emergencies
The following are examples of non-emergencies when it comes to dental care:
- Tooth cleaning, routine checkups, and x-rays.
- Tooth extraction- this is where the affected tooth is not causing any pain.
- Restorative dentistry- needing a tooth filling or crown.
- Consultation for cosmetic dental procedures.
So, the difference between emergency and non-emergency dental needs is that the former is essential in saving the life of the natural tooth, while the latter isn’t. Therefore, what can you do during a dental emergency?
What To Do During a Dental Emergency?
Before leaving your house to go see an emergency dentist in Daphne, Al, you can take some measures to minimize the risk of infection and increase the chances of saving your tooth.
When you have a toothache, it is recommended to gaggle warm saltwater. The saltwater can reduce inflammation and remove any bacteria. You can also apply a cold compress on the painful area to reduce swelling.
On the other hand, if you have a knocked-out tooth, pick it up by the crown and try and place it back in its socket. If you cannot, rinse it and dip it in milk. The milk ensures the tooth is moisturized and ensures the survival of the tooth root’s cells.
Therefore, do not hesitate to visit Milestone Family Dentistry when faced with a dental emergency. Our dentist near you will treat your dental problem and restore your smile.