“I just lost my tooth,” You think to yourself. “What should I do?”
If you’ve had a situation come up where you’re worried about having a dental emergency, this article will help you understand what a dental emergency is. It will also help you understand when a dental emergency applies to your situation.
If you suspect that you’re experiencing a dental emergency, please do not use this article in place of getting the medical attention that you need. Please visit the nearest dentist office for help with your dental emergency.
What is a dental emergency?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the following situations are classified as dental emergencies:
- Having a tooth knocked out or come out of your mouth. This is a dental emergency because teeth in adults should be in place.
- Having your tooth cracked. A crack in your tooth might mean the loss of your tooth.
- Excessive blood coming from your teeth. A dentist would need to find out the cause of the bleeding.
- Experiencing tooth pain that is extreme. Toothaches should not be ignored. It’s very important to address them before they become severe.
- Having an infection. The infection may spread or cause the loss of teeth.
- Having teeth that are loose. Loose teeth should be a concern for adults in particular.
The reasons why these situations are considered dental emergencies are because of the harm that they cause. Saving your teeth should be a priority.
When is a dental issue not an emergency?
A dental issue is not an emergency if it doesn’t involve the situations mentioned previously. For example, a cracked tooth that doesn’t hurt isn’t really an emergency because that’s a situation where you can wait to get help. A toothache that is not severe or too painful is also not an emergency. This also goes for the loss of a filling or crown.
When should I see a dentist?
Overall, your dentist would be able to help you find out what’s considered a dental emergency. Going to the dentist as soon as you can will be very helpful to getting the treatment and care that you need.
In the state of Utah, Avenues Dentistry can help you with dental emergencies. We can also help you with non-dental emergencies. At our office, we have dentists trained in all areas of dentistry. Reach out to us today at 801-328-4173. You can also contact us here.