What is emergency dentistry?
A dental emergency is any mouth problem that needs immediate attention — when you can't wait 24-48 hours to receive treatment. Emergency dentistry applies to issues, whether from trauma or another cause, that could significantly worsen without professional treatment. These problems include:
- Abscess
- Intense mouth pain
- Gum infection
- Loose crown or filling
- Tooth loss
- Broken or cracked tooth
If you need emergency dental care, call Gregory Family Dental right away.
How do you know if you need emergency dentistry?
Some cases — like when you lose a tooth — are clearly a dental emergency. Other situations might be less clear whether you can wait for treatment. Dr. McLaurian recommends that you seek emergency dentistry if you experience these or other issues:
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Severe pain when biting down
- Bulging or swollen gums
If you have any of these symptoms, contact Gregory Family Dental and describe what happened so they can advise you on the next steps. And remember: If your mouth injury is because of a blow to the head, be sure to get checked out at an emergency room before seeking dental treatment.
How can you avoid emergency dentistry?
You can't prevent accidents from happening, but you can reduce the chances of needing emergency dentistry when you maintain good oral hygiene.
Attend twice-yearly checkups
Routine appointments allow Dr. McLaurian to catch teeth and gum issues early on. Early treatment prevents minor issues from turning into major problems.
Don't take unnecessary risks
Never use your teeth for opening bottles or biting down on hard objects. You could easily chip a tooth or bruise your gums.
Use protective equipment
Do you take part in high-impact sports? Mouthguards and face shields protect your teeth from knocks and blows.
If your lifestyle puts you at risk of a mouth injury, speak to the team at Gregory Family Dental for tips on what you can do to prevent it.
How can you prepare for emergency dentistry?
When you’ve made an emergency dentistry appointment, you can avoid further delays by preparing before you arrive.
- Bring identification and any insurance paperwork, if possible
- Provide information on your medical history and current health status
- Bring all current medication, if possible
- Come with someone who can drive you home if necessary
Emergency dentistry prevents long-term damage that could seriously affect your health. Get the treatment you need as soon as you need it. Call Gregory Family Dental or schedule an appointment through this website.
