What are the Most Common Dental Emergencies?
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Trauma and injury to the face and mouth can be scary, especially if it results in damage to your teeth, gums, or jawbone. At Dental@888 General and Aesthetic Dentistry, our team wants to ensure patients have access to emergency dental care right away to help alleviate painful symptoms and restore their oral health. Dr. Hal Kussick is a Seattle dentist who works with patients near and throughout Seattle, WA, tending to their emergency care needs and their routine preventive care.
What is emergency dental care?
Emergency dental care is a series of same-day dental interventions used to alleviate oral symptoms that require immediate attention. Patients may experience injuries to the face that result in a tooth getting knocked out, a laceration to the lips or tongue, or other trauma that can wreak havoc on their overall oral health. At Dental@888 General and Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Kussick works to almost immediately assess your emergency needs and provide the best treatment options available.
What constitutes a dental emergency?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental emergencies are “potentially life-threatening and require immediate treatment to stop ongoing tissue bleeding to alleviate severe pain or infection” of the teeth, gums, jawbone, or other oral structures. In many cases, patients may struggle with understanding if their unique situation should be classified as a dental emergency. If you have any questions or concerns about what constitutes a dental emergency, contact us at Dental@888 General and Aesthetic Dentistry.
Common dental emergencies
Some of the most common dental emergencies include:
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Knocked-out or partially knocked-out teeth
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Broken teeth
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Fractured jaw or facial bones
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Nonstop or severe bleeding of the mouth
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Tooth abscesses
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Severe or persistent toothaches
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Lost fillings or crowns
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Broken orthodontics
What are nonemergency dental problems?
Nonemergency dental situations do not require immediate intervention to help preserve your oral health. Examples may include:
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Chipped or cracked teeth
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Lost or loose restorations
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Mild toothaches
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An asymptomatic tooth that needs to be extracted
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Minor bleeding of the gums
What an emergency dental care visit looks like
A patient will come to our office and undergo a thorough assessment, including digital scanning and x-rays, to determine the nature of their trauma or injuries. Once Dr. Kussick has completed his assessment, he will provide you with available treatment options to help alleviate pain or detrimental symptoms. Patients may need to return to our office for follow-up appointments or additional interventions.
When to go to the medical emergency room first
If you have incurred injuries or trauma to the head, neck, or face, you may need to visit the medical emergency room first before visiting us for emergency medical care. Once you’ve received treatment or have ruled out any serious medical ailments (i.e., concussion, severe bleeding, nerve damage, etc.), you may come to our office for emergency dental care services.
How to prevent dental emergencies at home
Although not all oral trauma can be prevented, men, women, and children can proactively take steps to protect their oral health at home. Tips may include:
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Wearing a mouth guard during high-contact activities or sports
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Attending routine check-ups and professional cleanings to prevent infection and decay
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Avoid life-threatening activity
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Eat a nutritious diet to help keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong
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Avoid hard-to-chew foods that can crack or damage your teeth
Learn more about emergency dental care
If you reside in or near Seattle, WA and would like to learn more about our emergency dental care services, contact us at Dental@888 General and Aesthetic Dentistry and schedule a consultation today. Call us to discuss the differences between emergency and nonemergency dental care. Visit Seattle dentist Dr. Hal Kussick for routine check-ups and preventive dental care.