A sudden toothache or mouth pain can be worrisome. While you may be tempted to take over-the-counter pain relievers and wait it out, if the problem persists, you should have the area examined as soon as possible. Your El Paso, TX, family dentist offers emergency visits for situations like these. Seeking immediate care can help determine the problem and treat it before it can develop into a worse situation.
Is This An Emergency?
Emergencies can manifest in different ways. If you are wondering whether the situation is urgent enough to seek immediate care, you can use these questions to decide. First, is the area bleeding or causing you discomfort? If yes, it should be treated urgently. Bleeding may occur if the area has undergone trauma, such as being hit. To relieve discomfort and minimize bleeding, you can apply gauze or cloth to the area. A cold compress and over-the-counter pain reducers may be able to ease your discomfort until you can see your dentist.
Has the tooth been hit? Is it loose? Accidents can happen, and when they do it is important to assess the damage. If one of your pearly whites has been hit and feels loose, has fractured, or has become dislodged, seek care as soon as possible. A fractured tooth can become infected if it is ignored for too long. If the area is swollen, apply a cold compress while you wait for your emergency appointment. Swelling may happen after trauma to your mouth, tongue, gums, or tooth has occurred.
Seeking Care For Your Injury
Once you have assessed the problem and determined it is an emergency, call your dentist right away. Do not wait until your next checkup to have the area looked at. Ignoring the problem will only allow it to worsen and cause more extensive damage. When you call us for an urgent appointment, the staff may give you directions to follow as you wait. We will try to get you in as soon as we can. Most dental emergencies are not life-threatening, but it is still important to have them treated promptly.
Have a friend or family member drive you to this appointment so that you can be comfortable. When you arrive, the dentist will examine the area and assess the situation. Then, the necessary treatments can be discussed. Problems such as trauma to the tooth may be restored with a dental crown to protect the fractured tooth from further injury or infection. If you have a severe cavity or an abscess, it may be resolved with root canal therapy.
Call Us When You Need Urgent Dental Care
Not all accidents can be prevented. If you need emergency dental care, call Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, today at 915.759.7000 to treat the problem swiftly.