Dental Emergencies
A dental emergency can stop you in your tracks. A cracked tooth could be painful or difficult to chew on. An unusual pain in the gums could be a sign of infection and give you a headache that just won’t quit.
Keep in mind that any dental pain or infection could be dangerous, which is why it’s important to seek out dental care as soon as possible. Our emergency dental care services keep your comfort in mind, ensuring you get what you need to feel better as soon as possible.
At Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry in Hamilton Township, NJ, our team is ready to handle emergencies and get you back to feeling like yourself again. Whether you have a chipped tooth or have had a crown fall off, it’s possible to get care the same day.
Here’s more on what you need to know about dental emergencies and when to give our offices a call.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any urgent oral health issue that requires immediate attention. Since oral health problems can sometimes be painful but not emergent, it’s essential to keep in mind that you can recognize an emergency if you have symptoms like:
- Severe bleeding
- Visible infection or swelling
- Trauma to the jaw or teeth, such as a knocked-out tooth or broken jaw
- Pain that prevents you from taking part in daily activities
For most people, it’s easy to tell that something is an emergency because it prevents them from doing anything they usually would. The pain or dysfunction is too great.
Below are some of the most common dental emergencies that we see in our office.
Common Dental Emergencies
These dental emergencies can happen seemingly out of nowhere. While your six-month check-ups can help prevent some of them, others can occur due to poor dental hygiene, accidents, or even normal wear and tear on the teeth or dental devices.
Chipped Teeth
One of the first dental emergencies is a chipped tooth. If a tooth is chipped or broken, it may become very painful and needs to be seen by your dentist. If a tooth is chipped but causes no pain, you can call and wait to be seen during the next business day in most cases.
Abscesses
Abscesses are infections in the teeth that can spread to the gums and beyond. They often require antibiotics, and you may need other dental work, too, such as a filling or root canal. If you believe you have an abscess (which is typically painful), then call our office right away. This is an infection that you want to have treated as soon as possible.
Broken Braces
When you wear braces, you could break a wire or bracket. If that happens, it’s essential to reach out to your dental office to discuss your next steps. It’s necessary to put the braces back on and to fix the wire to avoid injuries to other parts of your mouth and to maintain alignment.
Lost Fillings
A lost filling can be a dental emergency, mainly if it’s deep. Some fillings may fall out and barely be noticed (this kind of situation can usually be seen on the next business day, so long as you keep the tooth clean). Others will fall out and lead to pain and irritation due to the tooth’s interior being exposed to the air, food, and other debris. If you’re unsure if you should be seen for a lost filling, call our office, and we will help you with your next steps.
Missing Crowns
A missing crown is a dental emergency. A crown is placed to help maintain the integrity of your underlying tooth. If a crown falls off, you may have trouble with your bite, risk damaging the underlying tooth, and be in pain.
Toothaches (Severe)
Severe toothaches can mean that a cavity has become deep or that an infection has spread within the tooth. Fortunately, dental care can typically resolve a severe toothache within just a short time. In some cases, you may need to take antibiotics before or after a procedure, such as if you are starting to develop (or have developed) an abscess.
Call Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry for Dental Emergencies in Hamilton Township, NJ
At Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, we understand how painful and scary it can be when something goes wrong with your teeth, gums, or jaw. The good news is that our office has X-ray capabilities, excellently trained staff members, and a dental team that can get you feeling back to normal in a short time.
While not all emergencies can be resolved entirely within a single office visit, we will do our best to get you on your path to healing.
For any dental emergencies or questions and concerns, call our office today at 1-609-585-4545. We are here to help!
