Dental Emergencies
Beaverton, OR
The sudden taste of blood in your mouth, the unpleasant crunch when you bite into food that definitely should not have crunched, or the presence of your tooth unexpectedly sitting on your tongue: if you have ever encountered any of these scenarios, then you have likely experienced a dental emergency. Dental emergencies can take on many forms but knowing when you have suffered from one can be somewhat confusing. We here at Summercrest Dental can help you tell right away if you are in the middle of a dental emergency, and we can quickly restore your smile to good health.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Knowing when you are experiencing a dental emergency is the first step in getting treatment for it. Many scenarios may seem like an emergency but may be somewhat mild or moderate. For instance, having a chipped tooth—especially on a visible front tooth—may seem like a crisis. However, it may be more of a cosmetic concern, and as long as you are not in pain or bleeding, you may be able to wait until you can schedule an appointment at our office. If the tooth hurts, though, or is sharp and abrading your mouth, please call us right away.
On the other hand, these following examples are dental emergencies. If you have a severe toothache, then it may be vital that you see us immediately, especially if the pain is present when you bite down, or you are running a fever. The presence of pus can also be a red flag, a sign that you have a dental abscess, which needs to be treated right away to prevent it from spreading and becoming septic.
Blood in your mouth may also be a dental emergency. It could mean that you have a major abrasion, a bleeding infection, or a lost tooth. We need to see you right away to assess the site of the bleeding to determine what the issue is. If it is a loose or dislodged tooth, we can still save it if we start treatment immediately. A root canal may be required, or we may determine that a prosthesis (a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture) is the best option. If your tooth falls out, place it in a class of milk and give us a call to be seen right away.
If you lose a crown or a filling, you may be worried that your tooth is in danger. If your tooth hurts, definitely give us a call for a same-day appointment. If you are not noticing any pain, though, then you can give us a call, and we can help you determine if you need to be seen the same day or if we can schedule you for an appointment later in the week. In the interim, you can place a little piece of dental wax or sugarless gum over the tooth to help prevent the rough edges from cutting your lips, cheek, or tongue.
We do not expect you to be able to recognize a dental emergency, but you can count on us to promptly diagnose and treat yours. If you suspect that you have a dental emergency, please give us a call here at Summercrest Dental at (503) 649-7701 for an assessment and, if needed, prompt and thorough treatment. |
