Emergency Dentist Alpharetta, GA
While patients can avoid many oral problems with preventative care and regular visits to the dentist, emergency dental treatment is occasionally necessary. Dentists may administer this type of care during or outside of regular office hours to help patients with various oral problems, such as infections or missing teeth. Emergency dental treatment is care administered to relieve mouth pain without prior scheduling.
Emergency dental treatment is available at Windward Parkway Dentistry in Alpharetta and the surrounding area. We use this type of treatment to care for many common mouth problems to improve patients' oral health. Proper care and treatment are essential for helping patients recuperate from a dental emergency.
If you are experiencing severe mouth pain and need immediate medical treatment, call us at (770) 814-6224 to make an appointment and have your oral health restored.
Common Dental Emergencies
According to the American Association of Endodontists, emergency dental care is appropriate when a person:
- Breaks, cracks, or chips a tooth because of an impact or fall
- Loses a tooth because of an impact or fall
- Experiences severe pain because of a decayed or infected tooth
Some damage or trauma to teeth may be an emergency that requires immediate restorative dental care. This could include replacing a filling, installing a temporary crown, or performing a root canal. An emergency dentist may be able to give you emergency advice over the phone. For example, If an adult tooth is knocked out of place, put it in milk and then get to a dentist as soon as possible.
“Some damage or trauma to teeth may be an emergency that requires immediate restorative dental care.”
Treating a Toothache or Abscess
As WebMD explains, the type of treatment for a dental emergency depends on the patient's specific injury. While waiting for an appointment with their dentist, the injured individual may need basic first aid. The patient may need to wait for a call-back from the emergency dental practice outside regular office hours.
For a severe toothache, rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm water and remove any food particles gently with dental floss. Cold compresses can help with swelling and pain in the affected area. Do not place a painkiller such as aspirin against the painful tooth, as doing so can injure the gum tissue. However, taking acetaminophen orally can often control the pain associated with a toothache. Avoid aspirin, which can exacerbate bleeding.
If an abscess develops on the gum tissue, rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution a few times a day. Depending on the reason for the pain, the dentist may remove or repair the decayed tooth before prescribing an antibiotic to relieve the infection.
“.While waiting for an appointment with their dentist, the injured individual should perform basic first aid.”
Benefits of Emergency Dental Care
Emergency dental treatment helps relieve mouth pain quickly and effectively. Dental trauma can occur from an accident or an injury. Seeking immediate care when a problem occurs prevents it from becoming a more extensive issue requiring harsher treatments. By taking control of dental emergencies and visiting the dentist immediately, patients can drastically improve their oral health.
“Seeking immediate care when a problem occurs prevents it from becoming a more extensive issue requiring harsher treatments.”
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Go to an Emergency Benefits Instead of the ER
There are instances where one would go to the emergency room for a dental issue. When dealing with trauma to the face and mouth that could be life-threatening or lead to severe disability, a hospital ER is the place to go. Jaw fractures, dislocations, or swelling in the mouth area that affects breathing are examples of situations in which one should proceed to the nearest emergency room.
While an ER can help to treat medical injuries and issues, there are limits in what they can do for a dental emergency. Thus, people with damage to their teeth should see a dentist who has the proper equipment and training. Most ERs do not have a dentist on staff. They often provide pain medications and antibiotics and tell the patient to see a dentist as soon as possible. Also, a visit to a hospital emergency is costly. The best thing to do in the case of a dental emergency is to call a dentist right away.
“While an ER can help to treat medical injuries and issues, there are limits in what they can do for a dental emergency.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. Why should I seek emergency dental care?
Q. What should I do while waiting to get to the emergency dentist?
Q. How can I tell if I have a dental emergency?
Q. What should one do for a toothache when waiting to see a dentist?
Q. Should you go to the ER for a dental emergency?
People Also Ask
Q. Is increased sensitivity to temperature a sign that endodontic surgery is necessary?
Q. What are some of the reasons one might need a tooth extraction?
Q. What is the treatment for a cracked tooth?
Q. What are the symptoms of a cracked tooth?
Q. What are some of the signs indicating a need for tooth extraction?
What To Do While Waiting For Emergency Dental Treatment
If a patient is suffering from any kind of dental trauma, the first thing to do is contact the dentist for instructions. Treatment options vary depending upon the type of problem. For a lost filling or crown, patients can use a small piece of sugarless gum to cover the opening temporarily. Mouth pain can sometimes be alleviated with over-the-counter medications, while extensive dental trauma may require patients to pack their mouths with gauze.
“If a patient is suffering from any kind of dental trauma, the first thing to do is contact the dentist for instructions.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I avoid a dental emergency?
A. Protect your teeth and gums when playing sports by using a mouthguard made to fit your mouth precisely. Do not chew hard items such as candy and ice that can damage teeth. Do not use your teeth as tools (to open a package, for example), which can also cause breakage and injury. Keep a first aid kit with gauze and acetaminophen in case of a dental injury.
Q. Is tooth sensitivity a dental emergency?
A. If you experience pain or sensitivity when the teeth are exposed to heat, cold, or pressure, a cavity could be the cause. This symptom is also common among those who have recently had a dental procedure. However, it does not constitute an emergency unless the pain becomes severe.
Q. What type of pain signals a dental emergency?
A. Sharp pain that occurs when you bite down often indicates a broken or damaged tooth. If pain occurs to the gum area within 30 seconds or so of eating hot or cold food, this could indicate damage or infection to the pulp of the tooth. Both of these situations require immediate dental care.
Q. Should I seek emergency dental care for a small crack or chip?
A. Minor damage to the teeth is often painless and is not necessarily an emergency. Chips and cracks that affect only the tooth's enamel can often be filled, polished, and smoothed. However, you should see the dentist right away to prevent further damage. A crack or break in the tooth becomes more urgent when the root is exposed, which can cause severe pain.
Q. What if I have a loose adult tooth?
A. A loose permanent tooth is a dental emergency. If left untreated, the tooth could fall out entirely. Gently push the tooth back into alignment and see a dentist right away for reattachment.
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Dental Terminology
Learn More About How Emergency Dental Care Can Help You
A dental emergency can be frightening, and it is important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Our practitioners can treat your problem to relieve mouth pain quickly. Call Windward Parkway Dentistry at 770-814-6224 today to schedule an appointment in Alpharetta.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
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