How Emergency Dentistry Can Help You

Oh no! You feel it coming on again. It's a toothache.

Experiencing a toothache is like no other type of pain. There is little relief for it, so you'll need to seek emergency dentistry in Cave Springs, VA.

Emergency dentistry is designed for toothaches. But it's also for other emergency issues relating to your teeth. It provides immediate attention to issues that require professional help.

This guide explains how these services work when you experience emergency dental issues.

What Are Dental Emergencies?

Dental emergencies come in many shapes and sizes. However, there are some common ones:

Infections

Teeth and their components can develop infections. Dentists often call these abscesses, and they generally have several symptoms.

A tooth infection will hurt. You'll feel a throbbing, persistent pain. You can take over-the-counter pain pills, but these may not help much.

Tooth infections can also cause the gums to swell and turn bright red. In some cases, they can even bleed. If you develop an extreme infection, it may cause a fever. 

Infections often require root canal procedures, which are common. Dentists perform around 15 million of these each year.

Toothaches 

Toothaches occur from infections and for other reasons. A toothache tends to throb, but you might not even know which tooth hurts. The tooth pain can penetrate through the entire mouth, leaving you miserable.

Chipped or Cracked Teeth

Emergency dental issues also include chips and cracks in teeth. You might experience a cracked tooth if you fall or get hit in the head with something. Teeth can also crack or chip from eating something hard.

A tooth with a chip or crack needs immediate attention. Bacteria can work into a tooth's roots more easily if the tooth is cracked. Cracks and chips make teeth more vulnerable to problems and infections. 

Loose Permanent Teeth

Permanent teeth shouldn't fall out. If they do, it normally happens from trauma. However, permanent teeth might become loose if they have issues such as decay.

A dentist might be able to fix a loose permanent tooth. In some cases, dentists can even repair knocked-out permanent teeth.

Gum Problems

Finally, emergency dental services address gum issues. If you develop swollen, red, or bleeding gums, you should get help. These are signs of gum disease and will require professional help.

How Do You Know If You Have One?

So, how do you know if you need dental care for a tooth emergency? First, you can look at the problems described above. Does your problem fit into one of those categories?

Secondly, consider the severity of the symptoms. For example, how bad is the pain? Is it tolerable?

Additionally, what other symptoms do you have? If you have a tooth problem accompanied by a fever, you should probably visit an emergency dentist.

If you're still unsure, call Roanoke Dental. Describe the issues you're dealing with and ask for advice.

The professionals can provide advice on addressing the issue. They can also offer assistance in coping with the issue while waiting for the appointment. 

How Do Dentists Treat Them?

Dentists treat emergencies on a one-on-one basis. They begin by looking at the tooth and taking X-rays. They'll ask you about the symptoms and diagnose the problem.

Next, they'll determine how to fix it. They may have only one option for fixing it. But there are some issues that might have multiple options.

Therefore, the treatment option used depends on the problem and situation. Here are some ways they fix emergency dental issues:

Root Canals

Root canals are a common solution for abscesses. A root canal cleans out the tooth's roots, removing the infection. After that, the dentist fills the roots with a material that hardens. 

It's very common for a person to need a dental crown after a root canal. To access the roots, dentists must grind down a tooth. This grinding leaves a tooth weakened and incomplete. 

Tooth Extractions

In some cases, dentists can't save teeth through root canals. The only solution may be to remove the tooth. 

If you get a tooth removed, the dentist might suggest replacing it with a dental implant. Implants are stand-alone teeth that look and function like natural teeth.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics clear up infections. If you have an infection, the dentist might require taking medication until it clears up. Then, you may need a root canal on the tooth. 

Reattaching or Fixing Teeth

If your problem is a chipped, cracked, or loose tooth, the dentist can fix the issue through various methods. They may suggest a crown, cap, or veneer. They might also reattach the tooth with tooth cement. 

What Are the Risks of Waiting?

Ignoring the problems will not make them go away. In fact, ignoring them may cause them to worsen. 

A toothache, for example, will not typically go away on its own. This is especially true if you have an infection.

First, you'll need to get an antibiotic to treat the infection. Then, you'll likely need a root canal to save the tooth. 

Ignoring the toothache might lead to more pain. It may also cause you to have pain for weeks or months. 

Additionally, an untreated infection could lead to tooth loss. Did you know that 26% of adults over 65 have eight or fewer teeth? You can prevent losing a permanent tooth by addressing the problem.

Failing to address a chipped or cracked tooth can also lead to tooth loss. In addition, failing to seek immediate help for a loose permanent tooth could also lead to losing that tooth. 

Another risk of waiting is the cost. It will cost less to address the problem quickly rather than waiting. The longer you wait, the more work the tooth may require. 

Seek Emergency Dentistry in Cave Springs, VA to Protect Your Teeth

Emergency dentistry in Cave Springs, VA, provides care when you need it. This care minimizes pain and saves teeth. When you have a tooth problem, don't hesitate.

Instead, seek care immediately from a reputable emergency dentist. 

Roanoke Dental has a team of dental experts for the entire family. We provide preventative and restorative dental services. We also assist with dental emergencies.

Get in touch with us today to learn more.