Dental emergencies can happen anytime and when they do, they require immediate attention. Common emergency dental situations include severe tooth pain, lost dental fillings or crowns, cracked or chipped teeth, and even dental abscesses.

Although the physician in your local emergency room is able to help with some health issues, they are not trained in dental care. Therefore, it is best to contact a dentist who works 24 hours a day.

Toothaches

Toothaches are the most common dental emergency and can be caused by anything from food stuck in a tooth to a serious bacterial infection. Regardless of the cause, any pain that lasts more than two days should be evaluated by a dentist. Rinsing with cold water and taking over the counter painkillers may temporarily help with the discomfort, but it is best to make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.

Sharp and jabbing pain often indicates that a filling or crown has fallen off and needs to be replaced. In this case, it is important to protect the tooth with dental cement or cotton balls and use a moist gauze or tea bag to keep it in place until an emergency dentist Murfreesboro TN can see you.

To prevent toothaches, brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once daily and use mouthwash. It is also important to visit a dentist every six months and to limit sugary foods and drinks.

Tooth Injuries

Dental injuries occur as the result of trauma to your teeth, gums or jaws. They may be mild or severe and can result in pain, swelling and other serious complications. Injuries can range from a tiny chip that exposes the sensitive inner layers of your tooth to a knocked out tooth that requires careful handling and reimplantation to avoid further damage. Regardless of the extent of the injury, prompt treatment can improve your prognosis.

The most common dental injuries include fractures of the root or tip of your tooth, which are typically treated by root canal therapy. Symptoms of these injuries often include throbbing pain, pain when eating or drinking cold foods and/or beverages and swelling. Bleeding gums are another indication of a possible problem and should be addressed promptly. We can connect you with an emergency dentist Murfreesboro TN near you to treat your oral health problem.

Broken or Chipped Teeth

Whether from biting down on an olive pit left on your pizza or playing contact sports without a mouthguard, chips and cracks are often painful. The best thing to do when this occurs is to find a dentist near you and visit them as soon as possible. This will prevent the damage from worsening and will help save your tooth.

The most serious type of cracked or chipped teeth is one that reaches the root. This can be very dangerous for your oral health, as bacteria can enter the crack and cause infection. The dentist will usually recommend a root canal and crown to treat the damaged area.

A swollen jaw or mouth can be a sign of several dental issues, including gum disease, infection or injury. It can also be a symptom of certain cancers or other medical conditions. If you experience this problem, contact an emergency dentist near you for treatment.

Broken Restorations

Like natural teeth, dental fillings and crowns are prone to damage. When these restorations break, crack or get dislodged, it’s considered a dental emergency. This is because the exposed dentin allows bacteria to enter, causing infection and inflammation that can extend to other areas of the mouth or body.

Emergency dentists are trained to evaluate the extent of trauma and determine an appropriate course of treatment. They often work with oral surgeons and other specialists to provide comprehensive care. They can also offer preventive strategies to reduce the risk of future dental emergencies. This includes regular dental checkups, proper oral hygiene practices and avoiding contact sports that could cause injuries to the teeth or gums.

Broken restorations should be treated as soon as possible to minimize pain and discomfort. Our dentistry provides affordable and comfortable restorative solutions including upper and lower partial dentures. Our skilled team is highly experienced in providing these options. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!