Emergency Dentistry Near You
Needing urgent dental treatment is something many of us don’t anticipate. Accessing quick, quality care is important when these situations arise. Otherwise, the problem can persist and turn into something worse.
Fortunately, at Harmony Dental Care, our same-day emergency dentist is here to assist you with all your needs. Don’t worry about phoning ahead; just come in and see us as soon as possible. We’ll get your smile properly fixed up in no time.
What is Emergency Dentistry?
As the name clearly says, emergency dentistry refers to the branch of oral medicine that treats patients experiencing severe pain, trauma, or injury to their teeth, gums, or entire mouth. This type of dentistry is typically provided outside of regular office hours, such as evenings and weekends, and is designed to address issues that require immediate attention.
Emergency dentists near you are trained to treat various concerns quickly and effectively. Depending on the situation, they can perform a variety of processes and procedures, such as root canal therapy and tooth extractions, to alleviate pain and prevent additional harm.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, it is important to seek care from an emergency dental clinic in Waterloo or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Don’t delay treatment.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
An oral health professional may see an array of common dental emergencies daily. These are noted and explained below:
● Toothache
It’s okay for your teeth to hurt occasionally. Still, when this ache is persistent and can’t be alleviated with Advil or Tylenol, it might indicate tooth decay or an infection.
● Broken tooth
This problem can arise due to trauma or biting down too hard on food. As a result, pain and sensitivity can manifest, and the sharp or jagged edges of the damaged tooth can irritate your cheeks and tongue.
● A dislodged tooth
Trauma, sports injuries, or other accidents can result in a knocked-out tooth. Act quickly and visit a dentist near you immediately; the sooner you do, the better the chances of re-implantation.
● Lost crown or filling
A missing dental prosthetic can expose the tooth, meaning that sensitivity, discomfort, and serious pain can develop.
● An abscessed tooth
An abscess is a sac of pus that forms around or near the tooth. It typically arises from an infection, leading to swelling, trouble swallowing, and even a fever.
● Object(s) stuck between your teeth
Sometimes food or other objects can become lodged between your teeth, causing discomfort or pain. If you can’t remove the object by flossing and rinsing, seeing a dentist is important to avoid further damage to the teeth, especially your gums.
● Orthodontic emergencies
This can occur when structures like braces, for example, are broken or otherwise damaged. Discomfort and pain can quickly arise, so seeking professional care as soon as possible is important.
● Soft tissue injuries
Most people don’t realize skin, lips, and tongue injuries are dental emergencies. They require urgent attention to stop an infection or further injury and to promote healing.
If you’re dealing with problems, contact an emergency dentist to receive emergency dental services promptly. Your smile is important; it impacts eating, self-confidence, speaking, and even breathing. Untreated damage can trigger more severe problems in the near and distant future.
What To Do in An Emergency?
Because these events tend to arise without warning, dealing with a dental emergency can be overwhelming. With that said, here are some tips to help you handle the situation until you’re able to see a dentist:
- Stay calm – This is one of the best things you can do because panicking won’t help. It is natural to feel anxious or scared, but just take a few deep breaths to clear your head and assess the situation.
- Manage the pain – Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help you manage the symptoms. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
- Control the bleeding: If bleeding from the mouth, rinse gently with warm salt water and apply pressure to the area with a clean gauze or cloth.
- Keep any broken fragments – If a tooth’s been knocked out, place it in milk or saline solution to keep it moist until you can see the dentist. Take the entire tooth and fragments to your emergency dentist appointment.
- Manage a broken or fragmented tooth – Gently rinse your mouth with warm water and press a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling.
- Look after your mouth – Use dental wax or a cotton ball to cover any sharp edges of a broken or chipped tooth to avoid injuring your tongue or cheek.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies?
There are several methods you can adopt to help stop smile emergencies from occurring; such tips are outlined below:
- Tip 1: Maintain good dental hygiene brushing
Your teeth twice a day and flossing, and using mouthwash at least once a day is arguably one of the most effective things you can do to prevent decay and gum disease, which can lead to dental emergencies.
- Tip 2: Visit your dentist regularly
Frequently dental exams and cleanings will allow your dentist to detect and treat any dental issues before they become serious. It’ll also save you from visiting a 24-hour emergency dentist in Waterloo.
- Tip 3: Wear a mouthguard
If you participate in sports like football, hockey, basketball, or other physical activities, make sure that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from both internal and external impacts.
- Tip 4: Avoid biting/chewing on hard objects
Eating harder things like ice, popcorn kernels, and certain candies can chip or break your teeth.
- Tip 5: Be mindful of what you eat
While you don’t have to cut out sugary and acidic foods and drinks completely, it’s still good to be mindful and eat more to keep your smile strong. The former can erode your tooth enamel and raise the risk of tooth decay.
- Tip 6: Remember your teeth aren’t tools
Don’t use your teeth to open packages or bottles or do anything else they’re not designed for. Use scissors instead!
Contact Our Emergency Dentist in Waterloo!
Our local dental practice assists you with all your oral health needs. No problem is too small or too complex. You deserve the best of care, and our welcoming, skilled team of dentists, hygienists, and administrative personnel are all at your service; we’ll do our best to see you promptly and get your teeth and gums back to functioning normally, and looking beautiful.
Call us today to learn more information.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Yes, you should seek out the assistance of a dentist near you as quickly as possible; otherwise, your problem may worsen, and you’ll need more extensive and costly care.
Chronic tooth pain, swelling, broken or dislodged teeth, and severe decay are some of the most common dental emergencies that oral health practitioners frequently encounter.
If your tooth isn’t causing discomfort or continual pain, it may not necessarily be a dental emergency. However, if your mouth hurts, see a dentist in Naples soon.
Multiple factors impact the cost of urgent dental care, including the type of treatment performed, the degree of repairs needed, and whether a patient has insurance coverage. Feel free to talk to your dentist to learn more.
Take Advil or Tylenol to manage the discomfort. Pressing a cold compress against the side of your face that’s hurting will help as well. If the pain is excruciating and won’t fade, visit a clinic for emergency dentistry in Waterloo, ON.
Again, if your damaged tooth isn’t causing you immediate or sharp pain, it may not be considered an emergency. But it will need to be treated eventually so that further harm or infection doesn’t occur.