Signs You Need to Call an Emergency Dentist

A dental emergency is a medical condition that requires prompt treatment from a dentist. Dental emergencies usually involve severe or sudden tooth pain or a dental injury.

What Is Considered A Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is usually a sudden or unexpected event that results in injury or damage to the teeth and/or gums, which can be excruciatingly painful. This can be the result of decay, trauma, infection, injury, etc. Often, the immediacy of the pain is what leads patients to call their dentists.

Some common causes of a dental emergency are:

• Toothache
• Broken tooth/teeth
• Cracked tooth/teeth
• Knocked-out tooth/teeth
• Abscessed tooth/teeth
• Lost crown or filling
• Loosened braces wire
• Object stuck between teeth
• Teeth that are gradually becoming sensitive to cold
• A broken jaw (or fractured jaw)
• Mouth sores that won’t heal

If any of these events occur, it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as possible so as to avoid further damage and possible complications. Common symptoms to look for include:

• Pain that is constant and severe
• Gums that are swollen and bleed easily
• An increase in sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Pus around the tooth or in the gum line
• A bad odor coming from your mouth
• Persistent headaches
• Jaw soreness

At Hallmark Dental Group, we’re here when you need us. Give us a call, and we’ll work to see you as soon as possible. We can even schedule you with our next available appointment to get you out of pain or discomfort in no time.

In the meantime, though, here are some steps you can take at home to relieve any pain and discomfort until you’re able to get in to see us.

Rinse out the mouth with warm water to help dislodge anything that might be stuck on the teeth and/or gums.

• Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth to reduce any inflammation in the area and provide you with some temporary relief from pain.
• Use over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen, Tylenol, or aspirin to manage pain and reduce inflammation.
• Avoid drinking and eating hot foods and beverages in order to avoid further irritation of the oral tissues.
• Don’t use tobacco products, as they are extremely damaging to your oral health and could cause further damage.

Once the patient arrives at Hallmark DentalGroup for their scheduled visit, our dentist will conduct a thorough examination to determine if any damage has occurred and determine what treatment will be administered. In most cases, our dentist will use cosmetic bonding to reattach the tooth and restore the function and appearance of the smile. If there is an infection, we may perform a root canal procedure. If the crown or filling cannot be repaired, our dentist can provide the patient with a dental crown or bridge to restore the function and appearance of the tooth.

For more information on our dental services, schedule an appointment with our dentist at Hallmark Dental Group or visit our dental office in St George at 335 East St George Blvd #201, Saint George, UT 84770.