Emergency Dental Care
EmergencyDental Care
While you can’t predict an accident, you can count on Potomac Falls FamilyDentistry for emergency dental care!
When it comes to dental emergencies, you need prompt attention and care. To delay treatment could mean more intense pain and discomfort, plus more extensive and expensive dental work. For that reason, it’s wise to know when you should call us for an emergency appointment.
Dental Concerns that Need Immediate Care
Any of the following problems should be regarded as a “dental emergency”:
- Severe toothache accompanied by an abscess or fever: An abscess or infection in your mouth is a serious issue and should be treated immediately.
- Knocked-out tooth due to an injury: Sports injuries or other accidents could knock out a tooth. If you are able to see a dentist promptly with the tooth, they might be able to reinsert it in its socket and save it.
- Painful broken or chipped tooth: If a chipped or cracked tooth is causing you considerable pain or has left sharp fragments in your mouth, you should see a dentist immediately.
- Toothache that spreads to your jaw and ears:While a toothache is fairly common, a severe toothache that travels to your jaw and ears could potentially be an emergency.
Dental Concerns that Are Not Necessarily Emergencies
There are a few dental issues which do need urgent care, but are not considered an emergency:
- Chipped tooth: A chipped tooth which isn’t painful still needs dental treatment. However, you don’t need a same-day appointment to treat it.
- Lost dental filling: If you lose a dental filling, you can schedule an appointment with our office during regular office hours. Chew a piece of sugar-free gum and place it where your filling was until you can come in for your appointment.
- Mild toothache: As long as your toothache is not severe and is not accompanied by an abscess or fever, you can wait for regular office hours to schedule an appointment.
- Braces with broken wires or loose brackets: A broken wire in your braces or a loose bracket is definitely a reason to see a dentist promptly, but it is not an emergency.
How to Avoid Dental Emergencies
While accidents and emergencies are sometimes unavoidable, it is important to take all possible precautions to safeguard your teeth, including:
- Practice good oral care: Good oral care goes a long way in keeping your teeth and gums healthy and avoiding potential dental emergencies. Brush your teeth twice daily, floss once a day and schedule regular appointments with your dentist for cleaning and checkups.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports: Wear a protective mouthguard before participating in any sport or recreational activity which poses a risk of injury to the mouth.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools: Don’t use your teeth to remove bottle caps, rip open bags or cut tape or other material. Always use a bottle opener or scissors instead.