What is the Most Common Dental Emergency?

We tend not to think about the benefits of emergency dental care until we need them. Dental emergencies may creep up on us or occur suddenly from trauma. In any case, the team at Byers Station Dental is available for patients near Chester Springs, Byers, Ludwigs Corner, Eagle, and Exton, PA, in need of emergency dental care.

Keep reading to find out more about the most frequent dental emergency and how our team can help you through it.

What constitutes a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is unique to the patient. If you've never experienced dental pain before, the first time you do may seem like an emergency (and it may be). However, if you suffer from frequent cavities, you may not consider tooth pain an emergency until it becomes unbearable.

All types of dental trauma, such as chipped or cracked teeth, are considered dental emergencies. Severe tooth decay may also loosen a tooth dramatically and suddenly. A laceration to the mouth or tongue (such as biting the tongue hard enough to make it bleed) is also considered a dental emergency.

What are the most frequent dental emergencies?

Typically, patients come in for emergency dental appointments when they experience the following:

• A chipped or cracked tooth

• A knocked-out tooth

• Extreme pain from a tooth infection or abscess

• Broken dentures

• Loose fillings

• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth or bleeding as a result of trauma

• Problems with dental equipment, such as braces

It's important to seek help right away if something about your oral health is troubling you or you're experiencing an injury or pain. The longer you wait for treatment, the more likely your dental health issues can be treated with more conservative interventions. For example, mild tooth pain may indicate that a filling or root canal is necessary. But if this is ignored, a patient may require tooth extraction and have to wait for the healing process to complete in order to get an implant and tooth replacement.

For this reason, you shouldn't wait for the pain to become unbearable before you seek emergency dental treatment. A phone call to our team can help determine if you need to come in immediately, seek help in an ER, or schedule the next available appointment.

How are the most common dental emergencies treated?

When you call our team about a dental emergency, we make it a priority during our treatment hours. Depending on the symptoms you present with, your dentist will conduct an oral exam and possibly order x-rays. Some traumas may require an oral surgeon or another type of doctor.

Depending on the type of dental emergency you experience, you may want to apply ice to the area or take whatever pain relievers are appropriate. In cases where you have a known dental condition and are awaiting treatment, such as a root canal, your dentist may prescribe medications, such as antibiotics, to help ward off any potential infections.

Some dental emergencies can be life-threatening, so severe traumas or oral pain should prompt a call to our office.

Get emergency dental care in Chester Springs, PA

If you're experiencing a dental emergency near Byers, Ludwigs Corner, Exton, or Lionville, PA, the team at Byers Station Dental is here to help.

You can schedule an online appointment or contact our office in Chester Springs, PA at any time for help.