If you have a dental emergency that cannot wait until your regular dentist is available, then an emergency walk-in dentist is the answer. These dentists are available during off-peak hours and on weekends to provide care for dental emergencies like severe tooth pain or a knocked-out tooth.
Any trauma that affects the oral structures should be treated as a dental emergency. This can include a bitten tongue or lip, broken crowns or fillings, or even objects stuck between teeth.
Oral Infection
An infection of the mouth can be very dangerous if it is not treated quickly. Infections can spread rapidly and may result in severe symptoms such as pain, swelling, fever and even sepsis. The best way to prevent infections in the mouth is to practice good oral hygiene and see a dentist regularly. Salt water mouth rinses can help to ease the pain and discomfort of an oral infection. It is also important to take antibiotics as directed if given an antibiotic.
Infections in the mouth can affect many different parts of the mouth, including the gums, cheeks, tongue and lips. The most common type of infection is a dental abscess, which forms when bacteria invade the tooth pulp. The pulp is the inner part of the tooth that contains blood vessels and large nerves. The bacteria can move out of the tooth and into the bone and tissue surrounding it, causing an abscess.
Other infections include herpangina, which causes painful blisters around the mouth. Herpes simplex, which is caused by the herpes virus, can cause sores that are painful and fluid filled. Finally, pericoronitis is an inflammation that occurs when food gets trapped underneath the flaps of a partially erupted or impacted wisdom tooth.
All of these infections can be life-threatening if not treated immediately, so it is important to seek out a dentist as soon as possible when you experience any of the symptoms listed above. Fortunately, advances in dentistry and antibiotics have made dental infections much less common than they once were.
Toothache
A toothache is a common symptom that something is wrong with your mouth. This can be as simple as a tooth sensitivity or as serious as advanced gum disease or an infection in your nerves. The most important thing is to find the source of your pain so you can get it treated.
Tooth decay is the most common cause of a toothache. This occurs when bacteria in the plaque that clings to your teeth eat away at the hard outer coating of enamel. This exposes the soft center of your tooth to food, drinks and even air, making it sensitive to hot or cold temperatures or to any pressure placed on a tooth.
If you have a toothache that lasts more than a few days, it may be time to call an emergency dentist in Stockton CA. Often, this is a sign of an infection in your pulp, which contains the nerves inside your teeth. The dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics and a root canal to relieve the pain.
If you have a knocked out tooth, you must not try to stick it back in place. This can damage the empty socket and lead to a permanent loss of the tooth. If you can, rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any debris in the socket. You can also use over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen while you wait to schedule your appointment.
Broken Tooth
A broken tooth can be quite painful and it’s important to seek treatment right away. If the break is not serious, a dentist may be able to bond and repair it with composite resin or another similar material. Serious breaks can require root canal treatment and a dental crown.
A crack that extends from the chewing surface of the tooth toward the root can cause severe pain and damage if not treated. The cracked tooth becomes vulnerable to further damage from irritants like hot or cold foods and drinks, saliva, bacteria, etc.
In some cases, a cracked tooth can even need to be removed. A dental crown may help, depending on the extent of the crack and the patient’s overall oral health.
In order to avoid toothaches and other dental emergencies, it’s a good idea to schedule regular dental appointments. It’s also important to teach children good dental hygiene. Even infants should visit a dentist as soon as their first tooth emerges, and no later than their first birthday. Children should continue to see a dentist regularly throughout their childhoods in order to prevent cavities and other common dental issues. It’s also important to limit their exposure to sugary foods and beverages, as this can lead to tooth decay. A dental exam can detect these problems before they develop and help prevent serious medical conditions.
Tooth Damage
If a tooth has been chipped or broken, that is considered an Emergency Dentist in Stockton CA condition and should be treated right away. This will prevent the crack from getting worse and causing more damage. If possible, locate any pieces of the tooth and bring them with you to the dentist.
Other types of dental emergencies include any injury to the soft tissue inside the mouth or jaw that needs immediate attention. This can be caused by an accident or by untreated gum disease. If there is a lot of bleeding, it should be controlled by pressing a clean cloth to the area. Any swelling filled with pus or pain should also be addressed as it may be the start of a life-threatening infection called an abscess.
An abscess is a painful pus-filled sac that forms in the tooth’s root or the space between the teeth and the gums. If it is not treated immediately, it can cause severe infections that can spread to the rest of the body. This type of infection usually requires antibiotics as well as pain relievers. In some cases, a root canal or tooth removal may be needed to treat the infection.