What’s the most common dental office emergency? When you work at a dentist office open on saturday, there’s no way to predict what kind of emergency might arise at any given time. Fortunately, they’re generally not life-threatening, but they can still throw your day into disarray if you don’t know how to handle them properly. To help out the dental professionals out there who are new to running their own offices, here are three of the most common dental office emergencies and some tips on how to handle them.
Aching Gums
A common dental office emergency involves bleeding gums. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if your gums are just irritated or if you’re getting an infection. To find out, contact your dentist; he or she can usually tell you over the phone if there’s anything to worry about, and will tell you whether or not it’s necessary to come in for an immediate visit. In most cases, however, teeth and gums heal faster with immediate attention, which is why many dentists are open on Saturdays and will make time for emergencies (though some will charge extra). If you don’t have a dentist yet, use our directory to find one near you! It’s also a good idea to keep a list of important numbers—including your dentist’s—in case of any other medical emergencies.
Unwanted Tooth Sensitivity
It’s not unusual for patients to ask about tooth sensitivity after a visit to their dentist. Most people have experienced some level of sensitivity at some point in their lives, but when it becomes intense and constant, it’s usually due to poor dental care and can be very distressing. Sensitivity is often a sign that you may need a good cleaning or other dental treatment, and your best option is to contact your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you seek help, the better! If you don’t have an emergency dentist on hand, here are three tips to manage pain from tooth sensitivity:
An emergency dentist will typically be able to give you some short-term relief from sensitivity by performing a procedure called desensitizing. This involves applying a special material over your teeth so they won’t hurt when you chew ice or cold foods. You should see an improvement within 24 hours and continue with desensitizing treatments until you no longer feel any discomfort. In many cases, sensitive teeth will return if too much time passes between visits—and most dentists recommend getting cleaned every six months—so keeping up with regular checkups is important.
Swollen Gums
A swollen mouth is one of those things that can be painful, itchy and uncomfortable. It’s also often an indication of a toothache or another issue. Asking your dentist if they can see you after hours is always a good idea—but if you’re not able to get an appointment right away, head to your local pharmacy and pick up some Orajel. For swelling on its own, applying a small amount of Orajel directly to your gums should do the trick—though check with your dentist before doing so. If it’s accompanied by pain, however, you might need stronger medication; consult with your doctor about whether or not antibiotics are necessary for a tooth infection. In either case, you may want to consider making an appointment as soon as possible. Swollen gums can be a sign of more serious issues, including gum disease and other problems that require immediate attention.
Chipped Teeth
When a tooth is chipped, a dentist will usually recommend that you go in for a root canal immediately. A chipped tooth can actually be very uncomfortable and even painful. The dentist may have to anesthetize your mouth to make sure you don’t feel anything during treatment. At first, it’s common for patients to feel nervous about getting dental work done on a weekend or after hours. However, with today’s technology, many offices are now equipped with tools that enable them to provide care in emergencies like these. Call your local dentist office today if you have any questions about emergency procedures or composite veneers cost!
Loose or Broken Fillings
One of the most common dental office emergencies is a loose or broken filling. When you bite down, it’s supposed to feel like all your teeth are making contact with one another. If your tooth feels weird (or lumpy), it could be that something is wrong. You may have a cracked tooth, decay, or an old filling that has come loose. Loose fillings can cause pain and other issues as well when they are left unattended for too long. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist if you suspect something may be wrong. Fixing a loose filling often takes just one appointment and can save you lots of time in terms of avoiding possible complications down the road, like severe pain or even infection of surrounding tissue or bone!
Bad Breath
Dentists receive many calls a week from patients who have emergency appointments because of bad breath. More often than not, these people are suffering from post-nasal drip and dry mouth. In most cases, there is no immediate threat to your dental health. However, you should still visit your dentist as soon as possible for an examination and diagnosis so that you can be sure your condition isn’t something serious or dangerous.
Sore Throat
When you’re sick, your body sends out a distress signal. You may be under-slept or stressed, so there are many reasons why your body doesn’t feel right. So what happens when it’s your mouth that hurts? If you have tooth pain, you might be worried that something is seriously wrong. If you don’t already see a dentist regularly, it could be an emergency to get one in a hurry. Your dentist can tell whether it’s just cavities or something more serious like periodontal disease or tooth decay (cavities). Here’s how: First, he’ll look for signs of inflammation around your teeth and gums and do some tests to check for periodontal disease and cavities.
Needles in Gum Tissue – Lip Bumps
If you’re experiencing gum pain after an office visit, it may be because of a tiny needle left in your gums. These dental needles are typically used to numb sensitive areas during an exam, like behind a tooth or around your wisdom teeth. Inevitably, some needles get overlooked and left in place when your dentist is done working on you. This can cause inflammation and even infection if not found and removed immediately. If you have any discomfort after a visit to your dentist, see him or her right away; there could be a needle in need of removal!
