3 Situations Why You Might Need an Emergency Dentist

An emergency dentist can provide swift treatment for urgent dental issues, allowing patients to enjoy faster relief from pain and other serious symptoms. There are no dentists in emergency rooms — ER doctors can stop bleeding and alleviate pain, but they cannot perform dental procedures. Situations that require an emergency dentist include: 1) Extremely loose or knocked-out teeth — when a permanent tooth falls out or is on the verge of doing so, time is of the essence. If a patient waits several hours, the tissues of the tooth can begin to die and it can no longer be reattached. Baby teeth knocked loose may also need treatment to avoid future speech, digestion, and alignment issues. 2) Chipped or cracked teeth — chips and cracks expose the inner tissues of the teeth to bacteria, leading to faster decay or infection. The impact that caused the chip may also have caused deeper problems requiring professional evaluation. 3) Dental infections — symptoms include severe or throbbing pain, inflammation, unexplained bleeding, and oozing around the affected area. Infections left untreated can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which can be fatal. Patients suspecting a dental infection should see an emergency dentist right away.