Maybe you take pretty good care of your teeth and gums. You remember to brush twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse with mouthwash as needed. However, it’s still possible that you could experience a dental emergency at some point — a chip in your tooth, a toothache, a gum infection, or worse. That said, you’ll want to be prepared when or if that happens. Luckily, your local dentist can help. Here’s a summary of three major things to expect from an emergency dental visit.
#1 – A Quick-But-Thorough Exam
After you arrive at their practice, your dentist will do an emergency dental exam.
While a regular one determines your overall health, an emergency examination only looks at the source of your dental problem. Therefore, it’s quicker and less detailed — especially when the patient already knows the cause of their pain.
During this time, your dentist will see whether you show signs of gum inflammation, infection, exposed tooth nerves, etc. They may also look for wisdom teeth damage or a missing crown.
#2 – An Effective Dental Treatment
Depending on your issue, your dentist could provide same-day treatment. They may recommend a pain-killer for a toothache or remove an object lodged between your teeth.
On the other hand, they may suggest a process that takes more time. Examples of the latter include root canal therapy or deep teeth cleaning. They could also give you medicine for infection and only start treatment once said infection has cleared.
#3 – Dental Anesthetics or Sedation
It’s common for people to visit an emergency dentist because of pain. Assuming that applies to you, your emergency dentist may numb you with anesthetics to better examine and treat the affected area.
Even if you aren’t in pain, your emergency may require anesthetics. You also might need sedation if you suffer from dental anxiety or if your dentist needs to perform an invasive procedure. Children may also need sedation to prevent them from moving or developing dental fear.
Accidents can and will happen, no matter the quality of your oral health. That being the case, remember the items above so you’ll be ready for possible dental emergencies!
About the Author
Dr. George A. Hoop is a dentist and periodontist based in Naples, FL. Having over thirty years of experience, he provides the community with a variety and breadth of dental services that can’t be found anywhere else. To that end, he gives patients highly-personalized preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency dental procedures. Dr. Hoop currently practices at Total Dental Solutions and can be reached at his website or by phone at (239)-594-8817.