Most Common Dental Emergencies

An emergency dentist is a dentist who provides prompt dental care for patients who have a dental emergency. Dental emergencies can include an accident that causes a dental injury, a toothache, or a condition that is worsening to the point that a patient needs to see a dentist immediately.

When you arrive, your dentist will examine the mouth and take X-rays to get a complete picture of the situation and determine what treatment is needed. Most dentists have treated many cases like yours before, so they’re fully prepared.

Here are the most common dental emergency situations we come across:

Toothaches

A toothache, or dental pain, can occur for many reasons. It might be a sign of tooth decay or an infection caused by an abscess, which can damage the nerves and lead to more severe dental pain. Other causes of dental pain include a fractured tooth, a damaged filling, a dental injury, or even a sinus infection.

When you have a toothache, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water and floss gently. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a cold compress can also help relieve dental pain.

Knocked-out Teeth

A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency. If the tooth is clean, pick it up by the crown and transport it to your dentist in milk or saliva. Don’t scrub the tooth or handle it with dirty hands. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with cold water.

If the tooth is loose, don’t pull it out. Call your dentist instead. If the tooth is fractured, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.

Abscessed Teeth

An abscessed tooth is a severe dental emergency. An abscess happens when bacteria are allowed to build up inside of your mouth, causing an infection. That infection can form deep inside your gums and teeth and result in severe pain and swelling. The infection can even make its way into your jawbone, causing a dangerous abscess there.

Broken Teeth

A broken tooth is a dental emergency that should be treated as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the break, the dentist may need to perform a procedure to restore your tooth.

If the break is small, the dentist may just apply a splint or temporary crown to stabilize the tooth. A larger break will likely require an inlay, onlay, or dental crown.

Loosened or Fractured Teeth

A broken or fractured tooth is often caused by trauma, such as a blow or fall, or from biting on hard foods. Minor cases of broken teeth can often be fixed with a filling or crown.

However, more severe fractures or breaks may require more comprehensive treatment, such as root canal therapy or a custom dental crown, as well as treatment for complications, such as an infection.

Oral Infections

Oral infections can occur when bacteria are allowed to build up in the mouth. Certain medications, such as antibiotics, can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the mouth and cause an infection.

To schedule your appointment with us, contact Korte Family Dentistry at (402) 489-3115 or visit us at 3901 Normal Blvd STE 202, Lincoln, NE 68506. We will be happy to guide you further.