What is Emergency Dentistry?
Any dental concern that requires immediate treatment in order to save a tooth, stop bleeding tissue or alleviate severe pain is considered a dental emergency. When an accident happens or severe tooth pain occurs, time is of the essence. No one wants to be in pain. You want to be seen and treated right away to get the help and relief that is needed. It is important to visit your dentist as soon as possible and we are here to help.
Severe Pain or Sudden Sensitivity
Severe, throbbing tooth pain and sudden sensitivity to hot and cold are signs that you have some sort of tooth damage. The pain could be coming from a cavity that has become too deep, to a crack in a tooth, to infection and an abscessed tooth. When any pain becomes too much to bear, it is time to be seen and diagnosed. No need to wait!
Tooth Fracture or Displacement
A tooth can break in a variety of different ways— from merely biting down on something hard to severe trauma to the mouth. The fracture allows foreign material to get into the tooth and infect the pulp and nerves, which then leads to severe pain. The fracture can be repaired with dental glue, a veneer, or a filling. We might need to recommend a root canal and/or a crown as well. If a permanent tooth gets displaced or knocked out, immediately rinse your mouth out with water and stop the bleeding. It is important to keep the tooth moist at all times. You can try putting it back in the socket without touching the root or put it in milk, saline solution or water until you can get to our office for treatment. We will do our best to save and restore your precious tooth.
Infection or Abscess
An abscessed tooth results from a pocket of pus that is caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms can include a persistent throbbing toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold, fever, swelling in your face or cheek, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, you should be seen by a dentist as soon as possible. Leaving an abscessed tooth untreated can lead to serious, possibly life-threatening, complications.
When to be seen for a dental emergency?
In the case of any significant trauma to the mouth or when you are experiencing unusually high levels of tooth/mouth pain or other dental emergency in Knoxville, TN, there is no need to wait to be seen by your dentist. Now is the time to come in to be examined and treated. Relief is on the way! Give us a call and we will get you in as soon as possible. Don’t worry…we have an after-hours emergency number so you can reach us at any time.