Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies require urgent treatment. Ignoring the signs of a dental emergency can worsen the situation and lead to more complications. Emergency dentistry is a type of dentistry that focuses specifically on addressing dental emergencies. 

Why Might I Need Emergency Dental Care?

Sometimes, people require emergency dental treatment when they’re in pain or suffering from some type of oral injury. When this happens, it’s best to visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible. A dental emergency can be a scary situation – especially if the pain is intense and you don’t know what’s going on with your teeth or gums. Fortunately, emergency dentists can treat a variety of common dental emergencies quickly and safely to relieve pain and restore oral health.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to seek care from an emergency dentist right away:

• Jaw or facial swelling
• An injured tongue or lip
• Broken or lost teeth
• Cuts to the mouth or face (especially cheeks)
• Severe toothaches or tooth pain
• Bleeding from the gums or other areas of the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing food or liquids
• Toothaches that keep you awake at night
• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures

If you’re in any kind of pain or discomfort, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as you can. Untreated oral injuries can lead to more complicated problems like infections and tooth loss down the line. It’s always best to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid complications and additional issues.

What Types Of Treatments Are Provided At An Emergency Dentist Appointment?

Treatment provided will depend on the severity of the situation, such as whether a tooth has been knocked out or is cracked and broken. If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, it may be able to be re-implanted into the socket within a half hour of the incident occurring. 

Other common treatments include attaching a temporary crown to a tooth that has been cracked or chipped, performing endodontic therapy for infected teeth, and removing wisdom teeth that are impacted or growing in sideways.

What Happens After The Dentist Treats My Emergency Dental Condition?

After your emergency treatment, your dentist will advise you on steps you can take to ensure a speedy recovery. If at-home care is not enough to relieve your pain or discomfort, he or she may prescribe medication or other treatment options. Your dentist will also schedule a follow-up appointment to make sure everything has healed properly and to ensure your new crown, filling, or other procedures are working as it should. Some patients may require multiple appointments before they heal completely.

If you’re dealing with a toothache or another painful dental issue, schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible. Most offices offer same-day dental emergency services so you can get the treatment you need as quickly as possible.

Call Dr. Kevin D. Fong, DDS, at (510) 783-1572 or schedule an online appointment if you have a dental emergency. Email us at kevinfongdds@gmail.com to learn more about our emergency dentistry services.