Do I Need Emergency Dental Services?

Many dental conditions can cause major pain, which is an indication that you have an underlying problem. Severe pain or acute symptoms may cause you to wonder: do I need emergency dental services? While the underlying cause of your dental pain may not be serious, some symptoms can make emergency dental services necessary.

Poor dental health can cause you to experience painful conditions like tooth infections. Dental pain accounted for 1.4% of ER visits in 2007. Most dental-related emergency room visits may provide immediate relief but ultimately require intervention from your dentist. Roughly 23% of all dental-related emergency room visits are considered non-urgent, meaning they are best treated at a dental appointment. Sometimes, serious dental emergencies, like infections, can require emergency dental services because they can lead to life-threatening complications.

Emergency Dental Conditions

Emergency dental conditions are urgent and require immediate treatment. Common signs and symptoms of a dental emergency that Lovett Dental can help include:

• Severe pain
• Losing a tooth
• Bleeding from your mouth or gums
• Development of a dental abscess
• Cracked or fractured tooth

If you have a tooth infection caused by bacteria entering your tooth pulp, you can experience pain and swelling in your mouth. Tooth infections can also spread throughout your mouth and body, especially if a dental abscess ruptures. Another common emergency dental condition is knocked out teeth. Impact injuries can lead to a tooth getting knocked out, which requires emergency dental treatment.

When you have an emergency dental problem, it is important to contact your dentist immediately. Your dentist may recommend a trip to the emergency room if you have severe symptoms. Otherwise, your dentist may offer emergency dental appointments that can identify and treat the cause of your symptoms.

Do I Need Emergency Dental Services?

If you have ever wondered do I need emergency dental services, chances are you are currently or have previously experienced acute dental problems. Toothaches and infections can lead to acute pain, while neglected tooth decay or gum disease can cause chronic jaw, mouth, and gum pain. If an untreated condition like tooth decay causes your dental problem, your dentist can remove the existing cavity to ensure you don’t experience future discomfort.

Lovett Dental emergency dental services address urgent and potentially life-threatening issues like a fractured tooth or severe infection. Doctors rarely consider things like cavities as emergencies, even if they cause some discomfort.

If you are wondering, do I need emergency dental services, it is best to contact your dentist. Making sure you attend annual dental exams is an important way to prevent dental emergencies from happening. Annual exams can offer services like professional teeth cleanings and fluoride treatment options, which help protect your teeth and prevent tooth decay.

Tooth decay is the leading cause of painful dental issues, meaning that dental emergencies are often the result of untreated tooth decay. When you don't treat tooth decay, it can spread. Plaque and tartar accumulation can also enter the space between your teeth and gums, which can cause loose teeth and gum disease.

When this happens, you can deal with acute symptoms or a lost tooth. Ensuring you regularly maintain your oral hygiene can help prevent bacteria and plaque buildup in your mouth, which decreases your risk of dealing with things like misalignment and infections.

Finding the Best Emergency Dental Services Today

Don’t wait until you’re in pain to call your dentist. Neglected and untreated tooth decay can lead to painful conditions, leaving you asking, "Do I need emergency dental services?" Annual dental exams and teeth cleaning services are a major part of any successful dental hygiene routine. Call Lovett Dental today at 832-804-7427 to schedule your dental exam.