Buckhead Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Atlanta Emergency Dental Care
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Here’s a look at some common dental emergencies in Atlanta and what to do if they happen.
Severe Dental Pain
If you have a toothache or orofacial pain that does not respond to over-the-counter painkillers, you may want to contact an Atlanta emergency dentist. “Toothache” refers to any pain that radiates out from your tooth. That’s often a sign that the pulp is decayed and that you need a root canal, dental fillings, or a tooth extraction. Orofacial pain, in contrast, refers to any pain in your mouth, jaw, or face around that area, and that may stem from a toothache, pulpitis, or an injury.
Until you can get into the office, try rotating through over-the-counter pain medicine but never exceed the recommended dosages of each. Also, consider putting an ice pack on the side of your face that hurts and alternating it with heat packs. It can help to rinse with salt water and some patients turn to clove oil for its germ-killing and mild anesthetic properties.
Dental Trauma
In a lot of cases when you’re dealing with a toothache, the issue has been there for a while, but it suddenly gets worse and you need help. Dental trauma, in contrast, generally relates to a specific injury, and this can include injuries to your teeth, gums, and tongue as well as your lips or cheeks. Contact Atlanta Emergency Dental Care which offers emergency dental care in Atlanta with a description of the trauma. They can give you instructions and let you know when and if you need to come into the clinic.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Slipping and falling, sports injuries, car accidents, and a variety of other situations may knock out a tooth. If this happens, find the tooth, rinse it off, and try to gently place it back in the socket. If you can’t put it into the socket, put it in a small container of saliva or milk, and contact the emergency dentist immediately. The sooner you get to the Atlanta emergency dental clinic, the more likely it’s possible to save your tooth.
Tooth Fracture
Rather than knocking out the tooth, some injuries just fracture it. You may see cracks in the enamel, through crowns, or even into the root system. An Atlanta emergency dentist can ensure that the structure of the tooth is not damaged. Then, they can smooth out the edges and fill the crack. If the root is cracked, an extraction may be necessary, but if that happens, there are multiple ways to replace that tooth.
Inflammation of Soft Tissues
After an injury or when a tooth is erupting, the soft tissues may get inflamed. This can be very painful, and it’s often a sign of infection. Don’t ignore the pain. Dental infections are serious and can lead to severe health issues or even death in worst-case scenarios. Contact a dentist for Atlanta dental emergency care as soon as possible. Sometimes the swelling may actually be infection or cellulitis which requires a heavy dose of antibiotics and hospital care. Do not hesitate to visit an emergency room if you feel feverish, the swelling is affecting your ability to swallow or breathe, or if there are any changes to your vision.
Make an Appointment With Our Atlanta Emergency Dentists
If you are dealing with a dental emergency, it’s critical that you reach out and get the care you need. At Buckhead Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we offer after-hours and weekend emergency lines to connect you to trained staff members to assess the situation. Contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental emergency treatment has to accommodate the patient’s requirements at a moment’s notice because there is the potential for additional complications that could endanger their health. This type of dental care focuses on stopping any bleeding or dealing with worsening infections that can create complex dental health and overall health problems.
There isn’t generally a need for an emergency dentist unless you have to solve a real dental emergency. If you have problems where there is persistent bleeding, severe inflammation, throbbing pain, or signs of an abscess, you should immediately consider the situation a dental emergency, seek an emergency dentist, and go to the ER.
An orthodontic emergency is different from a more general dental emergency because they are not generally life-threatening. Orthodontic emergencies are situations related to your treatment efficiency and the integrity of your orthodontic appliance. Some situations include a loose bracket, poking wire, and lost clear aligners. These situations can have some quick DIY fixes, but you’d do well to contact an orthodontist to get a more permanent fix.
Generally speaking, the start of most dental emergencies is an indicator that, by itself, shouldn’t really be a dental emergency. Please pay close attention to any developing signs of throbbing or uncontrollable pain, as it may signify that there is a more complex, underlying problem. Bleeding, swelling, and pain are all indicators that you may be experiencing a dental emergency and require immediate help.
There are emergency dentist offices you can visit during cases that require specialized and timely treatment; however, in most cases, you’re better off calling your regular dentist and seeking help in an ER setting. Still, get in touch with your dentist to figure out what you can do about your situation when you need immediate help.