When to Seek Emergency Dental Treatment in Connecticut

Do You Have a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies are scary and they can turn your world upside down. You’re unable to eat or smile, you’re probably in considerable pain, and you may wonder how you’re going to resolve the issue. According to the CDC, unplanned dental issues account for more than $45 billion in lost job productivity and more than 34 million lost educational hours each year. However, with a little preparedness, you can feel considerably more confident if you or a loved one is faced with a dental emergency in Connecticut.

How Do I Know If I Have a Dental Emergency?

The definition of a dental emergency varies with each person because some people have a high tolerance level for pain. If you have pain that interferes with your sleep, however, and it’s not alleviated by over-the-counter pain remedies, then you have a dental emergency. If you have a persistent, dull, throbbing pain around your jaw and mouth, then you may have a severe dental infection or an abscess, particularly if the pain has lasted for several days.

Cavities can also be exceedingly painful and afflict about 26 percent of American adults and 66 percent of American adolescents. The CDC calls cavities one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. If you have injured the inside of your mouth and have a puncture or laceration or tear to the cheeks or lips or tongue, then you need to seek emergency services from a dentist. Other reasons to consult an emergency dentist include:

• A gum injury that continues to bleed profusely
• A cracked or chipped or loose tooth
• A tooth that’s been knocked out
• Mouth pain that’s accompanied by a fever and chills
• Swelling of your air passage that interferes with your breathing

Sometimes, you may not be in pain but may have a situation that warrants emergency dentistry, such as:

• Losing a dental crown or filling or porcelain veneer, especially when you’re eating
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Damage to your dental bridge
• Increased temperature sensitivity when you drink or eat

Do You Have Any of These 7 Signs of a Dental Emergency in Connecticut?

If you or any of your loved ones are experiencing any of the following dental issues, be sure to seek emergency treatment.

1. Swelling of the face: Facial swelling can indicate the presence of several serious conditions, such as a severe allergic reaction, an infection or inflammation, a fracture or a dislocated TMJ. If you have facial swelling, be sure to get emergency treatment from a local dentist.
2. Hemorrhaging: If you’ve recently had oral surgery or a trauma to your face and the bleeding doesn’t stop, seek emergency treatment without delay.
3. Gum injury: If you experience a cut or puncture wound to your gums, a dentist needs to clean and treat the wound and check to ensure that there’s no additional damage to the surrounding area.
4. Dry socket pain and infection: After an extraction, a small percentage of people will experience a dry socket because the blood doesn’t properly clot in the extraction site. This leaves the bone and nerve exposed to fluid, air, and food particles, and the socket can become infected and cause severe pain. The pain can radiate up the neck to the ear and cause a headache and dizziness. You may also notice an unpleasant odor emanating from the site due to the infection. Dry socket pain needs to be treated immediately.
5. A tooth that’s been knocked out: If you’ve had one or more teeth knocked out, your dental emergency professional may be able to save them if you get there in less than an hour. For those who participate in high-impact sports, the ADA recommends that an emergency tooth-preservation kit be kept available, but be sure it’s ADA approved.
6. Fractured jaw: If you experience trauma to your jaw, seek emergency treatment so that the dentist can determine if there are additional injuries that need to be treated.
7. A dislodged or missing filling: If you’ve lost a filling, the edges of the tooth can be very sharp and can damage your cheeks and tongue. Prompt attention to this issue will deter additional damage to the tooth.

Does an Abscess Have to be Treated Immediately?

If you have an abscessed tooth, it’s vital that you immediately seek emergency treatment from a dentist. An abscess is a severe bacterial infection that can spread to the major organs of the body, as well as the bloodstream, bone marrow, brain, and the sinus cavities. It can cause sepsis and be fatal, so emergency treatment is vital to a good outcome. Your dentist will drain the abscess, start you on antibiotics to fight the dental infection, and then analyze the tooth to determine whether it can be saved or you need a root canal. As many as 40 percent of people die because they develop mediastinitis, which is irritation and swelling of the area between the lungs. This is completely unnecessary, but it occurs far too frequently. If you have an abscessed tooth, then schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist right away.

Does a Cracked Tooth Have to Be Treated Immediately?

Whether you cracked a tooth when you bit down too hard on ice or hard candy or you had a sports trauma, if you’ve cracked a tooth, then you need emergency dentistry treatment. Your dentist can also provide you with immediate care instructions. If you cracked your tooth due to a sports injury or bruxism, then your dentist may suggest a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect your teeth from impact damage or erosion. If a custom-fitted mouthguard isn’t feasible, then stock mouthguards are available, as are boil-and-bite mouthguards. Be sure that the mouthguard you select bears the ADA seal of acceptance so you know that you’re purchasing a quality mouthguard that will protect your teeth when used as directed.

Most dental issues can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene and having regular dental checkups. However, accidents happen, so if you have a dental emergency in Connecticut or if you need any of our same-day walk-in dental services, call our Dental Care Alliance practice and let us help you. We’re very proud of our reputation within the community and you can be assured that you’ll receive consistently high-quality service that’s affordable. Call us today for your dental needs or emergencies; we look forward to speaking with you.