What Is Considered A Dental Emergency?
Understanding Dental Emergencies and Treatment Options
Many people practicing social distancing and self-isolation frequently ask, “What constitutes a dental emergency?”
Key Takeaways About Dental Emergencies
- Dental emergencies typically involve severe pain or trauma requiring immediate professional attention.
- Lewis Estates Dental Centre offers teledentistry consultations for initial emergency assessments.
- Regular oral hygiene practices significantly reduce the risk of dental emergencies.
- Immediate treatment for dental infections can prevent serious health complications.
- Professional emergency dental care remains available during social distancing measures.
- Dental trauma requires prompt evaluation to prevent long-term complications.
- Modern emergency dental treatments focus on both pain relief and addressing underlying causes.
Traditionally, any dental situation involving severe pain, dental trauma, or tooth infection would be considered a dental emergency requiring immediate treatment. This could include any of the following conditions:
- Severe tooth pain or dental abscess
- Broken or severely chipped tooth
- Persistent bleeding gums
- Acute jaw pain or TMJ disorder
- Facial swelling or dental trauma
- Lost or damaged dental filling or crown
Our society has undergone rapid changes with the arrival of COVID-19. These changes have affected how we conduct ourselves and fulfill our basic healthcare needs. Many people are avoiding medical offices and hospitals to allow frontline workers to focus their resources on providing critical care. Currently, dental care access is limited to essential treatments and emergency dental procedures.
Preventive Dental Care and Oral Health Maintenance
Throughout this challenging period, our dental team has been actively promoting enhanced oral health awareness, encouraging the adoption of advanced dental hygiene techniques for maintaining optimal teeth and gum health – specifically, thorough brushing multiple times daily and consistent flossing or Waterpik™ usage. This focus on dental hygiene practices extends beyond cosmetic benefits; it represents a fundamental aspect of your overall health, as research consistently shows the strong connection between oral health and systemic well-being.
If you experience dental pain, have questions about dental treatment, or notice changes in your oral health, we encourage you to contact our West Edmonton dental office for professional guidance at Lewis Estates Dental Centre. Our dental team will discuss your specific situation and determine if immediate dental care is necessary. For non-emergency cases, we can provide expert advice to help manage your dental concerns during this challenging time.
For comprehensive dental care assessment, you can schedule a “virtual dental consultation through teledentistry services” with Dr. Bains, who will evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate treatment options without requiring you to leave your residence.
Important Information about Dental Emergencies
- The most severe dental emergencies requiring immediate treatment include severe infections, uncontrolled bleeding, and traumatic injuries affecting breathing or swallowing.
- Emergency dental treatment costs typically range between $200-1000 depending on the required procedure and complexity.
- Dental emergencies can become life-threatening if severe infections spread to other parts of the body or affect breathing.
- Acetaminophen and ibuprofen, taken as directed, can help manage dental pain temporarily until professional treatment is available.
- Dental emergencies require antibiotics when there are signs of infection such as fever, swelling, or severe pain.
- If you cannot reach a dentist immediately, use over-the-counter pain medication, apply cold compresses, and rinse with warm salt water.
- Dental emergencies require hospital treatment when they involve severe facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or difficulty breathing.
- A cracked tooth should be evaluated within 24 hours to prevent infection and further damage.
- Approximately 80% of dental emergencies can be prevented through regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene.
- Patients experiencing severe dental pain should seek emergency care within 4-6 hours.
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