Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
About Verity Longpar
Do You Need To Seek Treatment For A Dental Emergency?
Eleanor Crawford
You might be wondering what a dental emergency is and if you should seek treatment right away for any problems relating to your teeth. It's possible that at the moment you might be feeling some pain in your teeth or gums, or perhaps you might be feeling a bit under the weather and wonder if it has to do with your dental issues.
It all depends on what exactly is wrong and if you are able to wait until your dentist is open for business. Do you need to seek treatment for a dental emergency?
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency actually covers a broad range of injuries or accidents that affect the health and stability of your teeth and gums. While it's possible in some cases to wait out an injury for treatment at the dentist's office, others require immediate attention and treatment.
For example, if you lose a crown or filling it might be possible to wait until the dentist office is under normal operating hours in order to receive treatment. You might not like how it looks, but chances are you can get an appointment within a day or so and it will be fixed. You shouldn't suffer any undue consequences by waiting.
However, if you have suffered a severe crack, break, or large pieces of your tooth are missing, this constitutes a dental emergency and you should head to the dentist right away. There could be damage to the root or other parts of the tooth that could get worse if you don't get it fixed right away. This is true even if you don't feel any pain.
Gum Health
It's not just fractures and breaks in the teeth that can cause dental emergencies either. If your gums aren't healthy due to poor dental hygiene or perhaps you have a cracked tooth or cavity that needs filling that you have neglected to take care of, your gums could suffer too.
There are diseases that can actually affect your overall health should you not treat them properly. For example, you could contract periodontal disease – a severe form of a gum infection – which could eventually make its way into your bloodstream or cause a heart attack if not treated.
Some of the first symptoms of this disease could be sore or tender gums, swelling. redness, and bad breath. You may feel pain but it's not always the case. If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek out treatment at an emergency dentist immediately.
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