What Constitutes a Dental Emergency

Do you know what to do in the case of a dental emergency? A dental emergency can happen anytime, anywhere, so it’s important to know how to take immediate action to avoid additional complications.

The experts at Bahia Dental Group in Pittsburg, California, are prepared to help you in any emergency. Simply call our office and let us know you’re on the way. We’ll be ready to assist you the minute you walk through our doors.

5 ways to avoid a dental emergency

The best way to avoid a dental emergency is by following these preventive guidelines.

Of course, not all dental problems are emergencies requiring first aid or an emergency appointment.

Is it a dental emergency?

According to the American Dental Association, almost two-thirds of dental emergencies happen outside of normal business hours. We’re always available for you, at any time, and we even take walk-ins. Here are some of the most common dental problems, some of which can be dealt with on your own.

Something stuck

Something stuck between your teeth can be annoying and downright painful. Use floss to get rid of whatever is stuck, but don’t use a lot of pressure. This could damage your gums. If you can’t remove whatever is stuck, or if you’re still experiencing pain after the debris is gone, call us for help.

Bleeding

If your mouth or gums are bleeding due to a cut inside your mouth, you typically don’t have to worry. The bleeding should stop on its own. If you notice bleeding after flossing, this could be an indication of gum disease, in which case you should stop in and see us for an evaluation. If you’re bleeding from a tooth extraction and it doesn’t seem to be stopping, call us right away.

Chipping or cracking

If you’ve chipped, cracked, or broken a tooth, call us right away. This is considered a dental emergency. Sometimes you may not even notice a chip or crack until you experience pain or sensitivity in the area.

Knocked-out tooth

If you find yourself with a tooth that’s been knocked out of your mouth, you have a dental emergency. Call us right away. If you can, try to put the tooth back in its socket until you can see us. Otherwise, put it in a clean container right away and cover it with milk, if possible. Handle the tooth carefully by the top, not by the bottom where the root is. An original tooth can usually be reimplanted if you come into our office as soon as you can.

Always err on the side of caution. If you aren’t sure if you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call us for help. We’re here to help you do what’s best for your oral health. You can also call us for a checkup or use our convenient online scheduling tool.

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