Emergency Dentistry Near Severna Park and Millersville
Your teeth and gums are a critical part of your health. Your mouth is a gateway for billions of bacteria and other microscopic things like viruses to try and enter your body. Injuries to the mouth, teeth, or jaws can suddenly become pathways for these foreign bodies to enter your bloodstream or other deep tissue systems and create serious medical issues.
A dental emergency is an injury that puts the long-term health of teeth, gums, or surrounding structures at serious risk if not treated immediately. This can include risks such as:
- A knocked-out or chipped-off tooth will be harder to save if you wait. An adult tooth will ideally be in your mouth for the rest of your life. When a tooth is seriously chipped, loosened, or comes out entirely due to an injury, it needs to be replaced or bonded in as quickly as possible. Your tooth is living tissue that needs nourishment from your circulatory system. If it dries out, the likelihood of being able to bond or reinsert the tooth will decrease significantly. If you are having this kind of emergency, a good tip is to store the tooth or tooth fragments in milk or the cheek of your mouth to keep it moist.
- Serious pain can indicate the immediate need for treatment to prevent infection. If you are experiencing significant pain in your jaw or mouth after an injury, it is a sign that you should see a dentist immediately. Pain is an indicator of severe tissue or structure damage, which will cause significant swelling. This is an excellent environment for bacteria to cause infections and spread to other parts of the head and body.
- Bleeding that will not stop is an open wound that can spread infection throughout the body. An open wound in your mouth, specifically when bleeding is coming from an area you cannot see, like the root of a tooth, should not be treated at home. You should do as much as you can to clean the wound and apply a cold compress, but bacteria and other microscopic organisms can use this pathway to get into the body despite your best efforts. The injury needs to be treated immediately to ensure that it is cleaned and closed properly. Dr. Valle can also prescribe medication for pain or when there is a risk of infection.
Do I have a Dental Emergency?
It is important to recognize when you or a loved one is having a dental emergency. Some people might feel like they can wait, but dental emergencies are more common than many people realize. The above risk factors should be taken seriously. If you are not sure if you have an emergency, you can always call Dr. Brian Valle P.A. or our emergency line after hours. Not only can we help you understand if your injury requires immediate emergency dentistry treatment, but if you are out traveling, we can advise you on getting help in your area.
If an emergency dentist is not available, you can also go to an emergency or urgent care to get immediate help. You will also want to see a dentist as a follow-up as soon as possible after the initial treatment.
