Dental pain is a very common thing that almost everyone had faced at some point of the time or other. It all starts with a small tingling pain, gradually developing into a throbbing one. Unless treated on time, it can lead to severe issues like headaches, sleeplessness and disruption of all your normal daily activities.
Dental emergencies are not similar to other medical emergencies; hence, it is crucial to know about it, along with the treatment measures. Read on this blog until the end to clarify the common doubts about dental emergencies and know when to visit a private dentist if such a situation strikes.
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
If you are in pain, the first thing you must determine is the source of the problem. Now, it is not possible every time to understand the depth of the situation through naked eyes or discomforting sensations. For your ease of understanding, we hereby define dental emergences.
A dental emergency is a critical situation pertaining to your teeth and associated tissues, often associated with the following symptoms:
· Severe dental pain – If it is a pain that does not resolve on its own with time, you must consider it as a dental emergency.
· Uncontrolled Bleeding from the teeth or gums – Excessive bleeding from the mouth is a confirmed case of dental emergency. You can visit any of your locally available private emergency dentists in London to seek immediate care and treatment.
· Knocked-out tooth – Accidental injury or impact to the mouth can initiate a dental emergency in the form of knocked-out tooth. The earlier you can visit an emergency dentist, the higher are the chances of saving the affected tooth.
· Dental infection – If there is an abscess in the mouth, it becomes a portal for bacterial invasions that can potentially be life-threatening. Hence, you must treat such cases as dental emergencies. Besides, if you experience swelling around the jaw or gums, do not delay any longer.
Who is an emergency dentist?
An emergency dentist is a dental professional that provides you with urgent care and treatments services for your teeth and associated oral structures. They understand that dental emergencies can strike any time anywhere, and hence, offer comprehensive services with longer examination hours to determine your issue more effectively. Besides regular appointments, emergency dentists also attend walk-in visits during their off-hours – all these facilities help you obtain immediate treatment for better care and outcomes. In this blog, we will walk you through the steps that need to be undergone while visiting an emergency dental appointment. Read below for details.
A step-by-step approach to obtaining emergency dental appointments
If you are suffering from a dental emergency, the first thing you need to do is call up the number of the local emergency clinic’s number. A presiding official will be there to attend the call and evaluate the severity of your dental issue. Most emergency dental clinics in London offer services outside the operational hours, even if it is midnight. When you call up the emergency dental clinic, the urgency of your case will be assessed first and accordingly the appointment will be scheduled. During the call, you need to explain your current symptoms clearly, so your case is responded better by them.
And once your schedule has been fixed, you will expect the following steps:
Step 1 - Exam and diagnosis
The emergency dentist will assess your mouth’s interior, including the teeth, gums, etc. He will also conduct digital X-rays and 3D scans to recognise the hidden issues, such as dental abscesses, and root-related injuries.
Step 2 - Preparation for the procedure
If you case needs any surgical or non-surgical intervention, the dentist will explain the complete procedure, including the recovery and follow-up care aspects. Feel free to clarify any questions you may be having in your mind.
Step 3 - Application of an anaesthetic
If it is necessary to conduct the procedure immediately, your dentist may suggest you a local anaesthetic. It helps numb the region of your affected tooth ensuing you do not feel any discomfort during the procedure. For cases of severe pain, you will be treated with a painkiller.
Step 4 – Treatment
Treatment may range from simple procedures to more complicated ones. Here is a list of some of the most common treatment options:
- Temporary or permanent fillings
- Tooth extraction
- Drainage of an abscessed tooth
- Prescription of antibiotics or painkillers
- Emergency root canal or crown repair
These are just a few of the many procedures that an emergency dentist can perform on short notice. The ones listed above just happen to be the most common.
Step 5 – Medications
Depending on the medical past and the nature of your emergency, your dentist will recommend suitable medicines to induce a speedy recovery. Preferable options include painkillers and antibiotics (to manage pain and infections, respectively).
(Note: If you are taking antibiotics, complete the full course as doing it otherwise can lead to higher chances of reinfection.)
Step 6 - Aftercare and follow-up treatments
After the emergency dental appointment is over, your dentist will schedule follow-up appointments. These help check your progress overtime, ensuring the issue is completely solved. In addition, your emergency dental professional can instruct you on the steps for aftercare and maintenance of your teeth and gums (at home). These are all helpful for preventing further issues.
The sole significant distinction noticeable during an emergency dental visit is that it occurs outside regular office hours. An emergency dentist can be your lifeline in urgent situations, making them a dependable and trusted ally during dental crises.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies can arise any time in the form of intense dental pain or similar impactful circumstances in the mouth. Hence, it is advisable to have the contact details of an emergency dentist readily available at all times to handle such situations. A trusted source like Emergency Dentist London Official website can help guide you in understanding what to expect from an emergency dental professional, helping reduce the stress of a dental emergency and get back to your life pain-free and smiling.