There are many causes of dental emergencies and it is important that you seek immediate advice and appropriate dental care as quickly as possible to avoid irreversible complications. Your emergency dentist Dublin will have extensive training in managing dental trauma, infection and pain. If you are experiencing severe symptoms such as excessive swelling, continuous bleeding or breathing difficulties then you need to call 999 or visit A&E. Most other dental complications and emergencies can be dealt with by an emergency dentist. The emergency dentist will carry out a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, identify the cause of pain or discomfort and put together an instant treatment plan for you.
Toothache
The most common dental emergency is a toothache that does not go away with the use of painkillers. Toothache can develop slowly or it may be instant and cause extreme discomfort. If you notice any type of toothache then it is important to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible before it becomes severe. The most common causes of toothache are tooth decay, a cracked or damaged tooth, a loose or broken filling, an infection or a dental abscess. Of these the most common are cavities and tooth decay. In this case your emergency dentist will assess the health of the tooth and decide whether you need to undergo a root canal treatment or if you need a tooth extraction. Whilst waiting to meet your dentist you may wish to apply a cold compress, rinse your mouth with salt water, apply clove oil or take over-the-counter pain medication depending on your individual requirements. Even if the pain subsides it is important that you speak to your dentist about cavities and tooth decay, because these issues need to be treated before they cause irreversible damage and further complications. Tooth decay not only affects your teeth but it can cause infection that spreads to other parts of the body, weakening your immune system and causing systemic issues such as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cracked, broken or knocked-out tooth
Another dental emergency which needs to be taken care of sooner rather than later is a broken or cracked tooth. You may have suffered a sports injury or been in a car crash, maybe even a physical altercation. If you have a cracked, broken or knocked-out tooth you need to to try and collect as much of the tooth as possible and visit your dentist immediately so that either your dentist may be able to glue the broken part of the tooth back in place or restore the tooth using a filling or a crown. If the tooth has been knocked out and you are able to save the tooth then it may be put back in place and splintered to the adjacent teeth. If the original tooth could not be saved, it may have to be replaced by using a denture, bridge or an implant depending on your individual dental health and your personal preferences. It is important to protect your teeth when playing sports by wearing a mouthguard made by a dentist to protect your teeth from such accidents. Obviously some accidents cannot be avoided and in these cases your dentist is available to help.
