When a dental problem strikes, there is no time to waste. A patient suffering from a serious mouth injury or experiencing severe pain needs to see an Oceanside emergency dentist right away. Emergency dentists are specially trained to treat urgent oral health concerns such as cracked, chipped, knocked-out, or fractured teeth. The Oceanside emergency dentist is also equipped to handle severe toothaches, painful abscesses, bleeding gums, loose or broken braces, and more.
Unlike the physicians in a hospital’s emergency room, who are experts in treating medical emergencies, emergency dentists are not skilled in setting bones or sewing lacerations. For this reason, it’s generally best to visit a hospital’s emergency room for any health-related concern that isn’t related to dental trauma. In general, a dental emergency involves a sudden or ongoing pain or discomfort that isn’t relieved by home treatments such as over-the-counter medications or hot compresses.
In addition to addressing the immediate issue, an Oceanside emergency dentist will also work to prevent more serious complications down the road. For example, a broken tooth that is not treated immediately will likely require root canal therapy or other extensive treatments down the line. This can be more expensive and more uncomfortable than simply repairing the broken tooth with a filling or crown.
What Are the Benefits of an Emergency Dentist in Oceanside?
The primary advantage of emergency dental care is immediate relief. Many people in pain or dealing with a dental injury feel overwhelmed and unable to think clearly. They may be unsure whether their symptoms are a true emergency or not.
An Oceanside emergency dentist will take the time to listen to a patient’s concerns and recommend a treatment plan. They will often use X-rays and other diagnostic tools to get a clear picture of what is going on with a patient’s mouth. This will help them identify the underlying cause of a patient’s discomfort and determine whether it is an infection, inflammation, or other concern that requires further treatment.
Another important benefit of an emergency dentist is that they can provide patients with pain-relieving medication while they wait for their appointment. Over-the-counter drugs and hot or cold compresses can provide temporary relief, but a dentist will be able to prescribe stronger or more effective medication for the patient.
Anyone can experience a dental emergency, but those who engage in contact sports or other physical activities are at a greater risk for trauma to the mouth. A sudden blow to the mouth can result in a broken or knocked-out tooth. Those with a weaker bone structure are more susceptible to tooth loss. Even a tooth that is not knocked out or severely decayed can need to be extracted if it is in an awkward position or the jawbone becomes too weakened to support it. In some cases, a tooth extraction will trigger other problems such as jawbone loss and gum disease. An Oceanside emergency dentist can often save teeth that would otherwise need to be removed if left untreated.
Grace Dental provides various high-quality dental services from basic preventive to aesthetic and surgical services. Call us at (760) 653-8338 and schedule your consultation with us!
