Emergency Dentist Near You In Calabasas

Understanding Emergency Dentistry

Emergency dentists diagnose and treat urgent dental problems. Severe toothaches, injuries, fractures, abscesses, or unexpected tooth loss are examples of emergency dental conditions. If untreated, these conditions can cause extreme pain and discomfort.

The primary goal of emergency dentistry is to provide prompt care. Emergency dentists receive proper training to handle urgent dental situations. They perform procedures like extractions, fillings, or root canal treatments, which help prevent further pain and save teeth.

If you have knocked out a tooth, prompt intervention can increase the chances of saving it. Similarly, an abscess may require drainage and antibiotics to prevent it from spreading.

Types of Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are situations that need immediate dental care. They include:

Knocked-out Tooth

You can suffer a knocked-out tooth from severe trauma to your face or jaw, contact sports, an auto accident, or biting a hard object. A knocked-out tooth can fall off or hang loosely on the socket. If the tooth does not all fall off, leave it in the socket until you arrive at the dental office.

You can rinse it and avoid touching the roots if it falls off. After rinsing the dirt off, place it back in the socket or soak it in a glass of milk. If you make an immediate dental appointment after suffering a knocked-out tooth, the dentist can save it.

Toothache

Many dental issues that are not emergencies cause toothaches. However, toothaches from these situations are mild and treatable using over-the-counter painkillers or numbing gel. All forms of toothache require dental care, even when not in an emergency.

A severe toothache that constitutes an emergency radiates to the jaw and neck. A toothache can result from trauma to the tooth or indicate a more complex dental issue. If your toothache causes extreme discomfort and does not go away, you must seek immediate dental attention.

A common cause of severe toothache is infection, which results from untreated cavities or gum disease. Bacteria enter the pulp of the tooth, causing inflammation and abscess formation. A tooth infection can cause throbbing pain, swelling, fever, and bad breath. If left untreated, the disease can spread to other body parts, making it a serious medical concern.

Dental Infection

A tooth infection occurs when bacteria invade the pulp of the tooth. The bacteria lead to inflammation and pus buildup. A dental infection can arise from untreated tooth decay, gum disease, or tooth injury. The infection begins in the soft tooth pulp and can spread to the surrounding tissues. Symptoms of tooth infection include:

• Tooth Sensitivity
• Severe toothache
• Gum swelling
• Fever
• Bad taste in your mouth

If left untreated, an abscess can lead to difficulty swallowing or breathing. The infection can also cause the tooth to become loose or discolored. If you suffer the symptoms of tooth infection, you must seek immediate dental care.

When you consult a dentist, they can assess your situation and determine the cause of the infection. The dentist will then recommend a treatment option. Early treatment of an infection helps prevent it from spreading.

Dislodged Braces and Wires

A broken or dislodged brace or wire is a typical dental emergency. Braces align your teeth. Broken or dislodged wires and braces could result from:

Eating hard foods. Consuming hard foods like candy or nuts can damage your brackets or wires.

• Accidental impact. Physical injuries from sports or auto accidents can break braces.
• Poor oral hygiene. Food particles and plaque buildup can weaken your braces, causing some parts to detach.
• Failure to follow care instructions. Your dentist will give care instructions after fitting your braces or wires. Ignoring the advice can cause damage.
• Poor-quality materials. Over time, your braces can weaken or become defective, leading to breakage.

If they break or become dislodged, it can hinder the treatment progress. Additionally, dislodged braces can cause severe discomfort and pain.

Sometimes, the dislodged wires can poke into the inside of your mouth and cause irritation or even cuts. If this happens, you can reduce the pain by using orthodontic wax to cover the sharp end of the wire. Alternatively, a pencil eraser can push the wire back into place.

If a bracket breaks off or loosens, it can cause discomfort and delay your orthodontic treatment. You should seek immediate dental care if you have a broken bracket. Before reaching the dental office, avoid eating hard or sticky foods. If the discomfort from the broken wires and brackets is unbearable, you can use over-the-counter pain medication to relieve the pain.

Swollen Jaw and Gums

If you have swollen gums and jaws, you may need emergency dental care. Severe jaw and gum swelling could result from trauma to the face or an underlying condition. Gum disease or infection can also cause swelling of the face and jaw. If not treated promptly, this infection can spread to the jaw and surrounding areas.

Other causes of swelling include untreated cavities, gum disease, tooth trauma, or a wisdom tooth eruption. Infections or abscesses cause pain, redness, fever, and bad breath. If left untreated, the infection can lead to complications like sepsis or tooth loss.

If you notice swollen gums or a swollen jaw, you must consult a dentist immediately. A delay in treatment may worsen the infection, requiring more invasive procedures. While waiting for your dental care, you can apply a cold compress to the swollen area. The cold compress will help relieve pain and reduce swelling. You should always seek professional care for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Broken or Damaged Tooth

A broken tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate attention to reduce pain. Accidents, sports injuries, or biting into something hard can cause a fractured tooth, which causes severe pain and discomfort. If left untreated, it can result in an infection and tooth loss.

The symptoms you could experience after breaking a tooth vary depending on the severity of the break. You must remain calm and assess the damage if you suffer a broken tooth. You can schedule a dental appointment if the break is minor and there is no pain. However, if the breakage is considerable or you experience severe pain, you must seek immediate dental care.

Before you arrive at the dental office, rinse your mouth with clean water. You must also avoid chewing on the broken tooth. Applying a cold compress to reduce swelling can help manage any discomfort. Prompt intervention can reduce pain and improve the chances of saving the tooth. You should follow your dentist’s advice for the best outcome in a broken tooth emergency.

Extreme Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is the discomfort or pain that occurs in response to certain stimuli. Your teeth can experience sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet foods and drinks. This sensitivity happens when the protective enamel on the teeth wears down, exposing the underlying dentin. Causes of tooth sensitivity include:

• Tooth decay
• Gum recession
• Cracked teeth
• Aggressive brushing

Some cases of sensitivity are linked to teeth grinding or gum disease. Tooth sensitivity varies in severity. If the pain and discomfort from the sensitivity are unbearable, you must seek emergency dental care.

Lost Crown or Dental Filling

Dental fillings help to cover cavities or broken parts of the enamel. Crowns protect a tooth when the enamel is damaged. Crowns and fillings prevent bacteria from entering the tooth pulp and causing infection. A lost crown or filling constitutes a dental emergency.

You could lose a crown or a filling due to trauma to your jaw. Another common cause of a lost crown or jaw is chewing hard foods. If you lose a crown or filling, stay calm and keep it safe. You should check the tooth for sharp edges that irritate your tongue or gums.

If necessary, you can use orthodontic wax to cover any sharp spots. Lost crowns and fillings can cause severe toothache. Therefore, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce the pain and discomfort.

Causes of Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen at any time. The emergencies involve unexpected pain, discomfort, or damage to the teeth and surrounding structures. These emergencies can result from various factors, ranging from accidents to underlying health conditions. The following are the primary causes of dental emergencies:

• Trauma or Injury

Trauma or injury is a common cause of dental emergencies. Broken or knocked-out teeth can result from events such as falls, sports injuries, or auto accidents. The soft tissues of the mouth may potentially sustain harm as a result of these traumas. In extreme situations, dental trauma may result in fractures of the jawbone, hemorrhage, and tooth displacement. To save the tooth and prevent additional damage, you must take care of these issues immediately.

• Tooth Decay

If left untreated, tooth decay is a slow process that might result in a dental emergency. Severe pain and infection may result from decay that has spread deep into the tooth. The infection could spread to the nearby tissues, causing an abscess. Fever, edema, and even tooth loss may result from the infection if left untreated.

• Gum Disease

Gum or periodontal disease is another major cause of dental emergencies. It begins as a mild form of gum inflammation caused by plaque buildup. If left untreated, the inflammation can progress to periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease that can cause the gums to recede and loosen teeth. In severe cases, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss and severe infection. The pain and discomfort associated with gum disease can trigger an emergency.

• Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can lead to dental emergencies. People who grind their teeth put excessive pressure on them, which can cause the enamel to crack, chip, or even break.

This constant pressure can also lead to jaw pain, headaches, and damage to the gums. Over time, teeth grinding wears down the tooth enamel, increasing the risk of tooth decay and sensitivity. If not addressed, bruxism can result in serious dental issues requiring emergency treatment.

Orthodontic Issues

Individuals wearing orthodontic appliances can experience emergencies related to broken devices. A loose or broken wire, bracket, or band can cause discomfort and irritation to the gums. If left untreated, these issues can disrupt the treatment plan.

Damaged appliances lead to prolonged treatment times and potential damage to the teeth. Orthodontic emergencies may also cause injury and pain. This occurs if a wire or bracket pokes into the mouth’s soft tissues.

Emergency Dental Procedures

Dental emergencies can occur unexpectedly. They range from minor issues like a lost filling to more challenging situations like a knocked-out tooth. Knowing what procedures to expect can help you manage the situation effectively. The following are some of the standard emergency dental procedures you may undergo:

Tooth Extraction

A dentist will perform a tooth extraction when you have severe tooth decay. Your dentist will recommend this emergency procedure if they cannot save your tooth. The dentist extracts a tooth under the following circumstances:

• Severe tooth decay. Your tooth may need extraction if you have tooth decay that reached the pulp and caused irreversible damage.
• Trauma. If you suffer trauma and break your tooth into many pieces, you will need an extraction.
• Abscess or infection. A tooth with a severe abscess that cannot respond to treatment may need extraction.

A dentist extracts your tooth under local anesthesia to numb the area. If you are an anxious patient, you may need sedation. After removing your tooth, the dentist will give post-care instructions. Following the instructions ensures proper healing and reduces the risk of infection.

Crown Placement

Your dentist can recommend a dental crown as an emergency when you have a broken, cracked, or decayed tooth. The dentist uses a crown alongside other procedures following significant damage. The crown serves as a protective cap for your tooth. It covers the tooth and restores its shape, size, and strength.

The procedure for crown placement may involve two appointments. During the initial appointment, the dentist prepares the damaged tooth for the crown. The appointment also consists of reshaping the tooth and taking teeth impressions for a custom crown. Your dentist will place a temporary crown until the permanent one is ready.

During the second visit, the dentist fits the permanent crown on the tooth. Crowns are made of porcelain, metal, or a combination. The choice of material will depend on the tooth’s location and your needs.

Root Canal

Your dentist can recommend a root canal as an emergency dental procedure when a tooth’s pulp is infected or inflamed. A tooth infection can cause intense pain and discomfort. If left untreated, it may lead to the loss of the tooth. A root canal involves these procedures:

• Removing the pulp. The dentist will drill into the tooth to reach the pulp. After drilling the enamel, the dentist removes the infected tissue and cleans the area.
• Sealing the tooth. After cleaning the infected part, the dentist fills the hollow space with a unique material and seals the tooth to prevent the infection from spreading.
• Restoration. Sometimes, the dentist can place a crown over the tooth after a root canal. The crown restores the tooth’s strength and functionality.

A root canal saves a tooth and alleviates pain from a deep infection.

Dental Filling

Dental filling is a procedure used to cover cavities in the tooth enamel. Your dentist can recommend an emergency dental filling to address cavities that cause severe pain and discomfort. When you visit your dentist with a severe toothache caused by a cavity, they can treat it using a filling.

Dental fillings are made of different materials. Depending on your budget and preference, your dentist can use amalgam gold, porcelain, or composite to fill your cavity. Before filling the cavity, the dentist will clean out the decayed part of the tooth, which prevents the spread of bacteria.

Sometimes, dental fillings are done alongside other treatments, like root canals. A root canal can accompany dental fillings if the cavity has extended to the tooth pulp.

Find Expert Dental Services Near Me

Your dental health can suffer unexpected emergencies, from severe toothaches to tooth fractures and jaw injuries. Unfortunately, most dental emergencies cause severe pain and discomfort. When left untreated, these conditions can cause tooth loss and more severe dental complications.

Emergency dentistry ensures timely intervention for dental issues that could result in severe problems. Understanding common dental emergencies and how to handle each situation helps individuals respond effectively. Additionally, it can help you learn different preventive measures. Regular dental visits and good oral hygiene minimize the risk of needing emergency dental care.

Seeking the services of a competent dentist ensures that you receive proper preventive advice and reliable treatment services. If you or a loved one requires expert dental services to address your dental emergencies in Calabasas, CA, you will benefit from our services at Calabasas Smiles Advanced Dentistry.