Why You Should See an Emergency Dentist

Visiting your regular dentist is crucial to keep you healthy. However, dental emergencies can occur at any time and need immediate attention.

When looking for an Emergency Dentist in Oakland CA, it is important to find one that offers evening and weekend hours. Also, they should have a good reputation and work with many insurance companies.

Toothaches

Toothaches are the most common dental emergency. They can be caused by tooth decay, cracked or chipped teeth, and even loose or broken braces.

If a toothache is severe and does not improve with home treatment, you should see an emergency dentist right away. The pain may also be a sign of an infection or an abscess, and if left untreated could spread to other parts of your body.

Rinse your mouth with warm water, use floss to remove any trapped food, and apply a cold compress or take an over-the-counter painkiller. If a knocked out tooth can be reinserted, do so. If not, place the tooth in a small cup of milk and preserve it until you see an emergency dentist. Knocked out teeth that are replaced in the socket and held with a splint within the proper timeframe can usually be saved. If not, the tooth may need to be removed surgically.

Tooth Injuries

Injuries to teeth can be very serious and may require emergency care. They include fractures, chipped teeth and dislodged teeth (trauma).

Whether or not an injury is considered a dental emergency is determined by its severity and the patient’s medical history. A true dental emergency involves significant pain or discomfort and is not relieved by over the counter medications.

The classification of dental injuries is important because each has its own complications and treatment priorities. For example, a tooth pushed partially out of its socket requires repositioning and stabilization with a splint. Injured pulp often necessitates root canal treatment.

If a tooth is chipped, save any pieces and rinse the mouth thoroughly with water to remove debris. Apply a piece of gauze to control bleeding and reduce swelling. It is a good idea to see a dentist immediately if an accident happens to avoid further damage and prevent infection. A real dental emergency also includes head or neck injuries.

Broken Teeth

Even though your teeth are strong, they can still break or fracture. This is more common than you might think, and it can be due to a variety of reasons. If your tooth breaks, it is important to get an emergency dentist appointment immediately. This will reduce the chance of infection and other problems.

The proper treatment for your broken tooth will depend on the type of fracture and size of the crack. Small chips can be repaired with tooth-colored filling materials. More serious fractures may require root canal treatment or a crown.

If your tooth is cracked, you will need to call an emergency dentist in Oakland CA as soon as possible. While you wait, it is important to rinse your mouth with water, avoid chewing on the affected tooth, and use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also use mouthwashes that are designed for tooth sensitivity and have ingredients to numb the nerves.

Broken Restorations

When teeth become broken, it’s important to visit an emergency dentist right away. Left untreated, a fractured tooth can get infected and cause even more damage to surrounding teeth. Fortunately, we offer many restorative options to repair your smile.

Dental crowns are one of the most common ways to repair a broken tooth. These restorations are custom made in a local lab to fit your tooth and look completely natural.

A tooth bridge is another way to replace a missing tooth without surgery. This restorative solution uses dental crowns as anchors to hold a gum-colored bridge that fills the space.

We also offer metal-free restorations, which are gentle on the gums and don’t stain. This option can help patients who are sensitive or allergic to certain metals, and they have a long lifespan. We can also use CEREC technology to create a dental restoration in just an hour. This process is significantly faster than it takes to get a traditional restoration from an outside lab.