Two words that you never want to hear together are “dentist” and “emergency”. Unfortunately, sometimes things happen that you least expect, and you might end up with a tooth in your hand wondering what on earth to do next. Here’s where the emergency dentist comes in. If anything happens involving your teeth, gums, jaw or dental appliances, get on the phone and call Pueblo West Neighborhood Dental and Implants. We serve Pueblo, CO and surrounding areas so in the event of a dental disaster, we’ll see you as soon as possible.
What Counts As a Dental Emergency?
If you’re one of those people who doesn’t like to make a fuss, this might be the time you need to stand up for yourself. A dental emergency if left untreated can cause further issues down the line and can potentially be life-threatening. If you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing counts as a dental emergency or not, please just give us a call. You’ve got nothing to lose and your health might be on the line as well as the overall look of your smile. Here are some of the most common dental emergency issues:
- A knocked-Out, Broken or Chipped Tooth
Hey, accidents happen. Pueblo West Neighborhood Dental and Implants can fix a broken or chipped tooth to get it looking like new in no time. It’s also possible to reattach a cleanly knocked-out tooth if you act fast. If you can, hold it back in place and call your dentist – although you might need someone else to call on your behalf. If you can’t put the tooth back in, keep it clean and moist by keeping it in between your gum and cheek or even in that old favorite, the glass of milk. Don’t touch the root. If you can’t find the tooth, it’s still important to see your dentist for a replacement as gaps in your teeth can cause lots of other issues.
- Severe or Prolonged Toothache
Don’t put up with toothache as it might be a signifier of a deeper problem. You may have a cavity, serious decay or even an infection. Your dentist can perform cleanings and procedures to treat the issue and relieve your pain.
- Bleeding, swollen or aching gums
Gums hold your teeth in place so if there’s a problem with them, your teeth are also at risk. Periodontal disease needs to be treated by a dental professional to maintain a good level of oral health.
- Broken Dental or Orthodontic Appliances
If you have a broken crown, bridge, dentures or braces, call your local emergency dentist at Pueblo West Neighborhood Dental and Implants. We can assess the damage and see you on the same day if necessary.
ER vs. Emergency Dentist
If you experience some kind of facial trauma, your first thought might be to go to the ER or a hospital. If your issues are not linked to other bodily injuries and you’re not having trouble breathing, an emergency dentist might be a much better call. For one thing, you’re likely to be seen quicker by a dentist. For another, while an ER might be able to treat you for pain, they’re not always going to have a dental professional to treat your dental issues so you may end up having to go to a dentist anyway.
If your issue is not immediately life-threatening, (you’re not bleeding excessively, losing consciousness or having trouble breathing, for example) contact your local dentist for an emergency appointment. Patients in Pueblo, CO and surrounding areas have the added benefit that Dr. Ross of Pueblo West Neighborhood Dental and Implants has plenty of experience of dentistry in hospital-based situations so he’s your go-to dentist in case of emergency!
The bottom line is – when in doubt, call your dentist.
