Tips from our Irvine Emergency Dentist

The best way to treat a dental emergency is to prevent one from happening in the first place, but that isn’t always possible. However, knowing how to handle a dental emergency when one arises can help you preserve and protect your smile. Our Irvine emergency dentist has some tips to help you handle any dental issue no matter how extreme. Check out the following tips for identifying and managing a dental crisis.

Signs of a Dental Emergency

Clear signs of a dental emergency include excessive bleeding, persistent shooting pain in one area, and a knocked out or chipped tooth. Your smile may require immediate attention depending on the severity of the situation. If you have been injured in an accident, call 911 to receive medical care. If your tooth has been broken or chipped, call our office to schedule an appointment. Our Irvine emergency dentist will see you right away to evaluate the area and recommend the appropriate course of treatment.

Sudden Emergencies

If your mouth is bleeding excessively, apply pressure using gauze to help form a blood clot. Call our office to let us know that you are on your way and we will prepare an exam room for you. A knocked out tooth would need immediate attention if you have hopes of saving the tooth. You should aim to arrive at our office within 30 minutes of the tooth being knocked out if you want to try and repair the area. Pick up the tooth by the chewing surface to try to preserve the sensitive tooth roots. You can also place the tooth in milk to help preserve it. If you are unable to preserve the tooth or arrive at our office within 30 minutes, we can explore restorative options with you.

Dental Abscess

Another dental emergency that not many people understand is a dental abscess. An abscess is an infection within the gums that can threaten your overall physical health. Typically, an abscess will form if you have an untreated cavity or old dental work. If you experience severe shooting pain in one area, it could be a sign of an abscess. This can be potentially life threatening if it goes untreated, so pay close attention to your symptoms. If you are experiencing any pain in one area of your mouth, it could be a sign of infection. Schedule a visit with our Irvine emergency dentist to determine the best course of treatment for your smile.

Prevent a Dental Emergency

One way to try and prevent dental emergencies is to maintain your regular dental check-ups. This gives us a chance to monitor your oral health and detect any underlying health issues that you may not yet be aware of. Following a proper dental care routine and visiting the dentist every six months can greatly reduce your chance of developing a preventable oral health issue. Protect your smile by getting a dental cleaning and examination every six months. To schedule your next visit, call our Irvine emergency dentist to schedule an appointment.