Dental emergencies can happen at any time, to any patient. While preventive dental care and the adoption of an effective at-home hygiene routine can go a long way in protecting your smile, routine wear and accidental trauma can take a toll on your teeth.
If you have experienced a dental emergency, seeking care as soon as possible can help prevent further damage.
Defining a Dental Emergency
For many patients, dental emergencies are often considered to be cases of extreme trauma to the mouth, such as a tooth being knocked out or a serious laceration occurring to the soft tissue. What many fail to recognize is that dental emergencies can also be relatively minor discomforts that, after careful examination, are indicative of larger, more serious dental conditions.
For example, while a toothache may initially seem like a problem that will quickly resolve itself, the associated pain that occurs may be a warning sign that the inner tooth structure is infected or has turned into an abscess, thereby requiring immediate treatment to protect the patient’s overall and oral health.
Similarly, patients experiencing more advanced cases of gum disease may begin to notice a change in gum color as well as bleeding when brushing or flossing. While not as dramatic as having a tooth knocked out, periodontal disease is still a serious problem that, if left untreated, can escalate and seriously compromise the patient’s dental function and health.
Ultimately, the term “dental emergency” can refer to any oral condition that has the potential to cause significant damage to the health and function of a dentition.
When Should I Seek Professional Dental Care?
Many of the seemingly minor dental emergencies, such as toothaches, minor cracks, temperature sensitivity, and gingival bleeding are often signals of a more serious oral health condition. As a result, it is especially important that patients seek care as soon as possible following the development of a dental emergency. By seeking restorative care early on, patients are able to limit the extent of damage caused by the oral condition and regain their oral health.
Emergency Dental Care in Wexford
If you are experiencing a dental emergency or discomfort, contact Quirke Dental Surgeons today on 051 421453 to schedule an urgent appointment. Our dentists are committed to helping patients protect their smiles through a number of preventive and restorative treatments. By using advanced technology and comprehensive solutions, our team can better understand the cause of your dental emergency and create an effective, lasting solution that contributes to your long-term oral health.
