If you experience a toothache or other dental issue that warrants immediate attention, it’s important to seek care from an emergency dentist near me. Over-the-counter painkillers can help ease discomfort until an appointment can be made.

A trip to your local urgent care center can also be helpful in the event of a dental emergency. These facilities often have a dentist on staff to assist patients.

Toothache

Toothache is caused by inflammation of the nerves and blood vessels within your teeth. This is often due to untreated tooth decay (cavities). You may also experience pain from a broken or chipped tooth, impacted wisdom tooth or sinus infection.

Your dentist will assess the cause of your tooth pain and recommend treatment. He or she will likely prescribe antibiotics or other pain medications if needed. Your dentist will also offer care tips to help you prevent future toothaches, such as avoiding sugary foods and drinks, brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, using dental floss, and having regular professional cleanings and sealants.

It’s important to remember that a toothache can be a symptom of a larger medical problem, such as a heart attack or pneumonia. If you’re experiencing a high fever or have a rash alongside your tooth pain, see a doctor at an urgent care clinic immediately.

Broken or Chipped Teeth

A broken or chipped tooth can be caused by a variety of things. It may happen while biting into a hard food, or by trauma to the face, such as a car accident. In general, it is not considered a dental emergency because the inner layers of the tooth are usually unharmed. However, it is best to visit a dentist as soon as possible to make sure the damage doesn’t get worse over time.

In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth with warm water to wash away dirt and blood from the area. You can also apply dental wax to the affected area, to prevent you from hurting your tongue and cheek with the jagged edge of the chipped tooth. If you are experiencing pain, take an over-the-counter ibuprofen, and use an ice pack to reduce swelling. It is also recommended to avoid eating or drinking anything too hot or cold to further irritate the tooth.

Tooth Abscess

An abscessed tooth is a serious dental emergency. The bacterium from a tooth cavity can spread to the gums, cheek or jaw bone. If the bacteria reach the inner pulp of a tooth, it dies and produces pus, causing a dental abscess. A throbbing pain, swelling, redness or fever characterizes this condition.

Unless treated promptly, a tooth abscess will rupture on its own or be drained surgically. It causes significant pain and discomfort, but over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may relieve the symptoms. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water also may help.

A ruptured tooth abscess is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If the abscess ruptures without treatment, it can lead to a blood infection (septic cavernous sinus thrombosis) or even sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition. Infections of this kind can travel to the brain and cause a stroke, paralysis or even death. This type of infection is also a serious risk for those with heart disease or diabetes.

Fever

Fever is a way the body fights infection. However, if you or your child has a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 103 degrees Fahrenheit in adults, contact your doctor.

The doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history and do a physical examination. Your doctor may also order blood tests and/or other tests. They will ask about your recent exposures, such as eating or drinking untreated water, tick and mosquito bites, occupational exposures, and travel to areas with high rates of malaria and other health risks.

The best treatment for a dental emergency is preventative care, like regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings. But in the event of an unexpected issue, it is important to know who to call for the best emergency dentist near me. Many urgent care clinics now have a dentist on staff to help with dental emergencies. In addition, Group Health Dental offers emergency services after hours for patients who cannot wait until their regular dentist’s office reopens.