Even people who take impeccable care of their teeth may find themselves with a dental emergency. Something as simple as biting down on a hard piece of food may lead to tooth damage. However, it is important to note that not every situation is considered a true emergency.
Patients often run in a panic to their dentist at the first sign of pain. This is not always appropriate, as many causes of pain will resolve on their own. Knowing when to seek out emergency dental services in Ocala makes dealing with tooth trauma much easier to handle.
Two Types of Pain
Dentists often categorize pain into two types, common and emergency. While pain should always be examined by a dental professional, only specific types need Dental Services Kettering. Knowing the difference can help calm the patient’s nerves.
Common pain is often caused by sensitive teeth. This type of pain is very real, but it disappears within seconds after the trigger, usually hot or cold foods, has been removed. Sensitive teeth can often be treated with over-the-counter toothpastes and mouthwashes.
Emergency pain, however, is very persistent. The pain lingers for hours at a time, and it may even wake the person from a sound sleep. When the pain doesn’t let up on its own, heading to an emergency dentist is highly recommended.
Differences in Oral Trauma
Whenever an injury to the mouth occurs, the patient should make an appointment with their dentist for an examination. Not every injury, however, constitutes going to an emergency dentist. In fact, many times the patient can wait until regular office hours to schedule an appointment.
Simple trauma may involve chipping a tooth or injuring the gum tissue. While it may be painful at first, as long as the pain is manageable and the tooth is still intact, it is not a true emergency. Call the dentist to schedule an appointment at a convenient time.
Severe trauma, on the other hand, may involve knocking out a tooth or breaking a tooth below the gum line. If this happens, the patient should rush to an emergency dentist right away for evaluation. If treatment happens quickly, the tooth may actually be saved.
Pain and trauma, while never a good situation, are not always indicative of a dental emergency. Click here to find out if it is necessary to see a dentist right away for your specific situation.
