Nearly twenty-five percent of the American population has experienced serious dental pain within the last year. Many of them have sought emergency dental care, like what we provide at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.
Dental emergencies, we can conclude from the above statistic, are more common than you might guess. That doesn’t mean that every toothache in the middle of the night is an emergency. If you are experiencing a potential emergency here are some things to keep in mind:
- Is there severe pain? Severe pain is a big indicator. This is especially true if the pain results from an accident, and there is bleeding involved.
- Are there loose teeth? We do not refer to an accident in this particular instance. We mean that permanent adult teeth should never be loose. If you have a loose adult tooth you should consider it a serious matter, even if it doesn’t hurt. Seek help right away.
- Has a tooth been knocked out? A knocked-out tooth is one of the most serious dental emergencies there is. Prompt action is essential. If it is treated within an hour there is a good chance the tooth can be saved.
- Is there an infection? You may not be able to diagnose an infection, but severe toothache pain is a strong indicator. It’s definitely an emergency. An infected tooth can be life-threatening and should be treated as soon as possible.
Any of the above should be considered a genuine dental emergency, and you shoud have it treated as soon as possible.
At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we say: it’s better to be safe than sorry. We specialize in emergency dentistry. In serious cases no appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are always welcome!
