The term “dental emergency” describes any situation requiring immediate medical attention to prevent further injury, relieve excruciating pain, or save a tooth. In the event of a dental emergency, contact Precision Oral Surgery immediately to schedule an appointment. We will ensure you get the treatment you need as soon as possible. In the meantime, our emergency dentist can advise you on safeguarding your teeth and gums while you await dental treatment.

Let’s examine some of the most typical cases in which patients visit an emergency dentist.

• Severe Toothache – Toothaches are generally caused by food lodged between the teeth. Here are a few things you can do to ease your discomfort. Start by rinsing your mouth with warm water to cleanse the area. Next, gently use floss to remove any food particles between your teeth. If this does not help, please schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible so we can fix the problem before it worsens.

• Knocked-Out Tooth – After knocking out a tooth, you must receive emergency dental care within 30 minutes. Make sure to pick up your knocked-out tooth by the crown (chewing surface) and not by the roots. Touching it by the roots will cause damage and make it impossible for us to reinsert the tooth. Rinse your tooth gently and attempt to reinsert it into its original socket. If this fails, cover the tooth in clean gauze and soak it in milk. Natural teeth will dry out and crack if they are not kept hydrated.

• Broken, Cracked, or Chipped Tooth – A fractured, cracked, or chipped tooth is another dental emergency that should be addressed as quickly as possible. If this occurs, you must first attempt to save as many tooth fragments as possible. Next, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the affected region. Applying a cold compress to the face can help minimize any swelling.

• Loose Tooth – Multiple factors could cause a tooth to become loose. Your tooth may be loose because of receding gums, jaw bone loss, or previous tooth loss. Accidents and facial injuries may also potentially cause your tooth to loosen. The only way to identify a loose tooth’s root cause is to visit our emergency dentist.

• Dental Abscess – A dental abscess is a pus-filled pocket caused by an infection in a tooth. A neglected cavity, a dental injury, or old dental work can cause this infection. Our dentist can drain the abscess to eliminate the infection. We may then recommend scaling and root planning, a root canal, or tooth extraction, depending on the severity of the infection. Untreated dental abscesses can often lead to life-threatening complications.

• Infections – Infectious symptoms include redness, soreness, and swelling around the tooth. Most infections occur around the tooth’s root or in the gaps between teeth and gums. If left untreated, infections can cause harm to the surrounding tissue and teeth. If you suspect an infection, rinse your mouth with salt water and contact us immediately.

• Injuries to Tongue, Cheeks, Gums, or Lips – Injuries to these soft tissue regions of the mouth can result in profuse bleeding. Rinse your mouth with salt water and put gauze or a wet tea bag at the injury site to stop the bleeding. Contact us immediately to schedule an emergency appointment.

• Fractured Jawbone – The mandible or jawbone, which extends from the chin to below the ear, is also a sensitive site for facial fractures. Suppose you are experiencing bruising, swelling, and pain along the jaw or behind the ear, trouble opening or closing your mouth, double vision or numbness in the face or jaw region, as well as swollen eyelids or sunken eyes. In that case, you should seek medical assistance immediately.

• Injury to Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ) – The connector between the upper and lower jaws is especially susceptible to injury, and treatment for this delicate joint is essential. If you suspect an injury in this jaw area, seek medical attention immediately to avoid further damage and complications.

Please call us with any questions or schedule an appointment if you have a dental emergency not listed above. We are happy to assist you in any way we can.

Some of the benefits of visiting an emergency dentist include the following:

• Prevents tooth loss
• Pain relief
• Improved aesthetic appearance
• Lower risk of an oral infection
• Prevent further complications
• Lower long-term dental expenses

Some patients may delay emergency dental care due to concerns about high dental expenses, which can be counterproductive because it can damage oral and overall health and lead to higher dental costs in the long run.

Accidents and injuries to the mouth and teeth are common, but putting off seeing a dentist or ignoring the problem can have long-term consequences for your oral and overall health. At Precision Oral Surgery, we want you to feel at ease during your treatment. Visit us at one of our two convenient locations in Greeley and Thornton, Colorado, to learn more about our affordable dental emergency services and how our team can help safeguard your oral health, avoid tooth loss, and keep your smile bright and healthy.