Emergency Dental Services and Procedures: What You Need to Know

Written on November 1, 2022.

Dental emergencies are defined as dental problems that require swift attention and treatment. For example, treatment may be necessitated to save a tooth, stop bleeding, and/or alleviate severe pain. If you or a family member is experiencing a dental issue that is causing concern, it is important to take proactive steps rather than simply hoping for the problem to go away on its own.

Here at Northmed Dental in Northcote and Mairangi Bay, we specialize in emergency dental services and provide exceptional emergency dental care to all patients. As we understand the fear and apprehension many people experience when going to the dentist, our goal is to make them feel comfortable while also providing quality treatment.

In this blog post, our expert team will highlight some of the most common issues that require urgent dental care. Let’s get started.

Common Types of Dental Emergencies

Here is a list of 4 common dental emergencies that members of the public often seek treatment for.

Teeth Damaged From Injury

There are a number of scenarios where teeth can become damaged, including while playing sport or as a result of a fall. Teeth damaged from injury constitute a dental emergency. In the same way that a person who broke their foot in an accident would go to an emergency room, a person who suffers sudden teeth damage should also seek prompt emergency care from a professional.

Undoubtedly one of the most common dental emergencies is knock-out teeth, something that can be both painful and upsetting. We recommend that you follow a number of steps so as to increase the overall chances of saving the tooth. These include:

Locate the tooth
Pick it up and hold it by the crown
Rinse the tooth with water (if it is dirty)
Reposition the tooth back in the socket (if possible)
Otherwise, hold in mouth next to cheek or place in milk
Visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible

As noted above, following this advice increases the likelihood that the tooth can be saved.

Severe Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is another common dental problem and refers to damage to the enamel or surface of the tooth. Dental cavities are areas of the teeth that have been permanently damaged, which can occur when bacteria in the mouth produce acids that attack the enamel.

When tooth decay is not treated, the pulp within the centre of the tooth may become infected and damaged, causing it to begin to die. In such cases, people may experience severe pain when biting and chewing. When the pain does become severe, emergency treatment is often required.

One solution here is a root canal procedure, which helps to clean out bacteria within the tooth. Depending on the severity of the case, tooth extraction may be necessary. In cases of tooth decay, early action means that there is less chance of serious infection.

Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is caused by a bacterial infection. It occurs when pus collects around the teeth, gums, or bone that hold the teeth in place. Periodontal abscesses and periapical abscesses are 2 examples of tooth abscesses.

Some of the primary symptoms of a tooth abscess are:

Throbbing pain in the affected area
Pain that is heightened when lying down
Pain that spread to the jaw, ear, and neck
Bad breath
Shiny and swollen gums

The exact nature of the abscess will determine the most appropriate treatment option. A root canal treatment, tooth extraction, and incision and drainage of the affected gum are examples of possible treatment options.

Cracked or Broken Teeth

A crack or break in the enamel of a tooth can result in a fractured tooth. In some cases, the crack may be shallow and not painful. However, in cases where the crack actually resulted in a split tooth that affected the roots, this can be extremely painful and does require emergency dental care.

Causes of a cracked tooth can include playing contact sports, chewing hard objects, using teeth to open bottles, and grinding teeth. There are a number of treatment options available, depending on the specific nature of the case. These may include:

Applying a crown or a filling
Gluing the chipped fragment back on
Performing root canal treatment

The latter option may be performed in the case of a badly broken tooth that has resulted in the nerves becoming exposed. We will make a decision on the best treatment option depending on the severity of the issue.

How Emergency Dental Care Works

In many instances, it will be clear that emergency dental care is required (such as a knocked-out tooth). In other, less obvious cases, a person may be reluctant to get the dental treatment they require.

However, it is always best to seek emergency care if you are experiencing an issue that is causing pain, bleeding, is causing infection, or if there are other warning signs.

In Northcote and Mairangi Bay, your premier choice is always Northmed Dental. Our dedicated team utilise the latest dental technology to carry out swift treatment in the event of a dental emergency.

Choose the Best Emergency Dental Services Near You

A dental emergency can occur at any time. If you are seeking emergency dental services in Northcote and Mairangi Bay, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We are here to help.

We are open 7 days a week. Contact our team in Northcote at 09 884 8262 or Mairangi Bay at 09 886 5680. Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment with us today here.