Dental emergencies that need immediate attention

If you have ever experienced a toothache, you know that the throbbing pain can be hard to manage, often with OTC medications. While you should visit a dental clinic at least once a few months, dental emergencies need more attention. If you are looking for a Hollywood, Florida dentist for your entire family, make sure that the clinic can respond to emergencies without delay. Here are five situations when you need to see a dentist immediately.

1. You have a severe toothache. Pain in teeth or gums could be related to many things, including a cavity. While taking a painkiller may ease the immediate situation, you still need to see a dentist and focus on a specific treatment plan.
2. You have avulsed teeth. If you have suffered an accident or injury that has led to avulsed teeth, call the dental clinic right away. When a tooth is knocked out of place, the gums, tissues, and blood vessels suffer damage and need attention. Your dentist will check if the tooth can be restored, which is possible with early intervention.
3. You have a missing crown or filling. With regular use, crowns and fillings may fall out. If a crown is dislodged, the affected tooth may cause pain and could be prone to further decay. Take a dental appointment as soon as possible and keep the crown safe in a box. While crowns can be reinserted, fillings usually need replacement.  
4. You have a broken tooth. It is not rare to have a fractured or cracked tooth, and when that happens, you need to get immediate dental care. If the crack extends to the root, there can be extreme pain. Call your dentist and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to reduce the symptoms. If there is bleeding, use gauze and apply a topical pain reliever if necessary.
5. You have a loose tooth. A tooth may become loose or dislodged due to decay or injury. In many cases, it is possible to save the tooth if it is attached to the nerves and blood vessels. Loose teeth could be a sign of advanced gum disease, also called periodontitis.

In a dental emergency, keep calm and take a painkiller immediately if you cannot bear the pain. Your dentist may need to perform surgery or consider root canal therapy to save an impacted or decayed tooth. The earlier you seek dental care, the better your chances of saving the affected tooth.