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Do You Have a Dental Emergency?

The last thing you want to worry about during quarantine is developing a dental emergency, but oral health problems do happen, and not always at convenient times. Here is what you need to know about true dental emergencies, so you know when to act and how to stay calm.

If You Have Tooth Pain

When you have tooth pain that has settled in and shows no sign of going anywhere, call your dentist. If you have tooth pain that has come on suddenly and is causing intense discomfort, call your dentist. You very likely have infection or decay of some kind.

If you don’t have the pain addressed now, it will only get worse. Dental problems do not resolve on their own. It might not look like anything is wrong with your teeth, but under the surface something is going on. If you’re in pain, you qualify for a dental emergency.

If You Chip Your Tooth

Chipping a tooth is an annoyance. It feels weird, interrupts your smile, and is just a nuisance. Is it an emergency though? It will depend on which tooth you’ve chipped, how big the chip is, and how the chip occurred.

For example, chipping a chunk of a molar because you’ve been grinding your teeth is a multifold problem – you’re at risk for damaging even more teeth if you’re clenching your teeth that hard, and you leave that tooth susceptible to bacteria and food particles. If you chip a porcelain veneer or a front tooth, it’s still an issue, but it’s not necessarily one that requires a same-day visit to the dentist.

Take Care of Yourself

The best thing you can do for your oral health right now is simply take care of it. There is a tendency to indulge in times of stress, so you may not be eating the best foods for your teeth. Staying at home every day and not getting ready like you normally do may contribute to slacking on dental care, but it’s still essential that you brush twice daily and floss once a day. Continue to wear your night guard if you have one to protect your teeth from erosion, cracks, and chips. And try not to do any crazy quarantine projects or unfamiliar exercise moves that put your mouth at risk.

Always Call Your Haymarket Dentist

If you think you have a dental problem, call your dentist. Don’t wait until quarantine ends. Don’t wait for the pain to go away. Don’t assume that it’s not as bad as it seems. There is no harm in reaching out to an expert who will ask the right questions and guide you through scenarios to determine whether you need to be seen immediately.

Your Haymarket dental office is open for emergencies so, if you have one, don’t hesitate to call and discuss what’s going on. We are taking every precaution and measure to keep our facility clean and safe for our emergency patients and staff so your only concern should be getting to our office and getting your problem dealt with immediately.