Your Guide to Dental Emergencies: What’s Urgent and What Can Wait

You might do a great job when it comes to taking care of your teeth. You do what you need to so they are as strong as they can be. However, life can get in the way of things and land you in a dental emergency. These situations are never fun, but which ones call for urgent dental care in McKinney? It can seem tricky to know, but here is an easy way to tell if you need to get help from your dentist right away.

What Situations Are a Dental Emergency?

Finding yourself in these scenarios can be stressful, but going to your dentist as soon as possible can get you the help you need. Especially if you are experiencing:

• Severe Discomfort: If you are in intense pain, then you deserve to get relief from it! It can happen from an infection, which needs to be treated right away. If not, then the bacteria that are causing trouble can spread to your other teeth and gums.
• Dental Damage: You might’ve had an accident that led to a chip or crack. These need to be fixed because they might show the inner pulp, even minor ones. This part of a tooth can be attacked by plaque, leading to oral health issues.
• Knocked-Out or Loose Tooth: This may be more worrying than others, as you may imagine that you’ll lose your chomper. However, getting it treated within an hour can give you the best chance to save it.
• Abscessed Tooth: You can get this condition from an infection. It manifests as a pimple-like bump on your gums. Aside from it hurting, you may also have a fever and swelling in your face.

What Isn’t Counted as a Dental Emergency?

There are some symptoms that you may have that aren’t necessarily a dental emergency. But if you have any of them, then your dentist will likely want to see you as soon as possible. For instance, if you have a minor toothache, it can happen from gum irritation, a small cavity, or food stuck between your teeth. These aren’t urgent, but they can become one when left untreated.

A similar thing applies to a fallen veneer or restoration. They can cause some discomfort, but your oral health isn’t in immediate harm. You’ll still need to book an appointment as soon as possible, but take steps to protect your tooth from any harm until your visit.

So, When Should I Call My Dentist?

Regardless of what situation you are in, if you are worried about your smile, then call your dentist. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Your provider can walk you through what you can do to find relief at home or get you in to give you the treatment you need. That way, you can go back to having a set of teeth you feel confident in.

About the Practice

At Marble Dental McKinney, you benefit from the compassionate leadership of Dr. Zack Hegazin and Dr. Muna Koro. We are here to help the community if they find themselves needing urgent dental care. With same-day appointments, you can get back to a happy smile that’s problem-free. If you want to learn more about how you can avoid these situations, schedule an appointment or call our office at (214) 592-0441.