Emergency Dentist Port St. Lucie, FL
Emergency dental services treat the teeth, gums, and jaw acute injury and illness to restore function and aesthetics while preventing complications. Dentists offering emergency dental services are important when severe tooth pain strikes. Their services are also useful for individuals who break or lose a tooth, as seeking care right away can potentially restore their smile.
Emergency dental services are available at St Lucie Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Port St. Lucie and the surrounding area. When you or a family member has a dental emergency, seek help immediately. Medical care can often help patients avoid complications such as infection and difficulty speaking or eating. Call us at (772) 242-4124 to schedule your same-day dental appointment.
Common Dental Emergencies
According to the American Association of Endodontists, emergency dental care is appropriate when a person:
- Breaks, cracks, or chips a tooth because of an impact or fall
- Loses a tooth because of an impact or fall
- Experiences severe pain because of a decayed or infected tooth
- An abscess or swollen face
- Needs a tooth extraction due to pain
- Loose or painful implant
Some damage or trauma to teeth may be an emergency that requires immediate restorative dental care.
- Replace filling
- Install a temporary crown
- Repair broken bridge or crown that fell out while eating or another activity
- Fix or repair a broken or chipped tooth
- Cracked or broken denture
- Cracked or broken partial
This could include replacing a filling, installing a temporary crown, or performing a root canal. An emergency dentist may be able to give you emergency advice over the phone. For example, If an adult tooth is knocked out of place, put it in milk and then get to a dentist as soon as possible.
“Some damage or trauma to teeth may be an emergency that requires immediate restorative dental care.”
When To Visit an Emergency Dentist
Not all oral problems require emergency dental care, so patients must examine their situation before making an appointment. Most minor issues can wait a few days for a scheduled appointment. However, there are several reasons to seek emergency dental care:
- Restorative emergencies: Accidents can occur at any time, and in the event of a missing or chipped tooth, it is best to seek immediate care. Restorative emergencies require dental care to preserve teeth, so they remain functional. Dentists can then replace teeth to restore the patient’s smile.
- Severe gum pain: According to WebMD, patients should visit the dentist if minor tooth, jaw, or gum pain lasts more than two days. However, those who are in extreme pain should visit the dentist immediately. Pain that persists despite taking over-the-counter medications, such as Aleve®, Tylenol®, or Advil®, could indicate a serious infection or gum disease.
- Tooth abscess: Tooth abscesses are caused by pockets of pus that develop underneath teeth. In addition to being extremely painful, a tooth abscess can lead to a life-threatening infection if left untreated. Seeking immediate care allows dentists to drain the pus that causes the pain before the problem becomes more severe.
- Lost fillings: When patients lose cavity fillings or crowns, the opening is susceptible to infection. Replacing lost crowns and fillings eliminates pain and reduces the chance of infection setting in. Waiting to receive this treatment could elevate patients’ pain.
- Pain in the mouth around teeth: In many cases, severe tooth pain will need immediate treatment to alleviate the pain. Common treatments are crowns, root canals, and extractions. Pain is typically due to decay that has traveled to the nerve of the tooth, infection, or cracks in the tooth.
“…there are several reasons to seek emergency dental care.”
Benefits of Emergency Dental Care
Emergency dental treatment helps relieve mouth pain quickly and effectively. Dental trauma can occur from an accident or an injury. Seeking immediate care when a problem occurs prevents it from becoming a more extensive issue requiring harsher treatments. By taking control of dental emergencies and visiting the dentist immediately, patients can drastically improve their oral health.
“Seeking immediate care when a problem occurs prevents it from becoming a more extensive issue requiring harsher treatments.”
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Treatments for Dental Emergencies
Since there are many types of dental emergencies, treatment options vary. The dentist will first examine the problem to determine the best course of treatment. After diagnosing the issue, the dentist can either treat the infection, remove the infected tooth, or replace missing tooth fragments. The dentist may also prescribe pain medication or antibiotics to aid in recovery.
“Since there are many types of dental emergencies, treatment options vary.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. When should I seek emergency dental care?
Q. Why should I seek emergency dental care?
Q. What are the different types of dental emergency treatments?
Q. What should I do while waiting to get to the emergency dentist?
Q. How can I tell if I have a dental emergency?
People Also Ask
Q. Should I have persistent pain after a professional cleaning?
Q. What are some of the reasons one might need a tooth extraction?
Q. What is the treatment for a cracked tooth?
Q. What are the symptoms of a cracked tooth?
Q. What are some of the signs indicating a need for tooth extraction?
What To Do While Waiting For Emergency Dental Treatment
If a patient is suffering from any kind of dental trauma, the first thing to do is contact the dentist for instructions. Treatment options vary depending upon the type of problem. For a lost filling or crown, patients can use a small piece of sugarless gum to cover the opening temporarily. Mouth pain can sometimes be alleviated with over-the-counter medications, while extensive dental trauma may require patients to pack their mouths with gauze.
“If a patient is suffering from any kind of dental trauma, the first thing to do is contact the dentist for instructions.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I avoid a dental emergency?
A. Protect your teeth and gums when playing sports by using a mouthguard made to fit your mouth precisely. Do not chew hard items such as candy and ice that can damage teeth. Do not use your teeth as tools (to open a package, for example), which can also cause breakage and injury. Keep a first aid kit with gauze and acetaminophen in case of a dental injury.
Q. Is tooth sensitivity a dental emergency?
A. If you experience pain or sensitivity when the teeth are exposed to heat, cold, or pressure, a cavity could be the cause. This symptom is also common among those who have recently had a dental procedure. However, it does not constitute an emergency unless the pain becomes severe.
Q. What type of pain signals a dental emergency?
A. Sharp pain that occurs when you bite down often indicates a broken or damaged tooth. If pain occurs to the gum area within 30 seconds or so of eating hot or cold food, this could indicate damage or infection to the pulp of the tooth. Both of these situations require immediate dental care.
Q. Should I seek emergency dental care for a small crack or chip?
A. Minor damage to the teeth is often painless and is not necessarily an emergency. Chips and cracks that affect only the tooth's enamel can often be filled, polished, and smoothed. However, you should see the dentist right away to prevent further damage. A crack or break in the tooth becomes more urgent when the root is exposed, which can cause severe pain.
Q. What if I have a loose adult tooth?
A. A loose permanent tooth is a dental emergency. If left untreated, the tooth could fall out entirely. Gently push the tooth back into alignment and see a dentist right away for reattachment.
Q. Do I need to take antibiotics prior to emergency dental treatment such as a tooth extraction?
A. Typically no, in most cases the fastest way to get out of tooth pain is to have your tooth removed or treated with a root canal. Antibiotics can be given to help with infection in cases when treatment can not be performed, but this is a temporary solution that does not fix the root cause of the pain. There are rare cases when antibiotics are needed prior to the treatment but we suggest coming into the office first.
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Dental Terminology
Learn More About How Emergency Dental Care Can Help You
A dental emergency can be frightening, and it is important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Our practitioners can treat your problem to relieve mouth pain quickly. Call St Lucie Center for Cosmetic Dentistry at 772-242-4124 today to schedule an appointment in Port St. Lucie.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
About our business and website security
- St Lucie Center for Cosmetic Dentistry was established in 1984.
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- We serve patients from the following counties: St. Lucie County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Port St. Lucie, River Park, White City, Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce South, St Lucie West, Tradition, Palm City, Jensen Beach, and Stuart
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