Dental Implants: Pros and Cons

Emergency Dentistry: Issues that Require Prompt Dental Care

by Brett Clark

It is advisable to consult a dental clinic that offers emergency dentistry if you suffer from dental pain or trauma. These issues need to be resolved quickly before they worsen.

Dental Pain

Dental pain typically occurs when you have a bacterial disease, referred to as caries that destroys your dentine and enamel. The disease begins when oral bacteria ferments dietary carbohydrates, leading to tooth decay. When your teeth decay, you will notice opaque white parts of enamel with some grey undertones. If the decay advances, you may have some brownish areas on your teeth.

You may not have any symptoms when this bacterial disease starts. The pain only begins when the decay affects your pulp, initiating inflammation. Once the decay gets to the pulp, you will experience severe inflammation, causing persistent, spontaneous, and severe pain. The pain is usually poorly localized.

When you consult a dentist, they will examine your teeth to determine the extent of the decay. A root canal is often performed to treat the dental pain. The root canal involves removing the pulp in the affected teeth and filling up the canal. An extraction is another possible treatment option.

Your level of discomfort will determine how soon you should consult a dental clinic such as Mandurah Dental Surgery. But you should not delay your appointment for more than a couple of days. The dentist may prescribe opiod or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for a week to help you manage the pain.

Caries can be prevented by practising good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing your teeth reduces the amount of carbohydrates available for oral bacteria to break down, lowering your risk of developing dental caries.

Dental Trauma

Consult a dentist for emergency dental care as soon as you suffer from any form of trauma that affects your teeth. Dental trauma can be caused by falls, sports injuries or accidents. The dentist will examine your injury and look out for any loose, fractured or displaced teeth. They will also establish the injury mechanism and timeline because they can influence the treatment option applied.

A dental radiograph is usually performed to establish the extent of the trauma. If you fail to get prompt treatment you may suffer from pulp death or tooth defects and displacement. The dentist will reimplant any loose or displaced teeth and prescribe antibiotics to reduce infection risk. You will also have to get a tetanus vaccine after dental trauma if you have not received one in the last five years.

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