Dental emergencies are major problems that can affect your smile and oral health. If left untreated, dental emergencies can lead to tooth loss and other, more serious problems. Here are some common dental emergencies:

Dental Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of infected tissue, usually caused by an infection in the tooth’s pulp or roots. If left untreated, abscesses can cause extreme pain and may be life-threatening.

Causes for abscesses vary based on the patient. Bacteria can enter the pulp and roots of the tooth through cavities, cracks, damaged fillings, or recent dental treatments. Patients with compromised immune systems may also be more susceptible to infections that can result in an abscess.

Signs and symptoms of an abscess include pain that is constant and severe when chewing, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, swelling near the tooth, drainage from the gums, redness on the gum line, or a bad taste in the mouth.

Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is one of the common types of dental emergencies. This type of injury occurs when the tooth is dislodged or knocked out of your mouth, often due to traumatic force to the face, head, or neck. Adult teeth are particularly vulnerable to this type of accident because they are larger and stronger. Unfortunately, if the nerve tissue of the tooth has become exposed or damaged as a result of the injury, it may become unsalvageable, requiring extraction. Therefore, if you experience a traumatic injury to a tooth, be sure to contact us immediately for a same-day appointment so we can perform an examination and determine the best treatment for you.

Broken or Fractured Tooth

A broken tooth can be the result of trauma, biting on something hard, or grinding your teeth at night. If you break a tooth that is untreated, the tooth may shift out of place and cause your bite to become misaligned. If this happens, you will most likely need a dental crown. A crown will restore your tooth’s shape and size as well as provide strength for the weakened tooth.

If your tooth has become fractured and you feel pain while chewing food, you may also need root canal therapy. Root canal treatment removes damaged tissue from the interior of your tooth before sealing it with a dental crown. This procedure will prevent further infection and save your tooth from being lost entirely.

Jaw Trauma

If you or your child experiences jaw trauma, it’s important to immediately call your dentist in Carlsbad, CA, for treatment. The bone in the jaw can be fractured severely from an injury, so it’s essential to see a dentist as soon as possible. With proper treatment, your jaw can heal properly and without complications.

Hollander Dental Associates, located in Carlsbad, CA, is equipped with the best dentists and modern technologies that enable the best dental care facilities for patients. Call us at (760) 434-2526 and schedule an appointment with the dentist in Carlsbad, CA, to learn more about dental treatments.