Dental emergencies occur when patients encounter severe pain, a knocked out tooth or other acute issues that need immediate treatment. While regular dental visits are scheduled in advance, emergency dentists offer immediate care for patients experiencing problems such as toothaches and lost crowns. Visiting an emergency dentist near me as soon as possible helps to prevent these situations from becoming more severe and may also save teeth that would otherwise require more extensive treatment.
In a state like New York, which is home to the Empire State Building and Times Square, a dental emergency can come out of nowhere. It is a common problem in this bustling city where many people are constantly on the go and unable to schedule a routine appointment. If you find yourself in this predicament, we will help you locate an emergency dentist near you so that you can receive the immediate care you need.
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
Although the exact criteria vary from patient to patient, some of the most common dental emergencies include jaw pain that won’t subside, a fractured tooth or a knocked out tooth. In addition, a dental abscess or a swollen jaw are also considered urgent and should be treated by an emergency dentist immediately. Other conditions that qualify as a dental emergency include broken or chipped teeth, severe gum disease and an injured jaw.
If you are in the middle of a dental crisis, the first thing you should do is rinse your mouth with warm water and take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the discomfort. If a toothache is especially painful, swishing with salt water or applying a cold compress can alleviate the symptoms. In addition, replacing a lost crown or filling promptly helps to keep the area clean and reduces the risk of infection.
Other types of restorative dental emergencies that can benefit from emergency dentistry include lost or cracked teeth and teeth that are missing. When a tooth is lost, it can be difficult to chew and can make the remaining teeth more vulnerable to infection. Replacing the tooth helps prevent further damage and eliminates pain.
Broken or cracked teeth often result from sports injuries, falls or eating hard foods. Rinsing your mouth and rinsing with a saltwater solution can soothe the pain, while over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can provide immediate relief. If a tooth is completely knocked out, try to locate it and keep it moist by placing it in milk or saline solution until you reach the emergency dentist.
When you need to locate an emergency dentist in New York, it is important that you know the difference between a 24-hour dentist and an emergency dentist. An emergency dentist is available for immediate care during normal business hours while a 24-hour dentist is open day or night to assist with any type of oral health issue that you might be facing. In general, a 24-hour dentist can handle all of the same issues that an emergency dentist does but they may also be able to offer additional services like providing antibiotics or suturing wounds if needed.