If you have experienced a mouth injury, tooth pain, or problems with existing dental work, you may require care from the dentist right away. But how do you know whether the issue constitutes an emergency? Here, the dental team at Parkway Family Dental in Kalispell, MT, explains the difference between an emergency situation and a less urgent dental need.

When You Need Emergency Care

The severity of the injury and the level of pain determines whether it is a dental emergency. It can result from sports injuries, infection, or other trauma to the mouth and teeth. Sports injuries may include a dislocated jaw, tooth fractures, knocked-out teeth, or cheek, mouth, and tongue wounds. If you also experience intense pain or bleeding, seek care right away at the dentist or the emergency room. Receiving timely treatment could save the tooth. 

A mouth infection, such as an abscess, is extremely painful. Other signs include swelling, pus, mouth sensitivity, or fever. The dentist needs to remove this promptly and treat it with antibiotics—which is key to keeping the infection from spreading. Other dental emergencies include loose or misaligned teeth, which a dental team should treat as soon as possible to prevent irreversible damage.

Non-Emergency Dental Issues  

A common non-urgent problem is losing a crown or filling. This may cause some discomfort but you usually don’t require emergency treatment. Make an appointment with the dentist and find a temporary fix in the meantime. You can often put crowns back in place with the help of petroleum jelly, lip balm, or over-the-counter denture cement.

You can also fill a missing cavity with a small amount of dental cement or cover it with a bit of sugarless gum. Other non-emergency conditions include chipped teeth, broken dentures, or minor toothaches.

To prevent dental emergencies, brush, floss, and use mouthwash daily. Also, wear the proper safety equipment when playing sports. Seeing the dentist regularly addresses issues before they become serious.

To maintain your oral hygiene and avoid dental emergencies, schedule an appointment with Parkway Family Dental. Whether you need a routine oral examine or have a nagging toothache, their team of dentists will help you achieve a beautiful smile. Call (406) 752-2372 or visit them online to learn more about their dental services.