Emergency dentistry services provide the rapid care you need in case of an accident or injury that leaves you with damaged teeth or oral cuts. If you’re faced with a dental issue, it can be difficult to determine what constitutes an emergency that requires same-day service. Here are some instances in which you may need prompt care to heal the area and relieve your pain.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

Damaged or Knocked-Out Tooth

Teeth can get fractured from something as simple as biting into a hard sandwich or from a more painful event such as a sports injury or car accident. Without emergency dentistry services, chipped or broken teeth can result in damage to the soft tissue of the tooth, or the pulp. This can cause severe sensitivity when eating and collect bacteria.

Loose and knocked-out teeth also require expedited dental care. If your tooth has fallen out, clean it out with water and place it in milk to preserve it while you go to your dentist. The sooner you find help, the more likely your tooth can be saved, preventing a need for a dental implant and crown.

Tissue Wounds & Infections

Emergency dentistry is also necessary when your mouth area gets injured, including cuts to the mouth, lips, tongue, and cheeks. Tissue damage also includes serious infections, such as dental abscesses, which create pockets of pus in the mouth due to bacteria buildup. These must be professionally drained, and require emergency root canals. 

If you have mouth tissue damage, don’t take painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen, since they are anticoagulants and can worsen bleeding. Clean the affected area with warm water and use gauze to stop any bleeding, then visit an emergency dentistry office.

If you need a same-day emergency dentistry service, visit Arrow Dental Care LLC in Saint Peters and Ellisville, MO. They offer services that range from preventative care and oral surgery to cosmetic dentistry, and Dr. Matt Howard is a certified Invisalign® provider. Visit them online to learn more about what they offer, or call (636) 441-6999 to make an appointment.