What Is It & When You Need It

Emergency dental work refers to urgent treatment provided by a dentist to address sudden, painful, or potentially serious oral health issues. Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly emergency dental work fairhope al due to injury, infection, or a problem with existing dental work—and they often require immediate attention to prevent further damage or health complications.

Common Dental Emergencies

Not all dental problems require emergency care, but here are several situations where immediate dental attention is necessary:

1. Severe Toothache Intense or persistent pain may signal deep decay, nerve damage, or infection. Emergency treatment can relieve pain and prevent the spread of infection.
2. Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth) If a tooth is completely knocked out, it’s important to act quickly—within 30 to 60 minutes. If the tooth is clean, try to place it back in the socket or keep it in milk or saliva while heading to the dentist.
3. Cracked or Broken Tooth A fractured tooth can expose nerves or blood vessels, causing pain or bleeding. Treatment may involve bonding, crowns, emergency dental work fairhope al or in severe cases, root canal or extraction.
4. Dental Abscess An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by infection. It can lead to swelling, fever, and severe pain. Left untreated, it can spread to other areas and become life-threatening.
5. Lost Filling or Crown While not always painful, a missing filling or crown can expose sensitive parts of the tooth and make it vulnerable to damage or decay.
6. Bleeding Gums or Oral Injuries Uncontrolled bleeding due to trauma or injury to the gums, tongue, or cheeks needs urgent care, especially if it’s severe or doesn’t emergency dental care fairhope al stop after applying pressure.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

• Stay calm and call your dentist or an emergency dental clinic right away.
• For pain, use over-the-counter pain relievers (avoid placing aspirin directly on gums).
• If a tooth is knocked out, handle it gently by the crown, not the root.
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Control bleeding with a clean cloth or gauze.