Ideally, a patient should be able to make a dental appointment when it’s most convenient. But, unfortunately, issues like a knocked-out tooth, infections, injuries, or unexplained severe pain may warrant emergency dentistry services.
At Charming Smiles of La Quinta, we understand that sometimes patients need same-day appointments. That’s why we always treat emergency oral or teeth issues with the utmost care. Whether you are dealing with a broken filling or a sharp pain, our office is just one call away.
Situations We Consider to be a Dentist Emergency
Generally, our patients are good judges of what they consider dental emergencies. To make a call, a patient doesn’t necessarily need to have teeth falling out or gums profusely bleeding. However, emergency dentistry situations we often treat include the following:
Missing Teeth
Many people wrongfully believe that having missing teeth isn’t a major issue—let alone a dental emergency. However, tooth gaps affect your ability to communicate and eat.
Whether you already have missing teeth or need an extraction, our emergency dental care can include solutions like:
- Dentures
- Dental implants
- Dental bridges
Emergency Extractions
Alongside wisdom teeth removal, tooth decay is a common reason why patients need extractions.
Our bodies naturally contain bacteria, and most of these bacteria are harmless and even beneficial. However, some harmful bacteria can collect on a tooth’s surface (usually from food debris), creating plaque. Plaque left untreated can wear away at a tooth’s enamel.
Over time, this plaque attacking a tooth can get deeper, eventually causing tooth decay. Many patients can schedule a tooth extraction or cavity filling in the near future. However, a severely painful tooth requires an emergency call.
Damaged or Broken Tooth
Chewing too hard or accidentally biting an object (like biting silverware while eating) can cause you to chip, severely damage, or break a tooth. Similarly, an accident like falling or being hit with a ball while playing sports can cause a knocked-out tooth.
Resolving a damaged or broken tooth during a regular dentistry appointment is possible. However, making an emergency call is often the better solution, especially if you suffer from a lot of pain.
Minor damage may only require a dental veneer, a thin enamel layer placed over the front of the damaged tooth. More severe issues may call for a procedure like a dental implant.
Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth occurs when a patient’s dental nerve becomes infected. Generally, this condition results from tooth decay and often requires emergency attention. Left untreated, an abscessed tooth can create an opening in a tooth’s enamel, attracting bacteria.
How Can Patients Prepare for Emergency Services?
It’s tempting to take pain medication before visiting an emergency doctor. However, it’s better to avoid doing so, as it can make diagnosing a condition more difficult. You should also avoid eating food and only drink warm water.
Call Our Office Today
Sometimes dental emergencies happen, and patients should know who to call when they do.
If you live in or near La Quinta, CA, call our dental professionals at Charming Smiles of La Quinta at (760) 354-8376 for all your emergency dentistry needs!
