Did you know that dental emergencies often don’t start as emergencies? In fact, most dental emergencies develop over time. Fortunately, if you live in Fort Lauderdale or the surrounding area, Dr. Josh is available in the evening and on the weekends, and he’ll do whatever he can to provide same-day treatment.
Let’s take a look at what causes many emergencies and what you can do to avoid a painful or damaging situation.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a tooth or gum tissue injury that requires immediate treatment to save your tooth, alleviate your pain, or stop severe bleeding.
Some of the most common dental emergencies include:
- Knocked-out tooth
- Broken tooth
- Abscessed tooth
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Lost or broken restoration
How Do Dental Emergencies Usually Start?
Most dental emergencies stem from an underlying issue that takes time to develop. According to the National Institute of Health, when small problems aren’t addressed, they can turn into larger, more troublesome concerns.
Here’s what you need to know about how a dental emergency can sneak up on you:
- Slow progression — If you don’t brush and floss regularly and prioritize preventive care, you could be more susceptible to tooth fracture or deep infection later on.
- No early symptoms — Tooth decay and infection often aren’t painful in their early stages. This might give you a false sense of security regarding your oral health.
- Ignoring symptoms — When you ignore early symptoms of a dental issue, you could be more likely to experience a dental emergency. It’s important to pay attention to sensitivity, minor tooth pain, or bleeding gums.
- Misleading relief — Sometimes, an infected tooth will stop hurting for awhile, making you think everything is fine, but in reality, the infection is spreading.
- Financial concerns — Many people forego dental care because they can’t afford it, but this can lead to more serious dental issues at a later date.
Need Emergency Care in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! At Smiles by Dr. Josh, we’ll work to alleviate your discomfort and restore your oral health.
To schedule a consultation or appointment, contact our office at (954) 522-4900.