Charlotte Emergency Dentist

Why Do I Need Immediate Dental Care After An Accident?

Getting immediate dental care helps you treat the pain and discomfort of a dental injury as soon as possible. Conditions like a cracked or damaged tooth can be incredibly painful and will prevent you from living your day-to-day life until you get the proper care.

Emergency care after an accident helps prevent further damage to your teeth and ensures you avoid common complications down the road. For example, a cracked tooth may only require treatment with a dental crown if you get help right away. However, if you delay treatment, your tooth may develop an infection and require treatment with a root canal. Timely dental care maximizes the chances of saving your tooth. Some conditions like a knocked-out tooth must be treated within 1-2 hours for optimal results.  

Recognizing The Signs Of An Infected Tooth

An infected tooth is a serious dental emergency. If you do not get care for an infected tooth right away, it will only get worse. Your tooth may eventually die, and require extraction and replacement with a restoration like a dental implant. If you get treatment right away with a root canal, though, our team can save your tooth and restore your smile.

The most common sign of an infected tooth is a serious, prolonged toothache that lasts more than a day or two. Other signs and symptoms to look out for include sensitivity to heat and cold, pain or sensitivity when chewing, inflammation around the tooth, and discoloration of the affected tooth. In serious cases of infection, the cheek and area around the tooth may even be swollen. If you recognize one or more of these symptoms, come see us for an emergency appointment right away. Immediate care is required to ensure you can save your tooth. 

What Should I Do About A Loose Or Knocked-Out Tooth?

If your tooth has been knocked loose in an accident, don’t panic. Stay calm and come see us right away. We can splint your tooth to the adjacent teeth, and ensure that it heals properly. However, it’s important to come see us within 1-2 hours of your injury. 

If your tooth is knocked out, come to our office immediately for emergency care. Ideally, your tooth should be re-implanted within 1 hour, though it may be possible to save it up to 2 hours after your accident. Find your tooth and rinse it with warm water. Be sure to only grab it by the top (crown), not the bottom (root), and replace it in the socket or put it in a container of milk to keep it moist. Then, come into our office ASAP. Don’t delay. The longer you wait to come in, the less likely it is that we’ll be able to save your tooth. Call us today!