San Francisco and Marin CA
Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Just as you or a loved one may experience a medical situation that requires a trip to the emergency room, a dental emergency requires professional dental care as soon as possible. When should you seek the care of an emergency dentist and when can you wait? We explore this topic in greater detail as, today on the blog, your emergency dentist in Marin provides three situations where you should seek immediate care.
Situation 1: A tooth gets knocked out of its socket
The clinical term for this is dental avulsion and it is a serious situation. Act quickly and the tooth may be able to be saved. Find the tooth if you can, clean it and try to put it back into the socket. If the tooth will not stay, place it in a plastic bag or a cup of milk and bring it with you to your emergency dentist. From there, your dentist can attempt to re-implant the tooth. If this is not possible, you have several options available to replace a missing tooth in San Francisco.
Situation 2: Exposure of the dental nerve
If you are unsure as to whether or not you have an exposed nerve, then it is something you have not experienced. An exposed dental nerve causes severe pain. You might feel it when you eat, drink or just breathe and walk around. Once a dental nerve flares up, it can be hard to manage the pain. An exposed nerve also could be indicative of a serious dental issue such as a deep cavity or a tooth that otherwise has sustained serious physical damage.
Situation 3: Severe tooth pain
Nothing can ruin your day like a toothache. Not all toothaches are created equal, though. A toothache that persists or produces significant pain can be a sign of a major problem: nerve damage, a seriously compromised tooth or an infection. If that infection is inside your tooth and advances to the end of the tooth root, it can create an abscess – a significant and even life-threatening infection. If you are experiencing severe dental pain, even if over-the-counter medication provides relief, you should seek the care of an emergency dentist to ensure that there is not a more serious problem present.
Emergency dentistry in San Francisco and Marin in California
You can take steps to avoid a dental emergency. Maintain a good regimen of oral hygiene that includes brushing twice per day, flossing daily and seeing your dentist once every six months for a checkup. You also should avoid using your teeth as tools and wear a mouth guard if you participate in any type of sport.
We hope that you never experience a dental emergency but if you do, the team at Glen Park Dental is here to help. We offer emergency services as needed outside of our normal business hours. If you find yourself in need of emergency dental care, contact our office in San Francisco. Just call (415) 585-1500.
