A 24-hour emergency dentist Los Angeles is a dentist who deals with emergency dental problems 24/7. Not all dental problems need immediate attention. This also doesn’t mean that you will not require an emergency dentist in the future. If you have conditions like:
- Your teeth won’t stop bleeding
- Your pain does not get better even after medication
- Your facial bone got broken
At such times, you need immediate dental care.
Roles of a 24-hour emergency dentist
Unlike traditional cosmetic dentists, emergency dentists are available 24/7. They ensure that any critical dental issues get addressed as quickly as possible. The following are the roles of an emergency dentist:
Immediate response to dental emergency
No one knows the time for any emergency situation to occur. This type of situation can strike at any time. Fortunately, emergency dentists available 24/7 are prepared to handle any emergency situation related to dental problems. This can include situations like traumatic injuries, severe toothaches, and many more.
Moreover, emergency dentists understand the importance of such emergency situation and are very dedicated to providing urgent relief. Their 24/7 availability ensures that no patient stays in discomfort or pain while waiting for regular opening hours.
Extensive care beyond office hours
Unlike traditional cosmetic dentists, emergency dentists do not leave patients stranded in emergency cases even if they arise before office hours. Instead, they provide immediate dental care to those patients in need. This doesn’t end here. Emergency dentists also provide several dental services even at odd hours not just treating acute injuries and pain. In short, emergency dentists provide intensive care to anyone who is in need even if it exceeds office hours.
Preventing complications and long-term damage
Preventing complications and long-term damage is another role of a 24/7 emergency dentist. Delaying dental emergency treatments is just like inviting serious complications and long-term damages. For example, a constant toothache could indicate the underlying issues, might it be an infection or others and can spread if left untreated. So, leaving such kind of conditions untreated can cause serious complications in the future. Therefore, seeking services from a 24/7 emergency dentist can prevent such situations.
Reassuring and providing support in times of distress
A dental emergency can cause both physical discomfort and emotional distress. This uncertainty can become overwhelming, needing both medical and emotional support. A 24/7 emergency dentist also offers reassurance and comfort while treating physical problems. Therefore, this helps reduce stress and anxiety in patients and improves overall experience.
Accessible care
The availability of an emergency dentist 24/7 is a complete game-changer to many people. People with busy schedules, who work odd hours, and travelers can all benefit since an emergency dentist is available 24/7. Hence, people can all relax without any stress because an emergency dentist will always be there to help no matter what the time is.
When to know you need an emergency dentist?
If you happen to have any of the following conditions, you need immediate attention. The conditions include:
- Severe toothache
- Knocked-out tooth
- Badly cracked tooth
- Extruded tooth (partially dislodged tooth)
- Broken or lost dental restoration
- Dental abscess (swelling on your jaw or face
- Severe soft tissue injuries such as deep cuts or busted lip
How to control severe toothache symptoms until we see the dentist?
If you have a severe toothache, follow the following steps to relieve your symptoms:
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water.
- Used dental floss to remove any stuck food.
- Apply a cold compress on your cheek if your mouth is swollen.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen. (Note: Never apply painkillers like aspirin on your tooth or gum as this can harm your gum tissue).
The above-mentioned few steps might help relieve your symptoms but the best is to see an emergency dentist straight away. That is because delaying any dental emergency can bring serious health complications.
What to do when a dental emergency arises?
The first thing you should do is to call your dentist right away for further instructions. Most dentists have emergency numbers that allow people to make a call even if it exceeds office hours. And, for those people who don’t have a dentist, they can go to the nearest emergency centers or urgent care centers.
Which dental conditions are not considered dental emergencies?
The following dental conditions are not considered dental as dental emergencies:
- Broken braces
- Mild or dull toothache
- Crack or small chip in a tooth
- Minor soft tissue injury such as a small sore or cut
- Foods stuck between your teeth
Remember, if you have severe pain or bleeding, you need to seek emergency dental care right away.
Treatments for common dental emergencies
The treatment for dental emergencies depends on the type of damage and situation you have. In cases like severe tooth cracks or chips and toothache, your dentist will repair the chipped or cracked tooth and address the infection. Such conditions require:
- Dental filling
- Root canal
- Antibiotic and irrigation treatment
- Extraction
If your tooth has come out completely, is broken, or is knocked loose, then your dentist will follow the following procedures:
- Dental filling
- Root canal treatment
- Splinting
- Reimplantation
- Antibiotic treatment