When Is It Necessary to Seek Emergency Dental Care?
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When you have been experiencing strange or severe dental symptoms, it can be hard to decide whether you should contact a dentist to seek dental care. It’s important to understand what kinds of injuries warrant a trip for emergency dental care in Plano, TX. Dr. Tim Nguyen and the professional staff at Parker West Dental Associates pride themselves on giving patients immediate medical attention when they need it most, whether for a dislodged tooth, a broken tooth, a severe toothache, or any other dental emergency.
Signs of a dental emergency
When it comes to dental emergencies, it’s difficult to know when something is severe enough to warrant an emergency dental visit. An untreated dental problem can significantly impact your health, which makes it crucial to address true dental emergencies quickly. This is why we are committed to providing immediate dental services for our patients in Plano, TX.
Here are a few signs that you should seek emergency dental care from Dr. Nguyen and the staff at Parker West Dental Associates:
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Severe tooth damage: Chips or cracks generally can wait until regular hours for treatment. However, large breaks in a tooth are deemed a dental emergency. A severe break may cause damage to the inner tissue, leading to the need for a root canal.
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Intense pain: If your tooth pain or sensitivity has continued to worsen, it may mean you have an infection. In cases where pain isn’t going away and is getting worse with time, it’s important to contact us for emergency treatment.
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Tooth loss: If a tooth has come out, place it in a container of milk and saliva to preserve it. The faster you get your tooth back into its socket, the better the chance it will be functional again.
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Swollen jaw: Swelling in the jaw can mean you have an infection. Other signs of infection are fever, bad breath, and trouble breathing or swallowing.
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Abscess: Any sign of an abscess yields a trip for emergency dental care. An abscessed tooth is an infection at the root of a tooth, and it will require a surgical procedure to drain and treat the tooth properly.
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Metal taste: If you’re tasting metal, an old filling may have loosened or cracked. Emergency dental care can address this open filling and successfully restore your tooth.
Types of dental emergencies
Many conditions and injuries can be considered dental emergencies in Plano, TX. At Parker West Dental Associates, Dr. Nguyen specializes in treating these situations in order to restore our patients’ oral health. Dislodged or loose teeth, lost fillings or crowns, and gum injuries are all examples of dental emergencies that should be addressed immediately. Depending on the issue, Dr. Nguyen may provide treatment immediately or prescribe antibiotics to address an infection. Once the infection has cleared, treatment can occur.
How regular dental exams help avoid dental emergencies
One of the easiest ways to avoid a dental emergency is by scheduling dental visits at Parker West Dental Associates on a regular basis, not just when you have a problem or an emergency that needs to be addressed. Prevention is an important part of regular dental exams and cleanings. Dr. Nguyen recommends annual dental examinations and biannual cleanings for patients of all ages. These appointments allow our expert staff to detect dental issues before there is a need for costly and extensive emergency dental care.
Be aware of your oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene can lead to potential dental emergencies. Patients in Plano, TX who practice good oral health habits like daily brushing and flossing will help prevent issues like bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease, any of which can emerge as a dental emergency down the line. Beyond the benefits inside your mouth, healthy oral hygiene habits may help prevent the development of certain health problems such as gum disease, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Contact Parker West Dental Associates for emergency dental care
It’s important that you’re always aware of what’s going on in your mouth. Any significant changes can signal a dental problem. If you have noticed signs of a dental emergency, contact Dr. Tim Nguyen and the professionals at Parker West Dental Associates in Plano, TX for immediate dental care. We are dedicated to helping you with any type of dental emergency that can’t wait. We are always here to help you restore your oral health and eliminate your pain and discomfort.