Chipped Teeth: When Is It An Emergency?

Is a cracked, split, or chipped tooth classified as an emergency in the dental domain? Dental pain and injuries are inevitably unpredictable, thus creating anxiety in patients on the extent of the situation. A typical question many people have is if a knocked out or cracked tooth is a dental emergency. In this complete guide, you will learn how to tell how severe a broken or chipped tooth is, what dangers are involved in such occurrences, and what measures should be taken to address the problem as soon as possible with the help of Liberty Dental Office TX.

What Contests Dental Emergencies?

1. Extreme Tooth Pain
Dental emergencies are frequent, and one of the main complaints is a severe toothache, which could be a dull throbbing ache or a sharp, severe one. This unbearable pain that you feel in your teeth or gums can be explained by several dental problems, for instance, cracked teeth, tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, or an infected tooth that may need a root canal procedure. Severe discomfort demands an emergency appointment with an emergency dentist to rule out that the pain stems from significant cracks or nerve injuries that necessitate professional dental attention.

2. Chipped tooth
A chipped or broken tooth can result from an accident if one takes a blow to the face, biting hard on some food particles, or deteriorating the dental crown. It is normally painful and shocking, but all chipped teeth do not need the attention of an emergency dentist. If the chip is tiny and does not hurt, it can probably wait until normal working hours to be removed. However, if it is a large one or has an irregular shape, or if you feel pain or notice bleeding at the site, it is a dental emergency, and one should consult a dentist.

3. Knocked-Out Tooth
This dental emergency mostly results from sportsmanship falls or any other mishap in which the full tooth avails itself. The tooth may be saved if the knocked-out tooth can be retrieved quickly, and the tooth should get to the dental office as quickly as possible. Gently spit the tooth under running water; do not touch the root; put it in a glass of milk or saline solution, and try to find an emergency dentist in Texas.

4. Loose or Wobbly Teeth
Our permanent teeth are meant to stand us in good stead for a lifetime; therefore, if your teeth feel loose, it is a sign. In addition to cavities, wobbling teeth signify other dental problems, such as periodontal diseases that can cause tooth loss. Thus, to avoid developing additional problems, diagnosis at the initial stage and treatment methods are required.

5. Mouth or Face Area Swelling to Extreme
Sharp expansion of the lips, tongue, face, or jaw can be a sign of severe contact allergy, a systemic infection, or an abscess that, if neglected, may threaten life. It will, therefore, require emergency dental attendance if it is related to fever, breathing problems, or swallowing.

6. Uncontrolled bleeding
Hemorrhage after tooth injury or removal is another dental emergency requiring prompt treatment. It might signal issues connected to the development of blood clots or injury to the soft tissues. Put some ice on the area and head straight for the nearest dental surgeon.

7. Jaw Pain or Locked Jaw
Long-term jaw pain might be related to primary dental diseases, namely TMJ disorder or bruxism. Occasionally it might be caused by different types of arthritis that characterize the joint that connects the jaw to the head. Such problems warrant medical intervention to manage the pain and enable a return to normal functionality with TMJ treatment.

8. Gum pain or inflammation
Inflammation and stiffness of gums may indicate gum disease or a dental abscess; if it progresses, it may lead to tooth loss. If a person has tender gums, it may indicate that they have a wisdom tooth moving in, which may cause them to need a wisdom teeth extraction for preventive purposes. In all these cases, if the swelling and pains do not subside after the mentioned period, it is advisable to seek an emergency dental visit.

Scheduling Urgent Dental Appointments

• Contact Your Dentist: The first thing you should do is contact your dentist as soon as possible to enlighten him/her on the situation further. Give information regarding the injury’s degree and all associated signs and symptoms.
• Emergency Dental Services: If your dentist is off work or during those hours that dentists don’t operate, find out when an emergency dentist is near you. Of course, most dental practices provide for emergencies in one way or another.
• Visit an Emergency Room (if necessary): If the injury is major or it is impossible to see a dentist, it is possible to go to the emergency room instead.

Risks of Delaying Treatment

Delaying treatment for a broken or chipped tooth can pose various risks and complications:

• Infection: When exposed to nerves or pulp, it becomes prone to infections. The erection of bacteria in the tooth occurs once treatment is delayed and ends in the formation of an abscess.
• Further Damage: An avulsed tooth not treated on time may worsen the dental status, making restoration more complicated, as one may undergo surgery.
• Prolonged Discomfort: Reduction in the quality of life is guaranteed since it means that one has to spend a longer time suffering from discomfort and pain, and also, there is the possibility of even getting some extent of disability.
• Aesthetic Concerns: Chipped, broken, or discolored front teeth can be embarrassing and affect your interactions with other people.

Treatment options

Here are some of the treatment options a dentist might explore when a patient comes with a severely chipped tooth:

1. Root canal
If the tooth has been damaged and falls under a dental emergency, the dentist might recommend a root canal. It is done to remove bacteria and debris from the nerve and soft tissue in the pulp when an injury results in the opening of this normally closed area of the tooth. If the bacteria in the mouth are left without treatment, they begin to infect the said soft tissues.

2. Extraction
Dentists often perform a tooth extraction when more than half of the enamel has been eroded and extends below the gum line. At that stage, removing the tooth from your mouth is no other way. The tooth can be removed, and the oral restoration, such as an implant, is placed in the area. The implant acts as a substitute for the missing root of the extracted tooth and avoids the shrinkage of the bone tissues, which is typically observed when a person cannot replace a missing tooth.

Summing It Up

While tooth damage may seem urgent, most chips don’t require immediate attention unless they have damaged nerves or split in half. However, most dentists can swiftly resolve cosmetic problems if the tooth deformity interferes with your ability to function, such as when you have an important meeting or your wedding is soon. Remember that there can be an additional cost for an emergency appointment.

Please contact Liberty Dental Office TX if you recently chipped your tooth and are unsure of its severity. We will help you schedule an appointment.