Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Do you have questions about what to do in case you experience a dental emergency? Dr. Kenneth Canzoneri offers fast and effective emergency care. Plus, when you contact our office, we’ll provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance to keep your smile safe until you’re able to reach our office. For your convenience, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we receive from our patients below.
Should I visit the ER?
In the midst of a dental emergency, it can be hard to decide whether you would be better off visiting an ER or your emergency dentist in Arcadia, GA. In life-threatening situations or if you sustain damage that requires medical attention, you’ll need to visit your ER. These include breaking or fracturing your jawbone, getting a deep facial laceration, or any issue that impacts your ability to easily swallow or breathe. Otherwise, it’s almost always better to visit your emergency dentist. This is due to the fact that they will provide you pain-relieving treatment that will also prevent the issue from occurring again down the road.
How can I bring down facial swelling caused by a dental emergency?
Facial swelling is a common affect of dental emergencies involving infected teeth or dental trauma. One great way to reduce any puffiness on your face is to place a cold compress on the area for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, for up to an hour. Not only will this help with the swelling, but it will also soothe any discomfort or aching. Keep in mind that these is a temporary solution to your pain and you will still need to visit an emergency dentist for treatment.
What does it mean if my teeth are sensitive?
Dental sensitivity is incredibly uncomfortable and occur for a variety of reasons. If you have a dental restoration, such as a filling or crown, that is leaking or damaged, it could cause a sharp pain whenever you consume anything that’s hot or cold. This could also occur due to enamel erosion, because this outermost layer of your teeth protects the sensitive dentin that lies underneath. Regardless of the cause of your dental sensitivity, it’s a good idea to contact your emergency dentist in Arcadia as soon as possible so they can diagnose the root of the problem and make sure that it isn’t serious and urgent. If it is, they’ll be able to quickly treat it before it causes any additional damage.
Should I wait to see if my toothache goes away on its own?
As much as you wish that your toothache will disappear on its own, the longer you wait to get oral emergencies like this treated, the worse they’ll typically get. That’s why we recommend visiting our office as soon as you notice any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms or signs. If you leave your toothache untreated for long enough, it may go away, but this is likely a result of the infection getting so bad that it killed the root of your tooth, requiring you to need an extraction.