A dental emergency is a sudden or severe oral injury or condition that requires prompt treatment. It can include anything from a minor toothache to a broken tooth. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, it is important to receive treatment as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can reduce the risk of permanent damage, infection, or tooth loss.

Here are the most common ones:

Toothache

A toothache is one of the worst types of pain, and it often occurs unexpectedly and without any warning. Often, the pain and discomfort can be so intense that you can't eat or sleep. You may have difficulties eating or drinking due to the pain. If the tooth is too sensitive or sore to eat or drink with, you should refrain from doing so until you can get in to see the dentist Montebello Los Angeles, CA. Once the issue has been addressed, you should be able to eat and normally drink again.

If you are experiencing a toothache, contact your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you call, the sooner you can find a solution for your discomfort and pain. If your toothache stems from an infection, then you will need antibiotics to fight off the infection before it gets worse and causes more harm. Without treatment, the infection could spread to other parts of the body and become serious. Regularly scheduled cleanings and exams can help prevent infections from forming in the first place.

Damaged or Knocked-out Tooth

No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. If you or your child hits a tooth on something hard, it could chip or break. If part of the tooth is broken off, make an appointment with the dentist Montebello Los Angeles, CA right away. A broken tooth can bleed and cause pain. Until you can be seen by a dentist, rinse the mouth with warm water and apply pressure to control bleeding. If you are able to see the dentist Montebello Los Angeles, CA, within an hour of the injury, it may be possible to save the tooth using a procedure called bonding. Without prompt treatment, your tooth may need to be removed.

Chipped or Fractured Tooth

A chipped tooth or fractured tooth happens when the tooth is struck, such as during an accident, by a hard object, or by biting down on something too hard. These injuries are extremely common and should be addressed as soon as possible. While small chips and fractures may not need immediate treatment, they should still be examined by the dentist Montebello Los Angeles, CA to avoid further damage. Larger chips and fractures may require a dental crown, which requires at least two visits to the dental office.

Avoid chewing on hard items such as ice and hard candies. Avoid opening packages with your teeth as well. If a tooth hits the package the wrong way, it can chip or fracture the tooth.

Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth is a very serious dental emergency that requires immediate treatment to avoid further damage and the spread of infection to neighboring teeth or other parts of the body. If left untreated, an abscess can threaten the health of the mouth and lead to the need for tooth extraction. To help avoid the development of abscesses, practice good dental hygiene and schedule regular checkups with the dentist Montebello Los Angeles, CA.

A tooth can become abscessed if bacteria gain access to the pulp chamber through deep tooth decay or a chip or crack in the tooth. Once this occurs, the bacteria can spread throughout the root canals and eventually cause an infection. In some cases, the patient may not be aware of the pain caused by an abscess until the condition has progressed considerably. Some of the symptoms that should alert you to the problem include facial swelling, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and severe pain associated with an abscessed tooth. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact the dentist Montebello Los Angeles, CA, as soon as possible for treatment. Otherwise, the infection is likely to spread and cause further problems over time.

In case of any dental emergency, get in touch with Dr. David Hakham, Dentist Montebello Los Angeles, CA, at 6451 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles 90022, or call (323)728-0241.