Dental emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. They do, however, generally have one thing in common. More often than not, a tooth injury or other oral health issue requiring emergency dental care in New Orleans will usually send you some warning signs. Sadly, these warning signs often involve distractingly severe pain.
This is why it’s crucial to know beforehand how to spot a dental emergency, what to do when one strikes, and how to quickly contact your trusted New Orleans emergency dentist.
Common Types of Dental Emergencies
To quickly and effectively address a dental emergency, it helps to know what it actually looks like. This, of course, means having a keen eye for symptoms as they pop up. Here are a half-dozen surefire signs of common dental emergencies:
- Severe and unrelenting toothache
- Periodontal (gum) bleeding for no apparent reason
- Swelling of the gums or the jawbone
- A collection of pus in the gum surrounding a tooth (or “dental abscess”)
- Loose or broken dental crown(s)
- Loss of a permanent tooth, whether as a result of trauma or decay
What To Do in a Dental Emergency
If you run into any of the scenarios above, you’re almost certainly dealing with a dental emergency. In these moments, it’s vital to act quickly to relieve pain and prevent long-term damage.
- Sudden, persistent, and unbearable tooth pain that doesn’t respond to home remedies needs immediate care.
- Swelling of the jaw, with or without pain, can signal a serious infection and should be addressed right away.
- Unexplained periodontal swelling or bleeding may also point to an infection or abscess.
- Adult tooth loss. Losing a permanent tooth always requires urgent attention. Quick action may save it:
- Without touching the root, pick up the tooth
- Without scrubbing, rinse it
- Reinsert it in the socket if possible; otherwise, place it in milk
- Get to the dentist ASAP!
Effective, Empathetic Emergency Dental Care in New Orleans
If you’re in New Orleans and in need of urgent dental treatment right now or simply want to be prepared for any unexpected dental emergencies, Dr. Richard Rathke and the excellent Downtown Dental team are here to deliver the top-quality care when you need it!