Emergency Tooth Extraction
If you have an infected tooth, an oral injury, or a tooth abscess causing severe pain, you may be in need of an emergency tooth extraction. Even if you are not experiencing one of these emergencies, it is always good to be prepared for dental emergencies. Below is more information on emergency tooth extractions and what steps you can take in case you are experiencing a dental emergency.
Emergency Dental Services
Many people do not know where to go in case of a dental emergency. If this sounds like you, don’t be alarmed! A big first step in preparing for a dental emergency is having a list of places that provide emergency dental services. If you are looking for places to add to your list, consider:
* Your dentist: The next time you visit your provider you should ask if they provide emergency dental services.
* Recommendations: If your dentist does not offer emergency services, you should ask them for providers who do and create a list.
In Case of an Emergency – Don’t panic!
If you experience an oral emergency, don’t panic. The most important thing to remember is to not rush to the hospital emergency department. The only time you should go to the emergency department is if you are experiencing excessive bleeding or have a severe facial wound. Here are the steps you should take if you are experiencing a dental emergency:
1. Call your regular dentist’s office to see if they provide emergency services.
2. If it is normal business hours, your provider’s office can assist in assessing the injury over the phone and provide guidance on next steps.
3. If it is after business hours, stay on the line! Your provider’s voicemail may have a number to call in case of an emergency or instructions to follow.
Dental Emergencies that Require Tooth Extraction
Though rare, sometimes emergency dental extractions are necessary. Most dentists will do their best to avoid extracting any natural teeth. However, sometimes an extraction cannot be avoided. The following emergencies may result in an emergency extraction:
Impacted wisdom teeth. When wisdom teeth are trapped below the gumline they can cause infections to develop. Impacted wisdom teeth that have caused an infection should be removed immediately before the infection gets worse.
Infected teeth. If a decaying tooth is left untreated it can lead to a tooth infection. Infected teeth are painful, very dangerous, and if left untreated can result in an infection that can spread throughout the entire body. To prevent the infection from spreading into other teeth and into the gums, infected teeth should be extracted as soon as identified.
Oral accident. If an accident or injury occurs, an emergency dental procedure is not always needed. However, some accidents may need an emergency tooth extraction, for example a tooth that is cracked below the gum line will need to be extracted before it causes more damage.
Fortunately, emergency tooth extraction procedures are very similar to a routine extraction procedure. An emergency extraction can be performed quickly with very little pain and a speedy recovery.