No one plans to have dental issues—so when they pop up, you might not know if you should wait for an appointment or see your dentist immediately. If you are having a dental emergency, it’s important to get the care you need right away. Here are some cases that would warrant an immediate trip to your dentist.

Cracked Tooth

A tooth can become suddenly cracked or broken from biting something hard or from suffering a facial injury. When part of the tooth cracks or even breaks off, the nerves can become exposed, creating a lot of discomfort! You’ll want to see your dentist right away to determine if there is any nerve damage, and to have your tooth repaired. In the meantime, you should rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold pack to your cheek over the broken tooth.

Lost Tooth

Did you know your dentist can sometimes reattach a knocked-out tooth? This is why it’s very important to protect the tooth and get to your dentist as soon as possible. If the tooth isn’t broken, we recommended placing the tooth back in the socket; however, if you’re not a dentist, this is sometimes tough to do!  At the very least, keep the tooth moist by holding it under your tongue, in your cheek, or even in a glass of milk or water. Then get to the dentist ASAP to check for any damage, and see if reattachment is possible.

It’s not uncommon for children’s teeth to be knocked out due to a traumatic event. This is still a dental emergency, as the incident could have caused damage to the permanent tooth as well, so schedule an appointment with us for your child ASAP!

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess forms as a pocket of puss (gross, we know) due to a bacterial infection. It can appear and feel like a small bubble on your gums, and can be very painful. If left untreated, this infection can affect the surrounding tissue, tooth, and even jaw! You should contact your dentist as soon as you notice an abscess to receive immediate care.

It can be difficult to determine when you’re having an emergency, and when a condition can wait for an appointment. Any time you are experiencing pain that can’t be managed, you should see your dentist in Newnan, GA as soon as possible. When in doubt, give our office a call and we can give you some direction on what to do next.  At Schultz Family Dental, we understand that accidents and emergencies happen, and we’re here for you when they do!