5 Common Myths About Root Canal Therapy, Debunked
Because of the misinformation surrounding root canal therapy, you might be anxious about this procedure. We correct five myths about root canals here. Keep reading to learn the truth.
Top 5 Reasons to Seek Emergency Dental Care
Whether you lost a tooth in a sports accident or you're suffering from terrible pain in your mouth, an emergency dental appointment may be just what you need. In such instances, Dr. Robert Scott Nance and his team of dental specialists in Statesville and Hickory, NC, are ready to help.
Emergency care — when do you need it?
When it comes to your teeth, any minor ache or pain may seem like an emergency. However, some dental issues can wait, while others require you to seek immediate care. Here are five reasons that you may need to make an emergency dental appointment at our office.
1. Broken or lost tooth
If you find yourself with a cracked or broken tooth that’s causing you a lot of pain, it's best to get emergency care as soon as possible to prevent further problems. If the tooth is knocked out completely, you should first try to put the tooth back in your mouth and hold it in place with a clean cloth; if that’s not possible, put the tooth in milk or your saliva and contact our office.
2. Severe toothache
Sometimes pain in your teeth or mouth is annoying but bearable. However, if the dental pain keeps you up at night or makes it impossible to eat, it's time for an emergency visit. Also, consider an emergency visit if the toothache is accompanied by a fever that can't be controlled with painkillers or swelling that you can't manage.
3. Facial swelling
If your tooth becomes infected, you may experience facial swelling due to an abscess in your tooth. If the swelling extends to your neck or eyes, you should seek immediate care to ensure your infection is treated quickly.
4. Dental trauma with bleeding
Any kind of trauma to your mouth that induces bleeding, whether it's from your gums or lips, should be addressed as soon as possible. This is especially true if the bleeding doesn't stop with constant pressure on the area of injury.
5. Bleeding after getting a tooth pulled
It's normal for the socket in your mouth to ooze a little bit of blood after you have a tooth pulled. But if you're having trouble controlling the bleeding after holding pressure on the spot for about 20 minutes, it constitutes an emergency trip to our office.
In some instances, you need to go to the emergency room instead of the dentist. If you experience dental trauma that includes a loss of consciousness, vomiting, or vision changes, head to the ER right away. Also, go to the ER if facial swelling interferes with your normal breathing or causes problems with your vision.
If you find yourself needing an emergency dental visit, call 704-246-3449 or the Hickory office at 828-232-8811.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How an Incision and Drainage Procedure Can Treat Your Abscessed Tooth
A dental abscess can form when you have a bacterial infection in your tooth, leading to pain, tooth sensitivity, and facial swelling. Learn how an incision and drainage procedure treats your abscessed tooth here.
Look Like a Jack-o-Lantern? Here’s How to Save Your Knocked-Out Tooth
If a knocked-out tooth has you looking like a jack-o-lantern, don’t wait to make an emergency trip to the dentist. We discuss the steps to take after having an adult tooth knocked out here.
How Can Revascularization for the Open Apex Help Restore My Tooth?
When you have an undeveloped tooth root, restoring it after an infection can be challenging. While filling the open tip with a dental sealant has been the traditional approach, revascularization offers a more natural solution. Read on to learn more.
Teeth Bleaching Failed and My Teeth Still Look Dark. What Are My Options?
Do you have a tooth that won’t respond to teeth whitening treatments? Intrinsic staining could be the culprit, which requires an endodontic treatment. Learn more about internal bleaching here.
I Cracked a Tooth. Can It Be Saved?
You may have a cracked tooth if you experience tooth pain when you chew or tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Fortunately, broken teeth can generally be saved and normal function restored. Find out how cracked teeth are treated.