When you are woken up by dental pain in the middle of the night, it can be tempting to simply take over the counter pain relief and try to go about your day.
Sadly, as is the way with most sudden dental discomfort, it is unlikely that this will resolve it long-term. In fact, the moment you notice any sudden throbbing, swelling or discolouration of your gums, you should book an appointment to see an emergency dental team.
While nobody wants to drive out to a 24-hour dental surgery for emergency treatment, in almost every case of a dental emergency, this is ideal for resolving the underlying problem. If you have a more serious issue, such as a dental infection, an emergency appointment can allow your dental team to control the infection until you are able to see your regular dental team.
But what are some of the reasons to get yourself to an emergency dentist as opposed to waiting until your next dental check-up?
Prevention
As mentioned earlier, there are many issues that can cause a dental emergency which also require follow-up treatment in order to successfully treat. So, the sooner you get the initial treatment started, the sooner the overall problem can be resolved and any secondary issues will be prevented.
If you are suffering from a dental infection and fail to get it treated, you may end up losing the tooth long-term.
Comfort
Many dental emergencies are uncomfortable and as such, a key reason to visit an emergency dentist near Coorparoo is to resolve any discomfort that you are feeling.
While some over the counter pain relief may alleviate the unpleasant sensations short-term, it is unlikely this will be the case with long-term delays to visiting your dentist. So, in order to ensure that the discomfort does not linger, book an emergency appointment as soon as that discomfort becomes too much.
Preservation
If you have recently suffered a blunt force trauma, you may have some cracked or chipped teeth.
While this may not seem like an issue when compared to a dental abscess, preventing having the tooth repaired can result in further damage occurring. And so, in order to preserve your teeth, it is wise to visit your dental team as soon as possible.
Infection control
Just like infections to the skin, dental infections can spread.
And, like infections to the skin, oral infections can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis. They may also cause swelling, which can damage the jaw and the roots of any surrounding teeth. So, by visiting an emergency dental team as soon as you notice the signs of infection, you can prevent the infection from spreading.
Aesthetics
Delaying treatment to a cracked tooth, or one that is missing a filling has the potential to impact on the appearance of your smile.
Therefore, in order to ensure that your smile remains as striking as it always has, book an emergency dental appointment when required.
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.