As humans, our teeth are meant to last us our entire lifetimes. For this to be achieved, they must be incredibly strong and durable. The powerful human jaw exerts immense amounts of pressure with each bite, and our teeth must be able to withstand this pressure. Considering how many times we chew during any given meal, let alone during our entire lifespan, it is pretty impressive what our teeth are capable of handling. However, despite their strength, they are still vulnerable to damage and injury. These situations can occur for any number of reasons, from chewing an unexpected piece of bone to knocking your tooth with a coffee mug to being struck by a hockey puck. The potential situations are endless, but the result is the same: a dental emergency.
Dental emergencies are often painful, and they can cause great stress for you and those around you. Fortunately, the right dentist’s office will leave time in their schedule for same-day emergency appointments and provide after-hours appointments should the emergency occur after they have closed. Ideally, this dentist will also be able to treat a wide range of complications, however, if you are experiencing intolerable pain or a high volume of blood loss, it is recommended you dial 911.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies come in many forms, including:
- Teeth cracking or breaking
- Permanent teeth falling out unexpectedly
- Oral infections
- Bleeding from the teeth
- Severe and painful decay
- Damaged fillings
- Complications with crowns, bridges or veneers
- Pain or damage caused by mouth/jaw trauma
This is not a comprehensive list and you should trust your instincts and senses. If you feel that you are experiencing a dental emergency, do not hesitate to contact an emergency dentist.
What Should I Do in a Dental Emergency?
First and foremost, it is important to remain as calm as possible so that you can address the situation appropriately. Again, if you are experiencing extreme blood loss or unbearable pain, dial 911 . Otherwise, a dentist offering emergency appointments is a safer bet. Dialing 911 may precipitate an ambulance ride or emergency room visit, both of which can be very costly. What’s more, a dentist will be much better equipped to treat complications with teeth or in the mouth than would an emergency room doctor.
If you or someone nearby are able, call your dentist’s office. If they are open, ask if they have any same-day emergency appointments available. If they are closed, listen closely to determine whether they provide an emergency after-hours phone number.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency in Broomfield, call Petersen Family Dentistry at (720) 308–9798 . Generally, we are able to see and treat patients with dental emergencies, but if for some reason this is not the case, we will refer them to a trusted specialist.
At Petersen Family Dentistry, we are pleased to offer care and peace of mind to our patients in the form of our emergency dental services. Our emergency dentist Dr. Petersen and our expert team have years of experience addressing these issues, and we’re here for you if you should encounter one of them.
