You could be having the greatest, most complaint-free day of your life, but nothing will bring you down and ruin that moment quicker than a dental emergency. It’s a harsh reality, but a reality nonetheless.
Trust us, we’ve all been there – and we’ve all done that.
In fact, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), more than two million people in the United States visit a hospital emergency department (ED) for nontraumatic dental problems every single year.
That’s two million too many, but don’t worry – that’s where we come into play.
Here at Healthy Smiles, we take pride in serving the Staten Island community with quality, best-in-class walk-in emergency dental care services – whether you have a giant toothache, nasty infection, or unknown issue.
Like Batman in Gotham City – we’re there when you need us the most.
Dental emergencies are never fun and we would never wish them upon anyone, but they do happen – and they often come with little-to-no warning. That said, not all dental emergencies are life-threatening.
So, what exactly is a dental emergency?
According to the ADA, a dental emergency is a collection of potentially life-threatening diagnoses that require immediate treatment to stop bleeding, remedy the infection, and/or alleviate severe dental pain.
While some are more complex than others, most dental emergencies fall into one of three categories – traumatic, infectious, and post-procedural – depending on the nature and severity of the issue at hand.
Don’t worry – we’ll explain the differences of each etiology below!
Traumatic dental emergencies are injuries involving physical damage to the teeth, gums, or surrounding tissues that occur suddenly as a result of falls, sports injuries, traffic accidents, and physical violence.
Here are some of the most common examples of a traumatic dental emergency:
While all traumatic dental emergencies are sustained via similar mechanisms of injury, they present with unique findings during a physical exam and are managed differently. If not managed at all, a traumatic dental emergency will worsen and the site of injury will become a breeding ground for bacterial growth.
Infectious dental emergencies are infections caused by harmful bacteria that find their way into previously sterile oral and spaces. Infections often begin with dental caries, also known as cavities or tooth decay.
Here are some of the most common examples of an infectious dental emergency:
Infections are almost always localized and treatable in their early stages, but if not managed in a timely manner, they can spread into the deep spaces of the neck, mediastinum, facial sinuses, and/or brain. Over time, the infection can compromise the patient’s airways – which can be life-threatening.
Post-procedural dental emergencies are complications that arise after a medical or dental procedure – such as surgery. The two most common types include post-extraction bleeding and alveolar osteitis.
Let’s take a look at the difference between the two:
Most post-procedural dental emergencies can be avoided by following the aftercare instructions your doctor gives you after the operation, but it’s important to know that complications can still arise.
Dental emergencies are no laughing matter. The pain alone is enough to send anyone into a full-on panic, and the thought of having to wait for treatment can be overwhelming – even if it’s only for a few hours.
Unfortunately, that’s the reality many patients are faced with when tragedy strikes.
While most dentists in the Staten Island area – including Dr. Joseph Cipriano at Healthy Smiles – offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies, patients don’t necessarily have to wait for treatment.
In fact, there are several DIY remedies that could provide the instant relief patients are looking for:
Keep in mind that these remedies aren’t a permanent fix and aren’t meant to replace an appointment with your dentist. Instead, these remedies are more of a temporary fix while you wait for your appointment.
Temporary remedies for dental pain can be effective for short-term comfort, but these at-home measures don’t always guarantee relief and are designed to manage symptoms – not treat the underlying cause.
At a certain point, a trip to the dentist isn’t just recommended – it’s mandatory.
But don’t worry – that’s what we’re here for.
At Healthy Smiles, we understand that time is of the essence. The longer you go without a proper and professional evaluation, the harder it is to deal with the pain and discomfort that comes as a result.
With our emergency dental care, your teeth are in good hands!
Whenever a dental emergency occurs – day or night – don’t hesitate to contact us at (718) 948-1600 or fill out the emergency contact form below. Same-day walk-in appointments are available for those who need it.
