Emergency dental work can be needed when you experience tooth pain, lose a crown or filling, have unexplained bleeding in your mouth, or an abscess. Fortunately, there are local dentists that provide emergency services.

Leaving a gap in your smile can lead to further damage, pain, and even misalignment of your bite. Therefore, it’s important to call an emergency dental work Fayetteville AR as soon as possible.

Knocked Out Tooth

Getting your tooth knocked out (also known as an avulsed tooth) is one of the worst dental emergencies you can experience. While many people think that a knocked out tooth is lost forever, this is not always the case. As long as the injury is addressed immediately, a knocked out tooth can often be saved and re-implanted in its socket.

The first step in addressing a knocked out tooth is to find the tooth. Ideally, this should be done within about 30 minutes of the injury and before it becomes difficult to locate. Once it is found, rinse it gently but do not scrub the root. Then place the tooth back into its socket, holding it in by its crown rather than its root to avoid damaging ligaments.

The next step is to call your dentist right away. They should be able to schedule an emergency appointment for you to come in and assess the situation.

Root Canal

A root canal treatment is a dental procedure that saves damaged or badly decayed teeth. The procedure involves removing the dead or dying nerve tissue from inside the tooth, cleaning and sealing it. This prevents bacteria from forming an abscess and causing further damage to the tooth.

You might need a root canal when the soft tissue inside your tooth (pulp) gets infected. This happens when deep decay reaches down to the pulp, or when a crack or chip exposes the root to bacteria. Without immediate treatment, a root canal infection can spread to your gums and other parts of your body, resulting in serious health problems.

Your dentist will put numbing medicine on the affected tooth and surrounding gums to protect you from pain. Then they’ll use a drill to open the top part of your tooth and access the infected pulp. They’ll remove the infected material, clean and disinfect the area, and fill and seal the tooth with gutta-percha, a rubber-like material.

Broken Dentures

Although dentures are sturdy and can withstand a great deal of pressure, they are still susceptible to breaking. This can occur due to many factors, including blunt impact, consuming hot or cold items, eating hard foods and harsh cleaning through abrasive toothpaste. Regardless of the cause, it is always best to avoid short-term fixes like super glues and instead seek out an emergency dental work Fayetteville AR appointment with your dentist.

To fix broken dentures, first, clean the area and make sure that the dentures are free of food bits and residue. Mix denture adhesive according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then apply a small amount of it to the cracked pieces of the denture. Make sure that the area is fully covered, and then press firmly for a few seconds to ensure that it sticks well.

Once the dentures are repaired, rinse them thoroughly and then wash your hands to remove any residual adhesive. This will help you to be able to comfortably continue using your dentures as normal.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums can often be a sign of an underlying problem. Most commonly, they are caused by plaque, a sticky substance full of bacteria, that builds up and irritates the gum line. This causes gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and if left untreated can progress to periodontitis. Poor brushing, injury to the mouth or gums, hormone changes like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can also cause bleeding gums.

One of the best ways to prevent this is to bolster your oral hygiene routine by brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing every day. Regular dental cleanings with a hygienist can also help control and reduce plaque buildup. In addition, it’s important to schedule and keep your appointments so your dentist can spot problems and treat them before they worsen. This will help save you the hassle and expense of dealing with more serious dental problems down the road.