Emergency dental care from your Bloomington dentist resolves a number of different issues

When we think of our smile, we tend to give most attention to our teeth. Our teeth, however, are just one overall part of the oral anatomy. Sometimes, emergency dental care is needed to address an injury to soft tissue such as the cheek, lips, or gums. Most often, however, we see patients in our Bloomington practice for a problem related to a tooth or existing restoration.

Tooth damage may occur for a number of reasons, and is important to address. We encourage our patients to maintain visits every six months, at least, understanding that each individual is different and may need to visit more often based on specific need. We discuss ways to prevent dental emergencies related to teeth through oral hygiene and prompt care when needed.

• Toothaches. One of the best ways to prevent dental emergencies in teeth is to schedule a dental visit right away if pain occurs. Even sensitivity can be indicative of a dental problem such as a growing cavity, and should be evaluated.
• Lost filling. Fillings are placed into teeth that have been damaged by cavities. If a filling is lost, it must be replaced right away in order to prevent further damage from oral bacteria. Contacting our office right away, we can advise you on how to protect the uncovered tooth until care can be received.
• Lost crown. In the event of a lost crown, patients are encouraged to visit us as soon as possible. A crown is necessary to protect a fragile tooth from fracture when force is applied. Without the crown, the tooth is susceptible to damage when you chew.
• Abscess. An abscess may occur between a tooth and gum tissue or around a tooth root. This infection is quite serious, with the potential to spread to surrounding teeth and even into the bloodstream, affecting other parts of the body.

Remedies for many common dental problems can be easily found. It is important to note that home remedies are intended to relieve pain until you can see your dentist. Steps such as rinsing the mouth with warm salty water or relieving pain with over the counter medications are no substitution for professional care. Your dentist offers gentle, effective care for problems like those mentioned here.

Don’t let pain go untreated. Contact Eastland Dental Center right away if you experience a toothache or other oral symptoms.