Dental Emergency
 A dental emergency can be a frustrating, painful event, and we can help. We have made it a priority to leave room in our daily schedule to better assist our patients in the event of a dental emergency. Our staff at Medhat Dental Excellence does not want our patients to experience the discomfort of tooth pain if we can help.
Some problems may require immediate medical assistance, and in this situation, we want you to seek the nearest help. Seek immediate help when:
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You have ignored symptoms of infection until the problem seems severe: A tooth abscess that a patient has ignored or allowed to remain, could necessitate a trip to the emergency room. An abscess is a bacterial infection, and if left untreated it can become incredibly dangerous. The infection can spread to your jaw, neck, and even your brain, in some cases a patient can develop sepsis, which is life-threatening. Do not ignore the signs of an abscess. |
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Uncontrolled Bleeding: If you are experiencing abnormal, or unusual amounts of bleeding, seek immediate medical attention from the nearest hospital facility. Some level of bleeding following oral surgery is normal, an unusual amount of bleeding, including bleeding that does not seem to be stopping, or has continued for more than 30 minutes may be an indication of a larger problem. We ask that patients err on the side of caution. |
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Fever or Swelling: Running a fever or unusual swelling can be a sign of infection or a larger problem. Following oral surgery, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms outside of what was explained to you like a post-op symptom, please seek medical help. |
Dental Emergency Tips
The most common dental emergencies we see are listed below, along with tips and suggestions to help before you can be seen. These include:
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Tooth Pain: Tooth pain is a common problem, and may be an indication of decay or a cavity. We would like to see you for examination to determine the problem. Before your appointment, you can attempt the several steps. Try brushing and flossing the area thoroughly. Food or plaque may be irritating the dentin of your tooth, try to remove any stuck material. Next, some patients find relief in gargling and spitting warm salt water, this will reduce swelling and flush irritants. Finally, patients can take an over the counter pain reliever to provide temporary relief. |
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Fractured or Broken Tooth: A fractured or broken tooth can be very distressing and often painful. We will want to see you to restore the tooth. Before your appointment, you can find relief from over the counter pain relievers, avoiding using the tooth or allowing cold drinks to make contact with the tooth. In some situations, patients have found that the purchase and application of a temporary tooth filler that can be purchased at a local drug store to be highly effective. |
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