Emergency Dentist in Rockledge

It may be difficult to determine when you need emergency dentistry, and it differs for everyone. No two people have the same level of pain tolerance, but there are some guidelines to what constitutes an emergency. The level of pain is only one of the factors that should be considered when determining if you have a dental emergency in Rockledge.

If you need emergency dentistry, call our Rockledge office, and we'll help you. If it's after hours and you can wait, leave a message, and we'll return your call as soon as we open. If your issue can't wait, then go to your closest emergency room. Usually, an ER has a dentist on call or on staff, depending on the size of the hospital, but it can be helpful to have an emergency preparedness list of phone numbers to call in an emergency. Not only will this get you treated more expeditiously, but it will alleviate some of your stress when you know whom to call.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency

Some dental emergencies are obvious, such as any of the following:

• Severe bleeding
• Severe swelling
• Sudden injury, especially to the face, head, jaw, or teeth

If you have any of these, you should go to the closest ER rather than to an emergency dentist because there may be a physical component that your dentist can't treat. In addition, you may have a life-threatening issue and should go directly to the nearest emergency room if the above symptoms are accompanied by:

• Chills
• Fever
• Difficulty with breathing or swallowing

Other issues, such as a cracked or broken tooth, or a lost or loose filling or crown, can be considered an emergency or not, depending on the circumstances.

Generally, if your issue can cause long-lasting dental or physical damage, you have an emergency. If you have any questions, call our office for help or go to the local emergency room. Remember, though, that it's better to treat an issue as an emergency even if it isn't, than to ignore an issue that is truly an emergency and should have been treated promptly. It's always better to err on the side of caution.

The following six problems are the ones we see most frequently:

1. Abscessed teeth
   Although we see many abscessed teeth, we shouldn't. Rarely does a tooth abscess in a day or two. It usually takes weeks, months, or even years of neglect for a tooth to escalate to this stage. If you have a diseased or infected tooth, address it immediately, so it doesn't develop into an abscess. Abscessed teeth can be a life-threatening condition because the bacteria and infection in your abscessed tooth can travel throughout your body and cause disease in your major organs. Get an infected or diseased tooth treated without delay so that it doesn't need emergency abscess treatment.
2. Broken tooth
   Teeth sometimes break. It can happen for several reasons, such as age, fragile tooth structure, trauma, or many other reasons. If you break a tooth, then you should call your emergency dentist without delay. If it's after hours, then go to your nearest emergency room. First, cover the jagged tooth edges with dental wax, so you don't cut or scrape the sensitive tissues inside your cheek, then call our Rockledge office for an emergency appointment. Although we'll see you as soon as possible, it may be the following day. This type of situation is urgent but may be able to wait a few hours for treatment.
3. Knocked-out tooth
   We often see knocked-out teeth among young children, teens, and active adults, but they can happen to anyone of any age. If one or more of your teeth get knocked out, rinse well under warm water, replace it in the socket or sockets, and hold by the crown only. Then call our Rockledge office, and we'll see you as soon as possible. If it's after hours, then go directly to the local emergency room. If a knocked-out tooth is treated promptly, it can often be reattached so that you won't need an artificial tooth, so don't wait.
4. Lost or loose crown or filling
   A lost crown or filling should be addressed promptly, although it may not always be an emergency. However, you need to replace it promptly so that the inside of the tooth doesn't get contaminated and allow infection to start. If you have a loosened crown or filling, then call us for an appointment. We can re-cement a loose crown or filling, or we can replace it. If it's not treated, however, it can fall out, and you'll need to replace it anyway. If you have a lost or loose crown or filling, call us for an appointment.
5. Orthodontic device causing pain
   If you have an orthodontic appliance, you shouldn't be in pain. If you're in pain, there's a problem, and you should call our Rockledge office during regular business hours. If your appliance is causing pain, your appliance isn't working correctly. This is especially true for braces. If you're in severe pain, let us know, or go to your local emergency room if it's after hours.
6. Severe toothache or pressure
   If your severe toothache or pressure suddenly appeared, go to your local emergency room immediately because there may be a physical problem. Most ERs have a dentist on call who can treat your issue. However, if it has a physical component, you may need medical care that your dentist can't provide. This is an emergency.

What If My Only Symptom Is Pain?

Pain is your body's way of notifying you that there's a problem. Also, pain is subjective because everyone has a different pain tolerance level. If you have pain, call our Rockledge office during regular business hours, and we'll determine if you have an emergency or if it can wait until the following day. We try to see emergencies on the same day they call, so if you have an emergency, be assured that we'll see you as soon as possible.

Is It Better to Go Directly to the Emergency Room?

If your issue has a physical component, it may be treated more quickly by going to the ER. However, if your issue is primarily dental, we recommend going to your emergency Rockledge dentist during regular business hours.

Avoid Emergencies By Being Proactive With Your Dental Health

Many dental emergencies can be avoided through a regimen of good oral hygiene that includes regular exams and dental cleanings. Your dentist can spot issues before they escalate, so make sure your oral hygiene regimen includes regular dental visits.

How Do I Locate an Emergency Dentist in Rockledge?

If you need to locate an emergency dentist in Rockledge, then call Rockledge Dental at (321) 252-0825, and we'll help you.