When Should You Visit Your Emergency Dentist in Tarrytown NY?
You should only see your emergency dentist in Tarrytown NY in an actual dental emergency. When is your situation considered an emergency? Find out here.
Severe periodontal (gum) disease is the 11th most prevalent disease in the world. In some cases, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss if left unattended. If you're in pain, you need to visit your emergency dentist in Tarrytown, NY right away.
Aching gums and teeth are only two common types of dental emergencies, though.
Not sure when you should see your emergency dentist? Here are nine cases when you shouldn't wait to ask for help. If you develop one of these dental problems, visit your emergency dentist right away.
Keep reading to discover the top types of dental emergencies today.
1. Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess can form when bacteria cause a pocket of pus to build. In time, the abscess could reach the top of the tooth's root. In these cases, you've developed a periapical abscess.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for leaving dental abscesses untreated isn't ideal. In fact, your mortality rate could increase to 40% if you develop mediastinitis. Your airway could become compromised, too.
You'll need intubation as a result.
The infection could continue to spread as well. If the infection reaches your brain, your mortality rate can increase.
A periapical tooth abscess can form if you don't treat a dental cavity right away. Poor dental hygiene (not brushing, flossing, or scheduling cleanings) can cause an abscess, too.
Developing a dry mouth due to aging and certain medications can increase your risk. A high-sugar diet (which can lead to cavities) is a common cause as well.
If you think you're at risk of developing an abscess, speak with your dentist. They can help you develop a dental plan to reduce your risk.
Otherwise, a tooth abscess can become painful when left untreated. Symptoms include:
- Sensitivity when chewing
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Facial swelling
- A foul, salty taste in the mouth
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes
- Sensitivity to cold or hot foods and beverages
- A severe, throbbing toothache
- Fever
If you start experiencing these symptoms, visit your emergency dentist in Tarrytown, NY. They can assess your oral health. They might recommend draining the abscess to clear the infection.
Otherwise, they might recommend a root canal as a form of treatment.
2. Toothache
A small toothache might not seem like a big deal until you start experiencing severe pain. Don't wait for that to happen. A toothache could indicate a bigger problem, including:
- Exposed roots
- Dry socket
- Infections
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Dental cavities
The pain might feel sharp and sudden or dull and constant.
Injuries, infections, and decay are all common causes of toothaches. Toothaches develop when the tooth's root becomes irritated. As bacteria in your mouth spreads, you could develop gum disease or dental decay as well.
Inflammation can irritate the central portion of the tooth (pulp) as a result.
If you have a toothache, you might experience:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages
- Swollen glands
- Fever
- Bad breath
- Swelling around a tooth
- Swelling of the jaw
- Injury or trauma to the area
- Bleeding or discharge around the tooth or gums
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Pain when chewing
- Headaches
Don't wait to contact an emergency dentist if you experience these symptoms.
Usually, you can avoid developing a toothache with proper oral hygiene. Make sure to have your teeth professionally cleaned every six months, too.
You can also request your dentist use fluoride and sealants to further protect your teeth.
3. Knocked Out Tooth
A sporting injury or car accident could knock out a tooth. Sometimes, you can have the tooth placed back in without a dental implant. Make sure to save the tooth.
Pick it up by the crown, not root. Then, rinse the tooth with water. Don't use soap.
Place the tooth in milk until you can visit your emergency dentist. Make sure to call them as soon as possible.
4. Broken/Chipped Tooth
An accident could also cause you to break, chip, or crack a tooth.
First, make sure to save the pieces. Rinse your mouth and the piece with warm water. If you experience pain, press a cold compress against your face.
If you experience bleeding, let your dentist know.
5. Facial Swelling
If you develop an infection, your immune system will respond with inflammation. You could experience swelling around the gums and cheeks as a result.
Visit your emergency dentist right away. Inflammation could spread otherwise.
6. Gum Abscess
Pus can develop on the gums, forming a gum abscess. You could experience severe oral pain. A gum abscess can cause serious health complications, too.
An abscess forms when there's an infection between your gums and teeth. The bacteria can build, weakening your immune system.
Symptoms include:
- Pus discharge
- Fever
- A loose tooth
- Pain when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages
- A bad taste in your mouth
If these symptoms sound familiar, visit your emergency dentist in Tarrytown, NY. They can order an X-ray to check for periodontal disease or infection.
7. Damaged Braces
If your braces are damaged, make sure to call your orthodontist. For example, you might have a:
- Loose band
- Broken wire from a bracket
- Wire poking out
You don't want a loose wire to scratch the inside of your mouth. Cover it with a cotton ball until you can visit your dentist.
8. Bleeding Mouth
If you have bleeding gums, it could indicate bacteria or inflammation. It might mean you have food particles trapped under your gums, too.
Apply a cold compress and rinse your mouth out with salt water until you can see your dentist.
9. Lost Crown/Filling
Try not to swallow your crown if it falls out. If a crown or filling falls loose, it could indicate tooth decay.
Talk with your emergency dentist. They can put the crown back into place or suggest another option.
Dental 911: 9 Reasons to Visit Your Emergency Dentist in Tarrytown, NY
If one or more of these situations sound familiar, don't wait to call for help. Schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist in Tarrytown, NY right away. Responding quickly can benefit your oral health.
Need help right away? We're here for you.
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Dr. Rohit Z Patel
D.D.S
After graduating at the top of his class, Dr. Patel continued his postgraduate studies in endodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York. He was appointed to assistant clinical professor of dentistry at Columbia University and later moved on to teach at the Montefiore Medical Center’s Department of Dentistry. Westchester Magazine recognized Dr. Patel as a “Top Dentist for 2012.”
Dr. Yung Kim
D.D.S
Dr. Yung Kim is a double board certified Periodontist and board certified Prosthodontist, educated to treat many extremely complex disorders involving gum disease, tooth decay, and oral pathology. His focus is on full-mouth, complex, surgical, and reconstructive dentistry. He has extensive knowledge of implant dentistry and advanced surgical procedures, specializing in teeth in a day and All-on-Four implants. He is also Invisalign certified and experienced with CAD/CAM restorations and dentures.
Dr. Brendan Gallagher
D.D.S
Dr. Brendan Gallagher is dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and reliable surgical care while keeping communication clear and timely with referring offices. He values building strong partnerships with colleagues to ensure the very best care for patients. Outside of practice, Dr. Gallagher enjoys mentoring upcoming dentists through social media and podcasting. He also enjoys running, trying new craft beers and spending time with friends and family. You can find Dr. Gallagher at our Brewster, Tarrytown and Mount Vernon locations.
Dr. Santvana Vyas
D.D.S
Dr Vyas attended NYU College of Dentistry and earned DDS in 2016 at the top of her class. She was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the national dental honor society and earned Outstanding Achievement Award in study of Prosthodontics.
Dr Vyas is an active member of American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) and American Dental Association (ADA). She is appointed as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry. She is married and is blessed with two sons.
Dr. Gianna DeMase
D.D.S
Dr. DeMase received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University where she double-majored in Biology and Spanish. She then earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry where she graduated with honors in periodontics. After dental school, Dr. DeMase completed a General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center, a level one trauma hospital. Here, she participated in community outreach in the women’s health clinic and taught medical students how to do oral exams. She also worked with special needs patients in Jacobi’s Rose F. Kennedy Center. Dr. DeMase remains committed to being active in the community.
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Dr. DeMase has experience in cavity restoration, endodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, and prosthodontics including implant restorations.
She highly values patient education and always ensures your comfort and understanding of the treatment. She strongly believes in patient centered care and therefore tailors each treatment plan to you and your needs. As a member of the American Dental Association, Dr. DeMase is always aware of the latest studies and developments in the dental field and strives to apply them to her practice. In her spare time, she can usually be found with a book in her hands.
