What Can Cause a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies are situations that require immediate treatment. They threaten to cause further significant damage if not addressed right away. They can happen for various reasons, ranging from traumatic injuries to urgent oral health concerns that require professional care. In some cases, you may not even realize that you have a dental emergency in Marco Island until it's too late. That is why it's important to know what can cause it to act accordingly when it happens.

Common Causes of Dental Emergencies

Decay

Decay is the most common cause of dental emergencies. If your teeth are decaying quickly, you will experience pain. You may also see yellowish-orange or brownish-red discoloration of your gums.  

Eating

Sometimes, eating certain foods can damage your teeth or lead to tooth pain. Foods that may damage your teeth include certain kinds of candy or hard nuts. Chewing ice may also cause your teeth to chip or crack, which can hurt when not given immediate care.    

Accidents

If you have a sudden accident or injury to your mouth, you can develop an urgent dental emergency. A broken tooth, for example, can create a condition called a "laceration." It happens when your enamel, the calcified front part of the tooth that keeps it strong, gets pushed away from the crown of the tooth, leaving a "hole."  

The hole in your enamel will not heal and can become the target of harmful bacteria, leading to serious infection. Additionally, trauma to the mouth may cause a tooth to loosen or even get knocked out, which requires immediate attention from your dentist.  

Do You Have a Dental Emergency in Marco Island?

The best way to handle a dental emergency is to contact your emergency dentist as soon as possible. Call us today at Island Paradise Dental to learn more. We’re happy to help!