Emergency Dentist 24/7 Ocoee, FL

Experiencing a dental emergency can be a jolting experience, whether it happens unexpectedly or creeps up over time. Moreover, just like any medical emergency, a dental emergency should be promptly treated to avoid serious complications in the future. If you are in the Ocoee, Florida area, Emergency Dental Service can help you locate a dentist to treat your emergency dental needs.

Imagine you are playing a sport and are unexpectedly struck in the mouth, causing your tooth to get dislodged. Luckily, you do not have to wait until Monday to get your tooth repaired. There are dentists open on Saturdays and Sundays who can treat you so that you are able to walk into the week with a confident smile.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

Although an emergency dental office looks similar to a regular dental office, there are key differences between a dental emergency and a non-emergency. A dental emergency, for example, can be life-threatening if not treated immediately, while other dental services may be held off until you can schedule an appointment. The following are examples of dental issues that require immediate treatment:

• Throbbing toothache that doesn’t subside with medication
• Severely swollen gums
• Having a cracked, broken, or chipped tooth or teeth
• Losing a permanent tooth
• Experiencing a jaw or mouth injury, such as a laceration
• Damaged root canals
• Soft tissue injuries
• Excessive bleeding
• A lost cavity filling or lost sealant
• Denture or dental implant issues

Typically, you will know of a dental emergency because you will likely be in serious pain. However, not all dental issues are emergencies. For example, dull pain or having an item stuck in between your teeth can be treated at home or can wait until a scheduled appointment.

What Is the Most Severe Dental Emergency?

There are many dental issues that are severe and cannot wait for convenience, such as a completely dislodged tooth. However, one of the most severe dental emergencies is an abscess that causes a serious infection called cellulitis. Left untreated, this infection can spread to other soft tissue in the face and neck, potentially compromising your airway. If this happens to you, and if you contract a fever in addition to these symptoms, it is critical to seek immediate treatment.

How Are Dental Emergencies Caused?

If you find yourself having a dental emergency on the weekend, you may be wondering how it happened. Most dental emergencies occur unexpectedly, such as a trauma from a slip and fall accident, auto accident, work accident, or a sports injury. Oftentimes, these accidents can lead to a dislodged tooth or a tooth avulsion, which is when the tooth is completely knocked out of the socket.

Other dental emergencies arise from post-procedural or restorative complications, such as a dental cap coming off unexpectedly or dentures or implants breaking. A severe toothache can also come out of nowhere, leading to an unexpected dental emergency, as can an erupted wisdom tooth that causes severe pain.

However, in other cases, dental emergencies may occur because of neglected oral health. Examples include untreated gum disease, cavities, toothache, or an untreated abscess. In other instances, certain medical conditions can cause dental emergencies such as diabetes, kidney disease, or even the hormonal changes common in pregnancy.

Consequences of Avoiding Treatment

No one wants to spend their weekend at the dentist's office if they have an oral emergency. It is very tempting to endure the pain and wait until you can see your regular dentist. While this thinking may be common, it is a mistake.

You should treat a dental emergency the same way you would a medical emergency. You wouldn’t wait to go to the doctor if you broke a limb, so you shouldn’t wait if you break a tooth. Here are some consequences you could experience if you avoid a weekend dental emergency:

• Infection. Developing an infection is probably the worst dental emergency you can experience. Not only are they incredibly painful, but they can also spread and be life-threatening if you wait to get them treated.
• Severe pain. That unrelenting toothache will not just go away on its own. Usually, a toothache is a sign of a deeper issue, and the pain will not subside unless you get the underlying issue treated. You do not have to remain in pain just because it is the weekend. Instead, you should contact a weekend dentist.
• Permanent tooth loss. If you act quickly, your dentist may be able to save a problem tooth from an injury, accident, or oral health condition. However, if you wait to treat certain dental issues, you could experience bone and tissue damage that leads to permanent tooth loss.
• Bone and tissue damage. Similar to permanent tooth loss, putting off emergency dental treatment may cause bone and tissue damage that is difficult to reverse or causes long-term damage.
• Social isolation. Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. If you have a missing or broken tooth, this can lead to a dip in your confidence, leading to social isolation. You may not want to smile or even be seen in public with your tooth, dentures, or implants missing.

Ways to Prevent a Dental Emergency

Some dental emergencies are unavoidable. For instance, you can not anticipate an accident that leads to a mouth injury. There are some emergencies, however, that can be prevented with at-home care and lifestyle changes. Your oral health should be taken just as seriously as your other healthcare needs, and here are ways you may be able to prevent dental emergencies in the future.

Brush and Floss Daily

You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly, especially after each meal. This prevents plaque buildup that can lead to cavities and gum disease. Moreover, be sure to change your toothbrush regularly so it maintains its effectiveness.

See Your Dentist Yearly

It is important to schedule yearly check-ups with your dentist, and children should visit the dentist every 6 months. Not only will you get your teeth cleaned thoroughly at your visit, but your dentist may be able to catch dental issues before they become serious emergencies. For instance, a cavity filling at a dental visit is better than an emergency root canal later on.

Reduce Sugar Intake

A healthy, balanced diet with limited or no sugar can go a long way in maintaining optimal dental health. The acid that comes from sugar can wear down your tooth enamel, leading to cavities and decay.

Wear Protective Gear

If you are engaging in sports or high-impact activities, be sure to always wear protective gear. It is too easy to be struck in the mouth accidentally while playing a game of sports or even riding a bike. Wearing a mouth guard or a helmet provides an extra layer of protection that helps avoid these injuries.

Services Provided at Ocoee, FL Contemporary Dental Care

Emergency Dental Service can help you find a Saturday or Sunday dentist who can help you with a range of dental issues. Patients may come in for simple to serious procedures, receiving the same level of quality care. Here are some of the most common emergency dental services our weekend dentists provide.

• Tooth extraction. Most dentists will try doing everything in their power to save your tooth if it is problematic. However, sometimes it simply needs to be extracted. Leaving a seriously decayed or broken tooth in your mouth can lead to further damage, such as infection or bone loss.
• Broken or fractured tooth. If your tooth gets broken on the weekend, you do not have to wait until Monday to get it fixed. A broken or chipped tooth not only impacts your smile but it can cause oral issues. If possible, you should try to preserve the broken tooth so that you can use it for the repair.
• An abscess is a serious infection in your tooth. Your dentist will determine the best way to attack the abscess at your appointment. They may decide to incise and drain the abscess, perform a root canal, or remove the impacted tooth completely.
• Dental restoration repairs. If you have dentures, implants, or crowns that become damaged or broken, you do not need to wait to get them fixed. Because dentures and implants imitate natural teeth, they play an important role in everyday activities, such as eating, chewing, and even speaking correctly. Luckily, you can visit a dentist with Saturday hours or Sunday hours to repair them.
• Cavity fillings. A cavity is a small hole in your tooth that is filled using a silver material or a tooth-colored material. This procedure is very common and can ordinarily be done at a regular visit. However, if your filling falls out over the weekend, it can leave your tooth vulnerable to infection. Therefore, it is wise to get it filled right away.
• Emergency root canal. Sometimes, you may need an emergency root canal to avoid a cavity filling or another dental issue. You will know you need a root canal because you may experience severe tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold drinks or food, and maybe even small bumps on your gums. During this procedure, your dentist will remove the infection from your tooth, clean it, and seal it to prevent further infection and restore the strength of your tooth.

Emergency Dental Visit: What Can I Expect?

A dental visit on Saturday or Sunday is very similar to a dental visit on a weekday. A key difference is that you may expect shorter wait times. This is both because your condition requires immediate treatment and also because fewer people may be visiting the dentist on the weekend.

At your visit, you can also expect an initial health assessment that may ask about your medical history and the medications you are taking. This can help your provider if your emergency is due to an underlying health condition, and it also informs them of potential allergies or contraindications for medications they may administer. Your dentist will then do an examination to assess the issue, determining whether you need immediate treatment or if it can wait.

Depending on your situation, you may require an X-ray or even emergency surgery. Your dentist will make a judgment call to determine what is best for you by assessing the severity of your issue. You should be honest about the level of pain you are experiencing, as this can not only help your provider diagnose the problem but can help determine the course of treatment.

Overall, your dentist will treat your immediate symptoms, whether that is administering pain medication or stopping any bleeding you may experience. However, sometimes, your particular issue may require a follow-up appointment in addition to whatever service you are provided in the office.

Is a Weekend Emergency Dentist Expensive?

There are several factors that are attributed to the cost of an emergency dentist, which is similar to an emergency room (ER) visit. Oftentimes, ER visits are more expensive than regular doctor’s visits because of the extra medical care provided and hospital equipment used. This is also the case for emergency dental visits. Specifically, you may have to compensate for specialized treatments such as X-rays, fillings, or even emergency surgeries.

Because weekend dentists are working outside of their normal business hours, their rates may be more expensive on the weekend. However, this should not deter you from seeking emergency treatment. You may pay a bit more for an emergency visit, but avoiding treatment may lead to serious, more expensive consequences in the long run. For example, an emergency root canal can help you avoid losing a tooth that requires an implant, which can be expensive.

Further, our Emergency Dental Service may be able to help you with a payment plan or discounts for your procedures. Many emergency dental offices also accept insurance, so if you have it, you may not have to shoulder a considerable expense.

How to Contact a Weekend Dentist

Contacting adentist open on Saturdays or Sundays is rather simple. Emergency Dental Service is an excellent resource that can help you contact a dentist open on weekends so you do not have to delay treatment. Whether you are in excruciating pain, are experiencing gum bleeding, or have dislodged teeth, do not delay seeking treatment. Instead, contact Emergency Dental Service online or call us by phone at 1-888-350-1340.