Emergency Dentist 24/7 St. Louis, MO

Like any other medical emergency, a dental emergency can happen anywhere and at any time. Moreover, if you are experiencing a certain dental issue and fail to treat it promptly, you could face long-term health consequences. Luckily, there are dentists that can handle your weekend dental emergency and ensure your dental needs are met.

The Emergency Dental Service is a quality resource that helps you find dental offices open on Saturday or Sunday in your area. If you are a St. Louis, MO resident, you should be able to find a dental office to take care of your dental emergency instead of having to wait until Monday. 

Emergency Dental Care: What It Is

A dental emergency is a dental procedure that can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. While there are some dental procedures that can be attended during routine care, others require prompt attention. Examples of common dental emergencies are listed below:

• Excruciating, persistent pain in your mouth or gum that doesn’t fade with medication
• A badly broken or cracked tooth
• A tooth or teeth that have been knocked out
• An abscess, which is a bacterial infection that can cause severe swelling
• Lost, damaged, or broken dental restorations, such as dentures or implants
• Lacerations inside the mouth
• Excessive bleeding that persists with treatment

There are other examples of dental emergencies that are not included in this list. It is important to understand the signs and not hesitate to seek treatment if you experience them. For example, you may think losing a tooth can wait until a weekday, but if it gets infected, it may cause a bigger problem.

Emergency Dental Care: What It Is Not

There are certain times when it is better to wait until the weekday to make an appointment with your dentist. In these cases, rushing to the emergency room can be time-consuming and costly. If you are experiencing any of the following dental issues, it may be best to schedule a regular appointment with your provider:

• Dull or minor pain in your gums or teeth
• A child with a loose “baby tooth” or one that has fallen out
• Items that are stuck between your teeth
• A tiny break or crack in your tooth that doesn’t cause significant pain or swelling
• A minor cut in your mouth area
• Small breaks in braces, retainers, implants, or dentures

Each of these issues can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, but they do not constitute dental emergencies. Instead, you may want to attempt home treatments before contacting your dentist the next business day. For example, you can gargle with salt water for minor pain or floss to get items out of your teeth. However, you do not want to ignore any of these issues for a long period of time, as they can turn into serious issues down the line.

The Difference Between the ER and an Emergency Dentist Office

Unlike traditional emergency room doctors, emergency dentists are qualified to perform dental procedures during your visit. You may be tempted to go to the emergency room if you need a tooth extracted, but the ER doctor will only be able to treat your immediate symptoms by providing pain medications. On the other hand, contacting Emergency Dental of Omaha may mean you can get your tooth extracted right away.

Because emergency dentists offer a range of dental services, they can manage your pain while also conducting the procedure you may desperately need.

What Happens if I Don’t Go to an Emergency Dentist?

A dental emergency is an emergency. Excruciating mouth pain that doesn’t subside, a stubborn tooth that causes intense swelling, or bleeding gums are reasons to seek immediate treatment. Weekends are often packed with socializing or relaxation, making it difficult to stop what you are doing to seek a dentist. However, ignoring your symptoms could prove damaging. Some of the consequences of waiting instead of visiting an emergency dentist include:

• Developing an infection. Open wounds because of missing teeth can lead to infections that spread throughout the body. If you are treated right away, you can avoid this scenario.
  
• Worsen existing health conditions. Ignoring serious dental issues can worsen diabetes or heart disease.
  
• Persistent pain. If you are experiencing excruciating pain in your teeth, mouth, or gums, it can impact your ability to eat, sleep, or even speak.
  
• Permanent tooth loss. You could lose your teeth permanently if you neglect to seek immediate treatment for decaying or damaged teeth or gums.
  
• Severe bone and tissue damage. There are bones and tissues in your mouth that support the growth and health of your teeth. Ignoring necessary procedures or symptoms could create bone and tissue damage.
  
• Social isolation and emotional stress. We use our mouths every day and for a variety of reasons. Missing a tooth, especially a front tooth, can be embarrassing and create social isolation and lost opportunities. If you have a job interview on Monday, for example, and lose a tooth on Saturday, you may not want to show up in your condition.

How Are Dental Emergencies Caused?

While some dental emergencies develop because of existing issues, other times, they occur because of unexpected injuries. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, it may be caused by:

• Untreated gum disease
• Untreated cavities
• An abscess that has gotten worse over time
• An erupted wisdom tooth
• Post-procedural complications

However, sometimes your emergency occurs by being in the wrong place at the wrong time or experiencing a trauma. Common scenarios in these cases include playing a sport, engaging in an intense physical activity, being in a slip-and-fall accident, or experiencing any kind of trauma to the mouth.

In other cases, you may have a preexisting condition that causes dental issues such as diabetes or kidney disease, which increases the risk of developing periodontal disease. Pregnancy can also lead to dental issues because of a woman’s increased hormones, leading to swelling or bleeding gums. If your pain persists, you may need immediate treatment to ease your symptoms.

Preventing a Dental Emergency

Sometimes, dental emergencies are unexpected and unavoidable. You may not always have the foresight to predict when your once-benign dental issues will become an emergency. However, there are certain things you can do to prevent some dental emergencies from arising, which usually involve routine care and dietary changes.

• Routine dental care. You should brush your twice-daily teeth and floss daily for optimal dental health.
  
• Yearly dental care. It is recommended that you visit your dentist yearly to avoid developing cavities and to receive preventative care and tips. For children, this time period may be more frequent.
  
• Wear protective gear. If you play sports, it is wise to wear protective gear like mouth guards or face shields to protect your teeth.
  
• Dietary habits. What we consume plays a major role in our oral health. Avoiding too much sugar, including sugary drinks, may prohibit cavities from forming.
  
• Dental care for seniors. Seniors may have unique dental care needs, especially since our teeth tend to deteriorate as we age. If you are a senior, you should stay up to date with dental care to discuss your needs and seek advice on how to care for your teeth or dental restoration if applicable.
  
• When a woman becomes pregnant, they may experience a range of hormonal changes, with some women having more severe symptoms than others. Gum swelling or bleeding may be one of the symptoms of hormonal changes. That is why pregnant women should take special care of their teeth and even visit their dentist before giving birth to ensure any issues are not passed on to their growing baby.

Are Dentists Open on Weekends?

Emergency Dental of Omaha is available 24/7, including Saturday and Sunday, for your emergency dental needs. Our well-staffed Emergency Dental Service is there to help with your specific needs, whether you need a tooth extraction or a root canal. Your emergency weekend dentist may offer the following:

Cavity Fillings

A cavity is a small hole in a person’s tooth or teeth. When a person has a cavity, it needs to be filled with a transparent or silver material to avoid decay or infection. If you get a cavity filling at a routine visit and it falls out, you may require an emergency replacement

Dental Crown Repairs

Dental crowns are similar to cavities, except a dentist will place an entire cap on top of your tooth if it is seriously decayed or damaged. Dental crowns are an effective way to shield your tooth, protecting it from infection and serious decay. However, sometimes they crack or sustain damage. If this happens to you over the weekend, you may want to visit an emergency dentist to get it repaired.

Denture Repairs

Dentures resemble the appearance and function of natural teeth and are typically used by individuals with many or all their teeth missing. While they are generally sturdy, they can be prone to damage or breakage over time. Because those with dentures require them to eat and speak properly, they may not want to wait to get them prepared if they are damaged over the weekend.

Dental Implant Repairs

Dental implants are similar to dentures in that they are artificial teeth that mimic the real thing. Dental implants, however, tend to be more expensive and sturdier because they are surgically implanted into the jawbone. As natural-looking as they are, when they are damaged, loose, or fail to properly implant, they require repair.

If your implant is damaged on a Saturday, you shouldn’t have to wait until Monday to have the function of your teeth. Emergency dentists are excellent resources to ensure you can have your implants repaired and chew, speak, or eat normally.

Root Canal

If the pulp of a person’s tooth becomes inflamed or infected, they may require a root canal. During a root canal procedure, your dentist will remove the infection, clean your tooth, and restore it. Avoiding a root canal procedure can result in intense pain, tooth sensitivity, or swollen and decaying gums. You may even develop lumps or pimples over your gums.

While a root canal is a serious procedure, experiencing those symptoms can be life-interfering, which is why immediate treatment is highly recommended and often necessary.

Tooth Extractions

If your tooth or teeth become damaged beyond repair, you may require an extraction. Another reason for an extraction is the development of an infection or gum disease. In certain cases, tooth extractions are emergencies, which help to prevent long-term issues. For example, if you wait to get a problem tooth extracted, you could risk contracting a serious infection.

What to Expect at an Emergency Dental Care Visit

Dental care emergencies are very similar to routine dental visits, except you may experience shorter wait times and immediate treatment rather than preventative care. During your visit, your provider will likely do a brief assessment, asking you a series of questions about your medical history and reason for visiting before addressing your immediate symptoms.

Depending on your case, you may need an X-ray to determine the root cause of your problem, or you may require emergency surgery. In other cases, your dentist may just treat your problematic symptoms like uncontrolled bleeding or pain and schedule a follow-up visit to treat the core issue.

Are Emergency Dentists More Expensive?

Dental emergency visits can be pricier than routine treatment, depending on your case. Expected costs include an emergency examination, x-rays, surgical procedure costs, tooth extractions, and fillings if required. However, some emergency dental offices accept Medicaid and insurance, which help cover your costs. If you are uncertain about the bill for an emergency dental procedure, you should contact the office first.

In any case, it is important to avoid delaying treatment as this can make your problem worse and more costly in the long run.

Contacting a Weekend Emergency Dentist

If you are experiencing a dental emergency like excessive pain, bleeding, trauma, or severely swollen gums, you should not hesitate to contact an emergency dentist. It may be tempting to try enduring the pain for costs or other reasons, but this may create serious complications later. Instead, contact a local Emergency Dental Service using our provider search page or call 1-844-885-1538 today to schedule an appointment.