With the COVID-19 crisis sweeping the world, many dentists have temporarily stopped providing non-essential forms of dental care. The goal is to slow the spread of the virus and to drive down the curve. However, dental emergencies don’t stop simply because of an existing health crisis. The good news is that your emergency dentist in Scarborough, Toronto is still available to provide the treatment you need in these difficult situations. What qualifies as a dental emergency, though? Read on to find out.
How the American Dental Association (ADA) Classifies a Dental Emergency
Typically, the symptoms of a dental emergency can range from tissue bleeding, severe pain or infection, to tooth breaks or loss. Instead of guessing whether you have a problem on your hands that requires immediate care, it’s better to have some expert information to rely upon.
Here are the ADA’s standards:
- Profuse bleeding that lasts for more than 10 minutes
- A soft tissue bacterial infection that causes swelling in the mouth or jaw, and can potentially compromise your airway
- Trauma involving facial bones that could potentially inhibit your breathing
You’re Not Alone
The last thing you should have to do is battle a dental emergency on your own. Although your dentist isn’t currently providing other services like preventive maintenance, cosmetic dentistry and certain forms of restorative care, he or she is available to provide any emergency dental treatment you may need. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about a severe issue becoming even more threatening.
In these situations, it’s especially important that you seek care from your local dentist and not add to the traffic jam that already exists in emergency rooms. However, there are two types of dental emergencies that you should immediately head to the hospital for: a suspected broken jaw or oral bleeding that lasts for longer than 10 minutes.
The Types of Emergency Dental Care Dentists are Providing
Dentists consider the following as worthy of immediate care:
- Biopsy of abnormal tissue
- Severe dental pain from pulpal inflammation
- Post-operative osteitis (also referred to as dry socket)
- Dental trauma with avulsion/luxation (tooth dislodgement)
- Tooth fracture resulting in pain or causing soft tissue trauma
- Dental treatment required before receiving critical medical procedures
- Abscess or localized bacterial infection resulting in pain and swelling
- Pericoronitis (gum tissue inflammation around a partially erupted molar)
- Final crown/bridge cementation if a temporary restoration is lost, broken or causing gingival (gum) irritation
In uncertain times, you need to know that there is someone for you to count on. You can rest assured that your dentist is available to help you recover from a dental emergency and regain a sense of normalcy in your life, even while the world is fighting to overcome COVID-19.
About the Author
A four-year winner of Best Dentist in Scarborough, Dr. Gus Bal combines a wealth of experience, knowledge and overall compassion to help his patients recover from trying issues like dental emergencies. The Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine graduate provides emergency care at Bal Dental Centre, even during the COVID-19 crisis, and he can be reached for more information through his website.
