Avoiding tooth troubles and other threats to your good health: FAQs about emergency dental care
Wes Park Family Dentistry is here for you in good times and in bad. And, by keeping up with visits to our office, you help to minimize the “bad” in the dental world, those conditions that lead to intense pain and the need for urgent or emergency dental care.
What is a dental emergency?
Our team in Perry, Georgia, sees all sorts of emergencies. Unlike many dental treatments available at our office, this service category is associated with caring for a wide range of different problems and conditions. Dental emergencies take on many forms. Commonly, they include a broken or cracked tooth, a fractured jaw, a tooth knocked out of its socket, a severe and persistent toothache, and when objects are caught between teeth that cannot be removed.
I’m worried about my tooth. What should I do?
Contact us to schedule an appointment. If you suspect you have an emergency after hours, be sure to call us, and one of our on-call team members will be able to help you promptly. Every effort is made to see and treat you as soon as possible.
How do you treat my tooth?
Since emergencies reflect so many different conditions, treatment by our dentist, Dr. Bryce Westmoreland, really depends on the nature of the emergency and the source of any pain or other symptoms you may be experiencing. Often, conditions affecting the innermost tooth structure are associated with severe pain that can keep you up at night. Such deep decay or infections inside the teeth are often resolved with root canal treatment, followed by a crown. If the tooth is too damaged to be effectively treated with root canal therapy, we can perform an emergency extraction to remove it. From there, Dr. Westmoreland will discuss options to replace the tooth and prevent further damage to other teeth and parts of the mouth.
Do I need to visit the emergency room?
Infections demand prompt treatment. They can spread beyond the tooth and immediate area of the mouth — to other parts of the face, head, and body. A systemic infection is a medical emergency. Visit the nearest ER if you have problems swallowing or breathing and if you have a fever and facial swelling. One of the biggest health threats presented by oral problems is a dental abscess, a severe infection that can cause life-threatening complications and spread through the body.
How do I prevent emergencies?
Wes Park Family Dentistry loves this question, and this is what we love to do! We partner with our patients to minimize their risk factors for developing conditions like dental decay and abscesses. During regular exams and dental cleanings, we can also advise on additional special or medicated washes and products and services like dental sealants to further reduce your risk of conditions that can cause intense pain, tooth loss, and other serious complications. Even traumatic injuries can be avoided with services like our custom sports mouthguards. If you are due for a check-up, call our Perry, GA office at (478) 488-3561.
Bryce Westmoreland, DMD
Dr. Bryce Westmoreland earned his BSA in Biological Science with Honors from the University of Georgia and completed his DMD at the Dental College of Georgia, where he also served as Chief Resident during his General Practice Residency. He specializes in implant placement surgeries and restorations and has furthered his expertise through the AAID MAXI course. He and his team are known for their friendly, gentle, and empathetic care, creating a welcoming atmosphere where patients receive the highest quality treatments.
He is a member of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.