Emergency Dentistry
GREENVILLE/SIMPSONVILLE EMERGENCY DENTIST
If you need an emergency dentist, we will see you today, if possible. Give us a call at (864) 962-5522. (Please only call during office hours which are Monday through Wednesday from 8am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm. Thursday 7:10 am to 2 pm.).
If you have a toothache, we will focus on getting you out of pain today, and then we will discuss your options for a more long-term solution to your problems.
New Patient Dental Emergencies
During office hours, if you are hurting, please call now. We want to see you today and get you out of pain! Call (864) 962-5522.
If you are a patient of record, we can see you during office hours and sometimes after office hours. If you are a new patient, we will need to register you first, so we can see you during office hours but not after hours.
Causes of Dental Emergencies
A toothache usually comes from a tooth infection, and the cause is usually decay. When decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, the decay bacteria infect the pulp. Since the pulp is in a confined space, it can’t swell to accommodate white blood cells to fight off the infection. As it tries to swell, it often causes severe pain.
If the infection isn’t eliminated, the pulp tissue inside the tooth dies, and the pain goes away. Some people think that the problem has then gone away, but it just spreads. Eventually the infection spills out into the bone, as is shown in the diagram at the left, and causes an abscess.
An abscess usually isn’t painful right away. It may just be a mild discomfort to chewing. Sometimes people notice a small pimple on the gum where the abscess is trying to drain.
If not treated, the infection continues to spread. If it goes far enough, it can become life-threatening. Depending on the location, it can close off your airway, or even spread to the brain. It’s definitely not something you should trifle with.
Other Dental Emergencies
Other dental emergencies include:
- A cracked tooth
- An esthetic emergency, such as a broken front tooth
- A crown or a bridge that has fallen off
- A tooth that is knocked out
We can help with all of these.
Call Dr. Bruce, your Greenville/Simpsonville emergency dentist, at 864-962-5522.