Periodontal Emergencies in Clinical Practice

Abstract

Background: People place high importance on management of medical emergencies. They, however, pay less attention to management of periodontal emergencies as they do to other medical emergencies. Interestingly, prompt intervention in periodontal emergencies is integral to general health of the individual. Various factors have been identified for the underestimation of the importance of management of periodontal emergencies including access to oral health facilities, cultural practices, low socioeconomic status (educational and income level) and low level of oral health awareness. More enlightenment campaign by dental professionals and improve government policy and implementation in the area of oral health care is needed to raise the level of oral health awareness and need for prompt management of periodontal emergencies. 
Objective:  Periodontal emergencies commonly present to the dental clinic. This review article reported the clinical features and management of oral diseases that constitutes periodontal emergencies. 
Methods: Periodontal emergencies were categorized into components of periodontal emergencies, prevalence of periodontal emergencies, clinical features and management of oral diseases that constitutes periodontal emergencies and level of awareness of oral health in general. 
Conclusion: The importance of prompt management of oral diseases that constitutes periodontal emergency cannot be over emphasized as it has been shown to greatly affect the general well-being and health of the individual. Periodontal emergencies, when not timely managed, can lead to residual destruction of periodontal tissues and indeed the oral cavity which can affect the quality of life of the individual. A healthy mouth in a health body is one to be sought by all.