My poor sister recently suffered from a dental abscess. She said she was in great pain. Apparently, this type of abscess is one of the most common reasons individuals are required to undergo emergency dental surgery. The issue can cause unexpected and severe pain in the affected area, which spreads to the jaw, gums and face in many cases. Obviously, this was a dire situation. So, I performed an online search for “emergency dentist” to find someone that could see her right away. My sister is notorious for putting things off and now it had literally come back to bite her! She could barely open her mouth and eating and drinking was virtually out of the question. So, she contacted this dentist and was told she could be seen that day! What a relief! I drove her to the dentist’s office in London for her appointment. When we got to the greeting area, the nurse could tell my sister was hurting and worked with me to fill out paperwork and perform the check-in process as quickly as possible so that the dentist could get started. Finally, they got her in the chair and took a look in her mouth. The dentist said it was the worst tooth abscess he had ever seen! It was a relief to know, though, that he was not worried about repairing the area. It is with that kind of experience and know-how that makes you appreciate those that are skilled in their profession. He noted that this abscess was likely caused by dental decay that creates a cavity allowing the tooth to become infected. Tooth decay is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth, which collects on a daily basis. He also stated that trauma to the tooth can cause this type of infection. In no time, he was able to repair the tooth and my sister was relaxing in the chair. She said it was the most pain she had been in in her life, and she’s had three children! Before she left, the dentist cautioned to take better care of her teeth. If patients fail to maintain an effective oral hygiene routine, the plaque can react with sugars found in carbohydrates to form acid, which eats away at the protective barrier on the teeth and leads to severe infections. My sister promised to brush and floss more and come back to the office for regular cleanings and checkups. By taking these measures, maybe she can avoid such a painful experience in the future. I am so glad this dentist was readily available to assist us. It is that kind of integrity and skill that makes it a pleasure to visit the dentist, even in an emergency!