Unfortunately, accidents happen. In our society, we’ve been fortunate enough to have an infrastructure in place to address medical emergencies such as Urgent Care Facilities and Emergency Rooms. We’ve also been taught how to assess and manage minor medical events to the point where, on average, every household owns emergency medical supplies in some form or fashion. The bottom line is, we know what to do in case of a medical emergency. However, when it comes to dental emergencies, most people are not so knowledgeable. In this article, we’ll discuss what constitutes a dental emergency and what to do about it.
What is a Dental Emergency?
In general, any experience that leads to profuse bleeding, severe pain, or a lost tooth is a dental emergency. If you have any of these problems, call your dentist right away to address the issue. Below, we’ll discuss these situations in further detail.
Tooth Fracture or Loss
A chipped or cracked tooth is not necessarily a dental emergency. However, if the cracked tooth causes problematic shards that lead to cuts and bleeding or reinforces severe pain, then it’s time to see an Emergency Dentist immediately. If a tooth is chipped, but you aren’t experiencing any pain, it’s not an emergency. Similarly, some may experience a lost crown or filling. This can also wait a few days until you can see a dentist. For a temporary measure, you can place a piece of sugar-free gum in the area to fill it in or purchase some over-the-counter dental cement or dental adhesive to replace the crown temporarily until your visit with the Dentist.
If you experience tooth loss, this is a serious matter. If this does happen, you need to act fast. Pick the tooth up carefully avoiding the root. Scrub it clean and put it into a clean container or milk. Go to the Dentist immediately, The Emergency dentist may be able to save the tooth.
Severe Pain, Infection, or Abscess
If you’re experiencing severe pain, it may be time to see a dentist. Severe pain accompanied by swelling, bumps along the gums, and/or fever is a sign of infection. This is a potentially life-threatening situation and you will need to take careful precautions. Rinse your mouth with mild salt water a few times to draw out any puss that may be present and to reduce pain. Go to the dentist immediately to address the issue without delay. An abscess or signs of infection can lead to permanent damage to your mouth and jaw and it can spread to other parts of the body. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see a dentist as soon as possible.
A dental emergency is not as scary as it sounds. We have made great strides in the dental industry to provide comprehensive care that prolongs the health and vitality of your teeth. The best way to avoid a dental emergency is to continue good oral hygiene and maintain routine check-ups with your dentist. These visits allow your dentist to identify any distressed areas of your teeth such as loose crowns, decay, or infection. Your dentist can create a custom treatment plan that will help you avoid dental emergencies from ever happening.