A dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate dental care in order to save a tooth, stop ongoing tissue bleeding, or alleviate severe pain. In many cases, dental emergencies can be resolved quickly and easily with the help of a qualified emergency dentist. It is important to seek emergency dental care as soon as possible in order to minimize the risk of further damage. In this article, we will discuss various dental emergencies and how to best handle them.
First, it is important to note that if you are experiencing life threatening injuries, you should seek help at an emergency room right away. However, if you are not in a life threatening situation, and your injuries are limited to teeth and gums, an emergency room will probably not be able to help you that much. They may even send you away.
Secondly, it is important to know which emergencies require IMMEDIATE attention in order to save your tooth/teeth, and the kind of emergencies that can wait a day or two.
How to know you are experiencing a dental emergency
Here are some things to look out for if you think you may be experiencing a dental emergency:
- Dental pain that cannot be alleviated with over the counter medication.
- Tooth has been knocked out.
- Dental abscess (this is a pocket of pus that forms around the tooth due to infection).
- Cracked or chipped tooth.
- Bleeding (especially excessive bleeding, not necessarily very minor bleeding from gums)
These are just a few examples, but if you are ever in doubt, it is always best to err on the side of caution and seek dental attention as soon as possible.
What to do if you have a dental emergency
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, the first thing you should do is call your dentist right away. If they are unavailable, you can go to the nearest dental clinic or hospital.
Pain
This is usually the number one reason why people seek dental care, so if you are in pain, an emergency dentist usually will be able to help you get relief.
Tooth has been knocked out
It is important to try and find the tooth. Once you have found it, pick it up by the crown (the white part) and avoid touching the root. If possible, put the tooth back in its socket. If that is not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk or saline solution.
Dental Abscess
Rinse your mouth with warm water and salt. This will help to reduce the pain and swelling. You can also take over the counter medication like ibuprofen to help with the pain and inflammation.
Chipped or cracked tooth
You should rinse your mouth with warm water and salt. You can also take over the counter medication like ibuprofen to help with the pain and inflammation. If the tooth is sharp, you can cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum to avoid injuring your tongue or cheek.
Excessive bleeding
If you are bleeding excessively, you should apply pressure to the area with a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, you may need to get to an emergency room or seek an emergency dentist immediately.
Conclusion
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Dental emergencies can be frightening, but it is important to remain calm and seek dental care as soon as possible. By being prepared and knowing what to do in case of a dental emergency, you can minimize the risk of further damage and reduce the amount of pain you experience. If you are ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to give your dentist a call – they will be more than happy to help!
