5 Dental Emergencies That Require Immediate Care

03/10/2020

Toothache can drive anybody crazy, still, some people prefer taking a pain reliever and postpone their visit to a dentist’s office. However, there are situations when you need to act as quickly as possible to save the tooth and take care of oral health. Dental emergencies can happen at any time of day and night so you should know whether it is essential to call a dentist at once or you can wait until the time of your appointment.

What Are the Types of Dental Emergencies?

It doesn’t matter whether you see a family dentist regularly or have proper oral hygiene habits as a dental emergency can occur with anybody. As a rule, it happens all of sudden, so it is better to be aware of such situations. You should approach emergency dentistry if you face one of these dental problems:

Abscess

This infection must be treated quickly, or it will induce damage to the gums and teeth. Abscess forms around the root of the tooth or between the gums and the teeth. Of course, you can take a pain reliever, but it is necessary to start treatment involving antibiotics. That’s why you should call an emergency dentist to get qualified help.

Broken teeth

You may break your tooth while doing sport or going in for other activities, but no matter what the reason is, the main aim is to save it. Place the tooth into a glass of milk or water with some salt. Rinse your mouth to make sure there are no pieces left after the accident. Apply pressure if there is bleeding and wait until it stops that is about 10 minutes. Then make an appointment and see the dentist as soon as possible. You can take a pain reliever if the tooth pain is excruciating. Don’t forget to take the glass with a tooth to the dentist’s office.

Bleeding gums

Some people think that emergency dental care concerns only situations involving the teeth. In fact, the problems with lips, cheeks, or tongue may also cause the necessity to see a dentist. If you notice the bleeding, then call a doctor and follow these simple steps at once:

Prepare a mixture of water and salt to rinse your mouth. It will sterilize the damaged area.
Apply pressure for 15 minutes.
Lessen the swelling and pain by placing a cold compress on the mouth or cheek.

When arriving at emergency dentistry, let the doctor know how you have treated the bleeding before.

Lost or broken crown/filling

After losing or breaking the crown/filling, the teeth become sensitive and defenseless; hence the bacteria can enter the inner teeth part and cause an infection. That’s why you should replace it immediately. Of course, you can try to place the crown back until visiting a doctor, but be accurate not to force it. He will perform deep dental cleaning and solve the problem.

Loose tooth

A loose tooth is one more reason for an adult to have an urgent dental checkup, as it is typically only for kids. If you face such a problem, then you need to consult a doctor because it may be a signal for having some disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that you shouldn’t postpone your visit to emergency dentistry if you are suffering from red gums, bleeding gums, swollen gums, or gum recession as these are warning symptoms.

Tips to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Despite the seriousness of dental emergencies, you can try to prevent them. First of all, visit preventative dentistry at least twice a year and take care of teeth regularly. It is also recommended to:

Purchase mouth guard in case you are doing contact sport.
Avoid eating foods that may cause the tooth crack and refuse sugary drinks.
Choose a toothpaste with fluoride as it helps make gums stronger and resistant to damages.
Stop opening bottles, cut things, or break objects.
Refuse taking medicine without consulting a doctor.
Quit bad habits like smoking.

The Bottom Line

Try to be calm and stay positive if you have a dental emergency since panic may lead to negative consequences. Call the doctor and visit the dentist’s office immediately. At Gallegos Family Dentistry, you may count on immediate help despite what time of day or night it is. Call the dentist and make an appointment just once you realize you have a dental emergency. Eventually, you will get rid of awful tooth pain and smile again.