For any number of reasons, dental emergencies happen at inopportune moments—from a sudden toothache at night to a chipped tooth while eating your favorite meal. Knowing how to handle these dental emergencies makes all the difference in protecting your oral health. If you find yourself with a dental emergency, the best way to solve complications and pain is to immediately reach out to an emergency dentist near you. Having a dentist near you allows you to receive the best care when you need it.
The five most common dental emergencies are listed below, in addition to how to handle them before you see your dentist.
1. Severe Toothache
A sudden or ongoing toothache can indicate an underlying problem such as an infection, cavity, or abscess. Tooth pain is regarded as one of the more common dental emergencies and, therefore, should never be ignored. Rinsing your mouth out with warm salt water may provide temporary relief; however, you need to consult with your dentist immediately. Do not place aspirin directly on the gums due to the risk of burns to the tissue.
2. Knocked-Out Tooth
In some cases, an accident or sports injury can result in the loss of a tooth. In case you lose a tooth you should take immediate action. Take the tooth by the top (the top part of the tooth) and do not touch the root. Wash the tooth softly using water, and do not bulk it. Where feasible, put the tooth back in the socket. In case you are not able to insert the tooth into the socket, then put it in milk or tooth preservation solution until you get a chance to visit a dentist. It is advised to visit an urgent dental care dentist within the next 30 minutes so as to ensure that the tooth has a better chance of being saved.
3. Broken or Chipped Tooth
A tooth can chip or break when one eats hard food or just falls. Small chips do not normally cause pain, but larger splits may reveal the nerves and leave them sensitive and painful. Wash your mouth with warm water and put some cold stuff to reduce swelling. When a dentist sees you, then he/she can fix the tooth using a filling, a crown, or a veneer, depending on the extent that the tooth was damaged.
4. Lost or Damaged Filling/Crown
In the event of the loss of a filling or a crown, the tooth will have the risk of developing decay and sensitivity until your visit to the dentist. It is another typical case of the common dental emergency, which is to be visited shortly. In case you lose your crown, do not bring it with you to the appointment, but keep it. You can use some dental cement in a small amount, which you can usually find at the pharmacy, to facilitate protecting the tooth till you can meet your dentist. Do not chew on that side until you visit your dentist; otherwise, it will cause more harm.
5. Gum or Soft Tissue Injuries
Cuts, tears, and piercing in the lips or tongue or gums can cause a lot of blood and agony. You are to rinse the mouth lightly with warm salt water and apply force with a clean cloth or gauze. In case you cannot stop the hemorrhage in 10 minutes, you should use emergency dental treatment or visit the closest emergency room. Do NOT put your tongue or any sharp object on it to examine the injury.
When to Seek Emergency Dental Help
Any pain, swelling, or bleeding in your mouth that is persistent must be considered. A dental emergency may soon develop and even result in an infection or permanent harm in case you do not treat it as soon as possible. Speed and calmness are the keys to saving your smile.
Conclusion
Emergencies in the dental field can be a stress factor, but the availability of the right dentist makes indeed a difference. In Forest Lake Family Dental, our professionally trained and experienced team of professionals can give you quality and prompt care in cases of dental emergencies. Be it a tooth break-in, intense pains, or loss of teeth, among other things, we are here to listen and take into consideration your needs so that we can provide you with the relief you rightfully deserve.
You need not wait to call us today to find an emergency dentist near you so that you can be assured of immediate and efficient treatment.