Dental emergencies often strike without warning but cause a great deal of discomfort, pain, and even complications, if ignored. If you or a loved one is ever faced with a dental emergency, it is important to know how to respond and where to turn for help. Emergency dental services are a Godsend for anyone experiencing urgent dental issues while the dental clinic is closed or when they need immediate relief. Read on to know more about common dental emergencies, things you can do immediately to obtain relief, and the importance of prompt professional care.
Understanding Dental Emergencies
Some dental problems can wait till you make an appointment with a dentist, but there are some that demand urgent professional care to find relief and prevent further damage. A dental emergency refers to any oral health issue that needs immediate attention to relieve intense pain, stop bleeding, save a tooth, or prevent serious complications.
Common dental emergencies include:
- Severe toothache
- Knocked out or partially dislodged tooth
- Chipped or broken tooth
- Lost crown or filling
- Soft tissue injuries in the mouth
- Severe swelling or infection
Recognition of these emergencies and taking prompt action can save your tooth, or save you from a major oral health issue later.
Common Dental Emergencies
Severe Toothache
A severe, throbbing, intense toothache can bring everything to a halt. It is usually a sign of a deeper underlying problem, such as tooth decay, infection or damage to the tooth’s pulp or root. Here are a few things you can do to obtain immediate relief while you seek emergency dental care:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Floss to remove any food particles lodged between your teeth
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Please remember that these measures may offer temporary relief but it’s essential to seek immediate, professional help to address the root cause.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Your teeth may experience chipping or a break during an injury or while biting on a hard object. It’s important to seek an emergency dentist’s help to prevent further damage and avoid infection. Meanwhile, you can:
- Preserve any broken pieces of your tooth and carry them to the dentist
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Apply gauze with gentle pressure, in case of bleeding
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek, on the affected side
- Protect the broken tooth with dental cement (you can find it at a drugstore), if you can
- Seek emergency dental care immediately
Knocked-Out Tooth
This is one of the most urgent dental emergencies. Time is of essence and prompt action can help you save your tooth. Take these measures:
- Handle the tooth by the crown instead of the root
- Rinse the tooth gently with water. Avoid scrubbing or removing any tissue from it.
- Try to re-insert the tooth into the socket, if you can
- If you can’t reinsert the tooth, place it in milk and carry it to the dentist
Lost Crowns or Fillings
Lost crowns or fillings can cause pain, sensitivity and make the tooth vulnerable to further damage, if not addressed promptly. Till the time you reach the emergency dentist, you can:
- Use dental cement to cover the cavity, in case of a lost filling
- Try to slip the tooth cover back into place using dental cement
- Do not chew on the affected side
- These are temporary solutions. See your dentists quickly to replace the filling or the crown.
Immediate Actions to Take
In any dental emergency, you can do the following to prevent further damage and to manage the situation:
- Stay calm – Panic will only make things worse and lead to poor decision making.
- Control bleeding – Apply gentle pressure with gauze to the bleeding site.
- Manage pain – Use over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compress to alleviate pain
- Clean the affected area – Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the affected area.
- Protect the broken / knocked out tooth – Keep the tooth in milk or cover with dental cement, if possible
- Reach out to an emergency dentist – Visit an emergency oral health clinic or weekend dental emergency clinic for immediate dental treatment and dental pain relief
While the above steps can offer some short-term relief, they are not alternatives to professional dental care. Always seek an emergency dentist’s help in case of a dental emergency.
What to Expect from emergency Dental Services
Emergency dental services can provide immediate care for urgent dental and oral health problems. An emergency dentist would:
- conduct a full examination of the injured or affected area
- take X-rays to evaluate the extent of damage (if needed)
- recommend pain management options for immediate relief
- treat dental injury or other immediate concerns
- discuss further treatment options
- suggest preventive measures to avoid more damage in the future
Based on the dental trauma or problem, emergency dental treatments may include one or more of the following:
- Tooth extraction
- Root Canal treatment
- Tooth fillings
- Reattachment of the knocked out tooth
- Repair of the chipped or broken tooth
After the emergency treatment, your dentist may schedule a follow-up visit to check on the healing progress and to provide additional treatments or care.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While many dental emergencies strike unannounced, you can prevent others with good oral hygiene practices and preventive measures.
- Develop and practice good oral hygiene habits, including brushing twice and flossing daily
- See your family dentist for regular oral health check ups and cleanings
- Wear a mouthguard while playing sports
- Do not use your teeth as tools
- Avoid chewing extremely hard objects
- See your dentist immediately when spot a dental or oral health issue
These precautions can reduce your risk of suffering from a dental emergency.
Knowing what to do in a dental emergency and who to reach out to for urgent dental care can make a big difference to your oral health. Remember, it is better to err on the side of caution and seek professional dental care. Your smile is worth it!