It is always better to be prepared for a dental emergency rather than be caught unaware of what to to do. People often experience dental concerns, but how can one know which ones are dental emergencies? Dental emergencies can occur at any point of time. And, therefore, it is essential to know about some of the common dental emergencies that may require immediate professional care.
Any kind of trauma to a tooth or the jaw is referred as a tooth injury. A tooth injury can cause a loosened tooth or can even lead to a knocked out or broken tooth. If you suffer a tooth injury it is best to consult a dentist immediately to prevent further damage. In fact, the dentist may even be able to save the injured or knocked out tooth. Tooth injury is one of the most common dental emergencies and a dentist can help restore your tooth structure within 24 hours.
A severe toothache usually signals serious problems like infection or decay caused by dental caries. A toothache arising from a badly decayed tooth should not be ignored as you may even end up losing your tooth. Your dentist can help identify the root cause and cure the toothache. So, it is best to schedule an appointment with an emergency dental clinic instead of relying on counter painkillers.
A trauma or an accident can cause a knocked-out tooth. Your knocked-out tooth can be reinserted into socket and saved only if it is attended to immediately. You need to keep your knocked out tooth safe by gently rinsing it in saline or salty water to remove dust particles from it. Until you reach the dentist, you can preserve the tooth by keeping it in a small container of milk.
If you notice a painful swelling filled with pus on your gums, then probably this could be an abscess. A tooth abscess is an infection that affects a tooth’s root and may lead to severe issues. If such an infection between your gums and the tooth is left untreated, then it can severe damage to the surrounding tissues of your tooth and may spread to the rest of the parts of your body.
People may chip or crack their teeth due to an accident, or because of biting down on something hard, or cavities that may have weaken the tooth. Small cracks in a tooth can, however, be fixed with fillings, but in severe cases, it may require a tooth extraction or a root canal therapy. Minor chips or cracks can merely be smoothened, but if you experience a lot of pain or bleeding, then the broken tooth should be treated as an emergency. You can rinse your mouth with warm salt water and apply slight pressure to the affected area to stop bleeding before you go for emergency dental care.
So, here were some common dental emergencies you should be aware of to ensure treatment is not delayed during such events. If you want to know more about handling dental emergencies or need help with a dental problem, feel free to contact us at Floss and Gloss.