Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, causing pain, discomfort, and stress. Knowing what to do in these situations can make a significant difference in minimizing damage and ensuring you get the proper care. Here are essential tips to follow during a dental emergency, helping you protect your oral health until you can see a professional!
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
The first step in any emergency is to remain calm. Dental emergencies, like other types of emergencies, can be overwhelming. Staying composed allows you to assess the situation clearly. Determine whether the issue is severe enough to require immediate attention or if it can wait for a dental appointment. Common dental emergencies include broken or knocked-out teeth, severe toothache, bleeding gums or soft tissue injuries, abscess or infection.
Toothache? Try to Alleviate the Pain
Toothaches are among the most common dental emergencies. If you’re experiencing a severe toothache, first rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the affected area. Use dental floss to remove any food particles that may be lodged between teeth, as this can sometimes cause discomfort. Avoid placing aspirin or other painkillers directly on the gum, as this can burn the tissue.
Over-the-counter pain relief medication can help reduce discomfort, but if the pain persists, it’s essential to see a dentist as soon as possible. Severe toothaches may indicate an infection or other serious issue.
Dealing with a Knocked-Out Tooth
If a tooth has been knocked out, acting quickly is crucial. Retrieve the tooth, holding it by the crown (the part of the tooth visible in the mouth) and not by the root. Rinse it with water if necessary, but avoid scrubbing it or removing any attached tissue fragments.
If possible, try to reinsert the tooth into its socket. If that’s not feasible, place the tooth in a container of milk or a special tooth preservation product available at most pharmacies. The sooner you can get to a dentist, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
Managing a Chipped or Broken Tooth
For chipped or broken teeth, start by rinsing your mouth with warm water. Save any pieces of the tooth you can find and store them in a clean, dry container. If there is bleeding, apply gauze to the affected area for about 10 minutes, or until the bleeding stops. A cold compress applied to the outside of the cheek can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
Depending on the severity of the break, you may need immediate dental care. In some cases, chipped teeth may require only cosmetic repair, but deep breaks that expose the tooth’s nerves need urgent attention.
What to Do with a Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a serious condition that can develop due to an untreated infection in the teeth or gums. Symptoms of an abscess include severe pain, swelling, fever, and a pimple-like swelling on the gums. If you suspect an abscess, rinse your mouth with mild salt water to help reduce pain and draw out pus.
Abscesses require immediate dental attention to prevent the spread of infection, which can affect not only the teeth but also the surrounding tissues and even other parts of the body.
When to Seek Emergency Dental Care
Not all dental issues require immediate attention, but some, like knocked-out teeth, severe pain, or abscesses, do. If you’re ever unsure, it’s better to err on the side of caution and seek professional help. Emergency dentists are equipped to handle urgent issues and can provide guidance over the phone if you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies as an emergency.
Need Emergency Dental Care? Contact Embassy Dental Today!
When a dental emergency strikes, you need a trusted provider ready to help. Embassy Dental offers expert care to handle all kinds of dental emergencies. From knocked-out teeth to severe infections, our team is prepared to assist you in your time of need.
Visit us at Embassy Dental to learn more about our comprehensive dental services!