Summary
Emergencies can happen at any moment and can come with much discomfort.
Staying prepared for such instances is a must for your oral health!
Prolonged ignorance can even jeopardize your overall well-being. Emergency dental care tends to address all issues, whether you are experiencing severe pain, trauma, or infection in the oral cavity. It provides immediate attention to alleviate discomfort and prevent potential damage.Recognizing the signs that call for immediate action will allow you to take swift action and avoid further complications.
Therefore, in this article, we will be discussing topics like:
- Dental Emergency- A Quick View
- 5 Signs That Call For Immediate Action
- How To Tackle a Dental Emergency
- Tips to Stay Prepared for Any Dental Emergency
Continue reading as we learn more about oral emergencies and your key to navigate through them in the following sections.
Dental Emergency- A Quick View
Dental crises (according to the American Dental Association) are diagnoses that might be fatal and need prompt medical attention to stop bleeding, relieve excruciating pain, and treat infection.
But when will a dental emergency happen?
Although many other diagnoses are associated with dental crises, three general categories are commonly used to classify them: post-procedural, traumatic, and infectious.
Traumatic dental emergencies are most common and are due to traffic accidents, falls, physical violence, or sports injuries. Reach out to your nearest dentist in Aubrey, TX, at the earliest instance of oral inconvenience.
Other Forms of Oral Emergency
Infectious dental emergencies begin with dental caries, leading to open oral spaces and giving away to bacterial infections like pulpitis, necrosis, periodontitis, and more.
What’s more? Post-procedural emergency includes post-extraction bleeding or throbbing pain and inflammation at the site of surgery.
So now that you have an idea of oral emergencies let’s examine the top five signs that say ‘oral emergency.’
5 Signs That Call For Immediate Action
A sudden toothache, persistent gum bleeding, or a chipped tooth can leave you wondering: “Do I need to visit an Emergency Dental TX?” The answer is it depends.
However, there are certain situations where immediate dental care is crucial. Here are five telltale signs that you should not ignore-
1. Throbbing Toothache
While a dull ache can wait for a regular appointment, a persistent, throbbing toothache should not disrupt your regular life and activity. Make an immediate visit to your dentist, as there can be an underlying infection, abscess, or damaged tooth nerve requiring prompt attention.
2. Knocked-Out Tooth
In this case, time is of the essence. The faster you act, the higher your chances of saving the tooth. If you get hold of your knocked-out tooth, soak it in milk and head straight to an emergency dental tx. Within 60 minutes of the emergency, your tooth can be reimplanted.
3. Swollen or Bleeding Gums
If you notice swelling in your gums or bleeding while you brush your teeth, it can be a sign of a prolonged infection or serious periodontal disease. These symptoms call for professional attention.
4. Cracked or Broken Tooth
A minor chip is not a genuine emergency. But if you have a large crack or broken tooth exposing the inner pulp, visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Exposed inner pulp can easily become infected, leading to further complications.
5. Facial Swelling
Swelling around the cheek, jaw, or mouth can indicate infected gum tissue, a broken jaw, or an abscessed tooth. These can be painful and should not be ignored.
Step-by-Step Guide on Tackling a Dental Emergency
A quick response and primary care to a dental emergency can significantly affect the outcome.
Here, we will discuss practical steps to tackle various dental emergencies-
a. Stay calm and take a deep breath:
This will allow you to assess the severity of the situation and determine if it requires emergency dental care. Use warm water to rinse your mouth correctly if you have a toothache. Floss your teeth to get rid of any food fragments. If your mouth is swollen, use a cold compress and take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen to relieve discomfort.
b. If you have a broken or chipped tooth:
If it is chipped or broken, save any pieces and rinse them. Apply gauze to the affected area for 10 minutes to stop bleeding. Also, a cold compress should be applied to the outside of the mouth near the broken or chipped tooth to avoid swelling and relieve pain.
When your tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown and never by the base, as this can destroy the nerve ending necessary for a successful re-implantation. Rinse the tooth and avoid scrubbing. You can try to put it back, but avoid forcing it. If it’s not possible, soak the tooth in milk or saltwater.
c. Did you lose a filling?:
In case of a lost filling, stick a piece of sugarless gum on the cavity or get hold of an over-the-counter dental cement as a temporary measure. Then, see your dentist as soon as possible.
If your crown falls off, keep the crown with you and make an immediate visit to the dentist. If you are experiencing pain, apply a little clove oil by soaking cotton.
Abscesses are infections that occur at the tooth root or between the teeth and gums. They can spread when left untreated, so it’s best not to delay such infections and to make a dental appointment as soon as possible.
Tips to Stay Prepared for Any Dental Emergency
1. Know Your Dentist’s Contact Information
You must have the information to contact your dentist in times of emergency. During your regular visits, note their office number, emergency after-hours number, and address. You should be clear about where to go for help during an emergency.
2. Keep A Dental Emergency Kit Ready!
A dental emergency kit includes gauze, dental wax, over-the-counter dental cement if you have fillings, a small container for knocked-out teeth, painkillers, and a dental mirror.
3. Acquire First Aid Knowledge
Educate yourself on the basics of dental first aid. For example, if a tooth is knocked out, you must handle it by the crown, not the root. Or, if a wire or bracket breaks on your braces, use dental wax to cover any sharp edges.
4. Pain Management
If you have acute tooth discomfort, use dental floss to remove leftover food particles, rinse your mouth with warm salt water, and apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to minimize swelling.
Takeaway
- Quick thinking and prompt action are the key to effective management of dental emergencies.
- Act within the first 30 minutes of any dental emergency, as every second counts during an emergency.
- Always have your dentist’s contact information.
- Know the location of the nearest emergency dental clinic apart from your regular dentist.
- Are you facing an oral emergency? Consider reaching out to our experts at Paloma Creek Dental today!
