What are Common Dental Emergencies?

Aside from being a stressful experience, dental emergencies can also present a potentially dangerous problem for your dental health. Leaving these issues untreated can result in permanent damage to your teeth, which can require more extensive and expensive treatments later on. Dental issues like toothaches, missing teeth, chipped teeth, or pain from a crown are considered severe issues that need immediate attention. Not all oral problems are emergencies, though. But if you experience any kind of pain, it is best that you see your dentist immediately.

If you are involved in an accident that has resulted in oral injury, take steps immediately to ensure your safety. If you are bleeding, try to stop it by applying light pressure to the injured area. In severe cases where medical services are required, consider going to the emergency room or urgent care so a specialist can evaluate you. Listed below are some of the most common dental emergencies.

Toothaches

At the first sign of a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water. Dislodge any food caught between your teeth using dental floss. You can minimize the swelling by applying a cold compress on the outside of the teeth. Many over-the-counter painkillers can ease painful symptoms and reduce fever.

Broken or Chipped Teeth

Rinse your mouth with warm water. Save whatever pieces of the tooth you can collect, rinse them, and store them in a safe place. Bring them with you when you go see your dentist. Put gauze on the affected area for about ten minutes until the bleeding stops. You can also apply a cold compress around the lips near the broken tooth or against the chip to help relieve pain and swelling.

Abscess

This is a serious condition that starts as an infection. It starts in the spaces between the teeth or around the root of the affected tooth. if left untreated, the disease can damage the soft tissue around the teeth, and spread to other areas of the body. If you notice painful swelling in your gums that looks like a pimple, schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately. In the meantime, you can ease the pain by rinsing your mouth using a salt-water solution to help draw out the bacteria. Do this several times throughout the day until you can see your dentist.

Avulsed Tooth

An avulsed tooth has to be seen by a dentist immediately and treated promptly. If you can, retrieve the tooth and rinse off any debris using water. Put the tooth back in place if possible, holding it by the crown and ensuring that it is facing the right way. Do not worry if you cannot insert it back. If this is the case, put the tooth in a container with milk or a salt-water solution. Teeth that are returned to their socket by a dentist within an hour after it is knocked out have a higher chance of being preserved.

Injuries are inevitable, but you can take steps to avoid certain dental issues. Ensuring proper hygiene is perhaps the best way to keep your mouth and teeth healthy and free from infections. It also helps to take a good combination of vitamins to help your body fight against unwanted infections. Vitamins A and B promote healthy gums, while vitamin C effectively boosts the immune system.

Maintaining regular visits to your dentist is also important to avoid dental emergencies. Be careful of what you are eating so your teeth will not crack or chip. Another measure is to wear protective gear if you are engaging in contact sports and other high-risk physical activities. If you are suffering from a dental emergency or you have concerns about pain, call your dentist immediately and schedule an appointment.