Dental Emergencies: What to Do?

A dental emergency is a tooth-related injury that needs immediate attention. As it could become potentially harmful, certain injuries to gums and teeth lead to severe or permanent damage to oral health. So what exactly is a dental emergency? It is a dental problem that must be given immediate attention. 

Every dental problem does not necessarily need emergency treatment. But in cases like nonstop gum bleeding, excruciating pain that is not relieved even after medicine intake, or if facial bones break, then you need to take immediate action to prevent any further damage. 

So, if you are suffering from a dental problem, visit the dentist for emergency treatment. If you are looking for a dental care provider, look no further as Leawood dental provides you with the best dental treatment, and you can even contact them at any time. They provide 24/7 emergency services.

In this article, we will delve into dental emergency issues and guide you regarding taking the required steps for treatment. 

Identify the Nature of the Dental Emergency

It is essential to identify the nature of the dental emergency that an individual is suffering from, to treat it accordingly. Following is the list of tooth-related problems that may or may not require urgent dental treatment.

•  Serious toothache
• A cracked or chipped tooth
• Dental abscess 
• Badly injured soft tissue
• Knocked out tooth
• Partially displaced tooth
• Lost or broken dental restoration

After examining the core of the problem, an immediate and right type of treatment can be done as per the need. 

Immediate Steps for Common Dental Emergencies

As you have understood the type of problem that is occurring, now is the time to take immediate steps to take for common dental emergencies. Below, you will find a detailed explanation of what to do instantly before visiting your dentist in such emergencies.

If you are suffering from severe toothache, firstly cleanse your mouth thoroughly with warm water. Flossing your teeth to remove any stuck food can also help. If there is swelling in your gums, use a cold compressor outside your cheek or mouth. 

In addition, take over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen. But do not make the mistake of putting it inside the mouth against your gums, it can burn the tissues. Immediately visit your dentist for better treatment for this dental emergency.

This dental emergency can be treated for temporary relief. Rinse and keep the broken piece of tooth safe. Cleanse your mouth with warm water. In case of nonstop bleeding, apply gauze for 10 minutes until it stops. 

To get relief from pain, you can also apply a cold compressor outside your mouth, cheek, or place where your tooth is broken. Visit your dentist as soon as possible. 

An abscess is an infection in the mouth, its appearance is similar to a pimple that occurs around the root of the tooth or between the gums. It is a serious condition that can potentially damage your surroundings or your teeth and tissues. If not treated immediately, it can swell your face or jaw and can slowly spread to other parts of the body as well. 

To get relief from pain, draw the pus towards the surface and rinse your mouth with mild salt water multiple times a day. In the meantime, do not forget to visit your dentist immediately to get a better handling of this dental emergency. 

Sometimes you can experience soft tissue injuries to cheeks, gums lips, or tongue, which leads to bleeding. To control the nonstop bleeding, use mild soft water to cleanse the mouth. 

You can even put a caffeinated tea bag or a piece of gauze to pressure at the bleeding site. In addition, put a cold compressor in the affected area for pain relief and to stop bleeding. 

If even after all these steps you do not get any ease, immediately visit your doctor as it could be a serious dental emergency. 

Do you know?

Clean the tooth by holding it from the overhead part that is visible above the gums, and rinse the root with water. Do not try to scrub or remove the tissues attached to it. Try to put it back into the socket if possible, and it should be placed in the right manner. But do not force it into the place. 

In case it is not feasible to put it back in the socket, then keep it in a small container of milk or salt water. See your dentist as they know the best possible way to fix such dental problems. 

This dental emergency needs immediate treatment, so you should visit your dentist right away. But until you reach the clinic, you can put a cold compressor outside your mouth or cheek in the affected area. You can even consider taking pain reliever medicines like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. 

In some cases, old dental restoration can be knocked out of the place. You can try this method before going to your dentist for this emergency. Take sugarless gum and put it into the cavity but do not make the mistake of fixing the tooth on your own. You can also use over-the-counter dental cement if available, see your doctor immediately.         

Seek Professional Dental Care Promptly

It is crucial to promptly seek professional dental care in case you are facing any dental health issues. Dentistry plays a key role in safeguarding your oral health. It is fine to use over-the-counter remedies on an immediate basis in a dental emergency to get instant relief. 

However, it is very important to visit a professional dentist promptly to get the right treatment to avoid any severe consequences. Professionals know the best way to treat your dental emergency.

Here’s a Fun Fact-

The first toothbrushes were tree twigs!

Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Dental Emergencies

There are some steps that anyone can follow to prevent and avoid any possible future dental emergencies. Following correct oral hygiene practices, you can safeguard yourself from any future complications. The below list is as follows-

• Brush your teeth twice a day, making sure to use a brush with soft bristles. Do it in a gentle circular motion to cleanse all the areas in your mouth, and do not forget to rinse the tongue. 
• Sometimes brushing can not give the best results, so you can do flossing regularly as it will help in removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth.
• Mouthwash can help reduce bacteria and plaque. Always look for a mouthwash that contains fluoride, which helps in avoiding possible cavities. 
• Take care of your food intake, as a healthy diet is good for your overall health and oral health as well. Eat fruits and vegetables in good amounts, and try to avoid sugary drinks as much as possible. 

By following the above-mentioned points, you can maintain your oral hygiene, which will keep your teeth strong and healthy. Also, it will help you avoid any future dental emergencies as well.

Conclusion

A dental emergency is a mouth injury that can be of any nature such as gum bleeding, severe pain and sometimes your facial bones broken. If not treated on time it can cause further issues including the spread of infection, loss of teeth, and so on. 

The key is immediate action as soon as you get the problem. In case you are experiencing any dental emergency, do not delay and call your dentist right away. Also, you can follow all the steps mentioned above before you reach the dentist’s clinic.