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Below is a list of the most common dental emergencies we treat:
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A dental emergency is an urgent dental problem, usually associated with the teeth and jaws, which may have symptoms that require immediate attention by a dentist. For example, a severe dental infection, a visible swelling, or a recent dental trauma are all considered emergency problems that require prompt, professional attention.
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Family Dental Emergency
Everyone dislikes facing emergency situations. People are generally aware of handling most health emergency situations. However, few know how to handle a dental emergency. A dental emergency can be described as an injury to your teeth, gums or inside your mouth that needs immediate professional attention. It can occur anytime ranging from minor issues like a chipped tooth to severe problems like a knocked out tooth. Ignoring a dental emergency may lead to permanent damage, resulting in costly treatments. Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can save you and your family from these risks and help in faster recovery. Here is a brief on how to handle some common dental emergencies.
Chipped, Cracked or Broken Tooth
While a minor tooth chip, especially if it doesn't hurt, may not need immediate professional attention, a severely chipped or cracked tooth is a dental emergency. If you or any family member suffers a chipped or cracked tooth, here’s how you must deal with the situation.
- Make them thoroughly rinse their mouth with warm water
- Save the broken tooth pieces and cleanse them with water
- If there is any bleeding, apply a piece of gauze or a tea bag to the wound for about ten minutes or until the bleeding stops. If it is a child or elderly person suffering from this, assist them in stopping the bleeding.
- Apply a cold compress on the facial or cheek area to alleviate the pain and swelling. Acetaminophen or non-aspirin pain relievers also help reduce pain.
- Immediately call an emergency dental service for an appointment.
Knocked Out Tooth
This is one of the most serious dental emergencies, which requires immediate professional care to save the dislodged tooth. If any of your family members suffer a knocked out tooth, here is what you can do until you get to the dentist.
- Gently pick up the tooth from the crown and rinse it with cool water. Avoid touching the roots when picking it, and do not scrub it aggressively to cleanse it.
- If possible, assist the family member to try and put the tooth back in place by gently biting down. If not, preserve the tooth by placing it in a container filled with milk.
- Use a cold compress to alleviate the pain and swelling caused by the dislodged tooth.
- Take an immediate dental appointment. Knocked out tooth has good chances of being saved and replaced. Ideally, a knocked out tooth can get successfully re-implanted into the socket within 30 minutes to an hour of the situation’s occurrence.
Loose or Misaligned Tooth
A misaligned or loose tooth that has been partially dislodged from its position requires you to see the dentist immediately to prevent permanent damage. If you or any of your family members spot a partially dislodged tooth, take an emergency dental appointment immediately. While you get to the dentist, gently re-align the tooth with the neighboring teeth by applying minimal pressure. Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to alleviate pain and swelling if any.
While these are some of the situations, there are several other conditions that constitute a dental emergency. Damaged or lost crowns and fillings, broken or loose braces, abscess, soft tissue injuries are all dental emergencies. Because you cannot treat them at home, you must consult an emergency dental service in the event of such situations.
