Dental emergencies can occur at any moment and can be quite inconvenient to your schedule. A damaged tooth, a loose filling, or a toothache can make it difficult to eat, communicate, or sleep. In rare circumstances, a dental emergency may indicate a more serious underlying issue. It is better to get emergency dental care from your dentist as soon as possible.
What is a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies cover a wide spectrum of urgent oral health conditions, such as acute toothaches, shattered or knocked-out teeth, dental abscesses, and soft tissue injuries. These problems frequently need rapid treatment to reduce pain, avoid future consequences, and protect oral health.
Assess the situation and act quickly.
When faced with a dental emergency, the first step is to assess what is going on in your mouth rapidly. Do you have extreme dental pain or sensitivity? Is there swelling on your gums, face, or neck? Have you removed a filling or crown? Is a tooth loose, fractured, or chipped? Once you have identified the problem, you may decide how to manage it until you can get emergency dental care effectively. Time is important, so do not put off taking steps to maintain your dental health.
Relieve tooth pain immediately.
Toothaches and dental discomfort should not be neglected. The sooner you can relieve your discomfort, the better. If you experience significant tooth sensitivity or throbbing pain due to a cavity or fractured tooth, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can give temporary relief. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can also help relieve irritation. Brush and floss gently to prevent irritating the impacted tooth and gums. Of course, call your dentist right away so that they can identify and treat the issue.
Stop bleeding with moderate pressure.
Accidents occur, and you may have a dental injury that results in bleeding in your mouth. Whether you have lost a baby tooth early or injured your gums, it is critical to stop the bleeding immediately. First, rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to remove any extra blood. Next, apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a clean gauze pad or moist tea bag. Hold it in place for 30-60 minutes without continually checking on the region. The bleeding should cease after a clot develops. Maintaining stability in the region will help to keep the clot in place as the damage heals.
Call an emergency dentist.
When you have a dental emergency, you should call an emergency dentist right away. Many dental clinics provide emergency dental care and have processes in place to handle urgent visits. Call your dentist’s office or an emergency dental hotline to book an emergency appointment and receive rapid treatment.