According to the American Dental Association, a lack of awareness on dental emergencies can divert many dental cases from the emergency room to the dentist’s office or a dental clinic. While prevention with proper oral care is the best way to preserve your oral health, knowing what situations lead to dental emergencies is equally important to save you from irreversible or severe dental damage.
To help you make this decision, here we have listed six dental conditions which may require you to call or visit an emergency dentist.
Toothache
While many of us take toothaches lightly, any tooth pain that comes suddenly and progressively gets worse or intense calls for an emergency dentist. Usually, toothache is caused for two main reasons; pulp infection and when something is stuck in between the two teeth. For temporary relief, a cold compress may help alleviate the discomfort.
Abscess
Any infection in the mouth, especially near the root of the teeth or in the space between the teeth and gums, should not be ignored. When they are left untreated for a long time, they can spread to the surrounding teeth and gum tissues and, in severe cases, even the rest of the mouth. You can try a mild water solution and apply ice to the swollen area for temporary relief.
Chipped Or Broken Teeth
Using your teeth to do things besides biting and chewing, biting down on hard objects, or even accidents can cause chips and cracks in the tooth. Those who grind and clench their teeth are also more susceptible to chipping and cracking a tooth.
A chipped tooth doesn’t just affect the way your smile looks; it can also cause severe pain calling for emergency dental care. Apply a cold press on the outer part of the face closest to the chipped tooth to reduce swelling and pain.
During the treatment , your dentist will advise you on how to be conscious when biting down on hard and crunchy foods or engaging in sports activities that can cause teeth to break or chip.
Loose or Knocked Out Teeth
Any oral or facial impact that causes your teeth to lose or fall out needs emergency dental care. Suppose your tooth is loose; it’s essential to try and keep that tooth in its socket to prevent it from falling until you meet your dentist.
You can preserve a loose or missing tooth using two methods (1) You can bite down on the teeth as you would for loose teeth, or (2) You can store the teeth fragments in water or a glass of milk like you would for a chipped tooth. Your dentist may be able to glue the fragment back onto the tooth.
Soft Tissue Injury And Bleeding Gums
The soft tissues in your mouth include the lips, gums, and the inside of the cheeks. When these structures are affected or injured, you need to get emergency dental care. On the other hand, if your gums normally bleed when you brush or floss, it can indicate a more serious health condition. Depending on your case, you may require an emergency dentist, while others may require an emergency room visit.
A Filling Or Crown Falls Out
Fillings and crowns protect the more vulnerable parts of your teeth. If you lose yours, there’s a risk of the tooth getting damaged or infected. Make an appointment with your dentist immediately to replace the filling or crown. So when these break or fall out, you must treat and fix them right away to avoid further damage or the risk of reinfection.
