Emergencies are unavoidable. They can happen to anyone at any time. Dental emergencies are something we seldom talk about. Brushing twice every day helps, but not with everything. This is why, in this blog, we will read about different dental issues and control measures to consider at Coconut Creek Emergency Dentist.
Here are five dental emergencies and a guide on how to handle emergencies;
1. Toothache
This is not surprising since toothache is the most common type of dental emergency people experience. It can be unbearably painful, so knowing how to handle it is important.
How to handle this:
Rinse Your Mouth: Wash your teeth and gums using warm water to eliminate particles and keep them clean.
Ice Pack: If your face is swollen, especially on your cheek, place an ice pack on the outside of your cheek.
See Your Dentist: It’s best to go to your dentist immediately. They will diagnose it and recommend corresponding treatments, from a simple filling up to a crown or root canal, based on whether the pulp is involved or not.
2. Knocked-Out Tooth
Knocked-out teeth cause the most terrible dental emergencies, but they are probably the only ones that can be addressed almost instantly with re-implantation.
How to handle it:
Handle with Care: Grasp the tooth in the crown (chewing end), not the root. A damaged root may not be re-implantable.
Gentle Cleaning: Gently cleaning the area from where the tooth is broken will help. Please remember that it’s very delicate, and you must be careful.
Reinsert if Possible: Gently try to put the tooth back in its socket. Place it facing the correct direction and hold it into place with gentle pressure.
3. Chipped or broken teeth
A tooth is the strongest part of the body. Yet, any sudden accident can break a part of a tooth. This causes excess pain and can damage the look of your face, too.
How To Handle It:
Carefully Preserve the tooth: Make sure to preserve a part of the tooth or the entire tooth. Sometimes, a dentist can fix it almost immediately.
Clean the mouth: Cleaning your mouth is the first thing you will do in case of any dental issue; this is no exception.
Icepack: Anything cold will make you feel better. Ice Pack is a popular choice for pain and swelling.
4. Lost Filling or Crown
If you lose your filling or crown, your tooth can become vulnerable, putting it at risk for further injury or infection. If this happens, you must call your dentist immediately.
How to handle:
Temporary Protection: If you cannot visit a dentist immediately, you could, at worst, glue the crown back on or cover the exposed tooth with some over-the-counter dental cement.
Avoid Chewing on the Affected Side: Do not chew food on the affected side.
Keep it clean: Use water to rinse and wash your mouth frequently.
5. Abscess
Accumulation of gums and cavities for a long time can give rise to an abscess, which is a collection of pusses in the teeth. It is a bacterial condition and can completely ruin your teeth.
How to handle it:
Rinse with Salt Water: Gargle several times a day with a lukewarm, mild saline solution to alleviate the pain and help bring the pus to the surface.
Avoid Popping the Abscess: Don’t attempt to pop or squeeze the abscess because such actions may spread the infection.
Pain Relief: Over-the-counter medications can subdue pain and reduce high fevers.
Seek Immediate Dental Care: The abscess needs professional treatment.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies require prompt action. Remember, the first thing you must do if you have a tooth problem is to rinse and clean your mouth. Don’t delay contacting the doctor; the pain might worsen. This blog discussed some of the most common dental emergencies; now you know how to handle them effectively.
