6 Times When You’ll Need Emergency Dental Care
A dental emergency is any dental treatment that requires immediate medical attention. Dental emergencies can be frightening and painful, requiring immediate attention. There are some cases in which you may need emergency dental care, ranging from severe pain to trauma or injury to your teeth or gums. This article highlights some common dental emergencies in Raritan, NJ, and what you can do to get prompt treatment.
Common Dental Emergencies
Some of the common dental emergencies include:
- Toothache or Dental Pain
Decay, infection, or injury are common culprits that lead to toothaches. If your pain is severe, sudden, or accompanied by swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth, it could be a sign of an abscess or infection. In such cases, seeking emergency dental care as soon as possible is critical to preventing the infection from spreading to other body parts.
- Broken or Chipped Teeth
A broken or chipped tooth can occur if you experience trauma or injury from falling or other accidents. Damage can vary from a minor chip to a tooth fracture or split. Seek immediate dental care if the tooth is bleeding, painful, or has a sharp edge. Your dentist at Stunning Smiles of Somerset can repair the tooth by filling it, placing a crown, or bonding material.
- Knocked out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency requiring immediate attention. If you find the tooth, rinse it with water and, if possible, reinsert it into the socket. If this is impossible, moisten the tooth with milk or saliva and seek immediate dental care. In these cases, time is of the essence, and the chances of saving the tooth diminish rapidly after the first hour of injury.
- Abscess or Gum or Teeth Infection
An abscess or infection in the gums or teeth can cause severe pain, swelling, and fever. I not treated, it can cause tooth loss. In such cases, it is critical to seek emergency dental care to drain the abscess, remove infected tissue, and prescribe antibiotics to keep the infection from spreading.
- Dental Restoration Loss or Damage
Losing or damaging a dental filling, crown, or bridge can cause discomfort, sensitivity, or pain. In such cases, seeking emergency dental care to repair or replace the restoration is critical to preventing further tooth or gum tissue damage.
How To Handle A Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies can sometimes frighten and be painful, but knowing what to do in such situations can help you seek immediate treatment. This will also prevent extensive damage to your teeth and gums. In the event of a dental emergency, follow these steps:
- Consult with Your Dentist
You should contact your dentist or emergency dentistry if you have a dental emergency. Explain your symptoms and the gravity of the situation, and seek their advice on the next steps. If your dentist is unavailable, go to the nearest emergency dental clinic or hospital emergency room for treatment.
- Use Pain Relievers.
If you are in pain, you can manage it with pain relievers. However, avoid aspirin medication because it can sometimes thin the blood and increase bleeding.
- Use a Cold Compress
Apply a cold compress to the swelled or affected area to cool the inflammation. Wrap a cloth around a bag of ice or frozen vegetables and place it on your cheek for 20 minutes. Repeat several times per day to reduce swelling and pain.
- Brush Your Teeth
If you have a toothache or an injury, you can reduce swelling and pain by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water.
Add a spoonful of salt to the glass of water and then rinse your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out.
- Keep a Knocked-Out Tooth
If you’ve knocked out a tooth, try to save it as much as possible. Rinse the tooth with water and, if possible, reinsert it into the socket. If this is not possible, moisten the tooth in a container or glass of milk or saliva until you can see your emergency dentist in Raritan, NJ. You can also contact our office for other dental procedures that include restorative, preventative, and cosmetic dentistry.