Dental Emergencies: What to Do and When to Seek Help

Unforeseen difficulties are among life’s constants, and you can count dental crises among the most traumatic. Knowing the best course of action for your specific circumstance is crucial, whether you require immediate dental care or simply some time to relax. This way, you can decide if going to the emergency room or the dentist is the best action.

What Are Dental Emergencies?

You should schedule regular dental checkups every six months. These may involve a thorough cleaning, X-rays, and a consultation with your dentist. All of them are essential components of dental care. 

The situation is quite different with dental emergencies. Immediate intervention is usually necessary to manage acute pain, stop trauma-related bleeding, take care of lacerations, or repair tooth damage. 

Common Dental Emergencies

Examples of situations requiring emergency dental attention are the following:

• Intense tooth pain.
• Fractured tooth with visible cracks.
• Avulsed tooth.
• Partially dislodged tooth.
• Acute abscess with swelling in the jaw or face.
• Damage to dental restorations like fillings or crowns.
• Significant soft tissue injuries such as lip trauma or deep cuts in the mouth.

Steps to Take

Severe Tooth Pain 

Relieve your severe toothache by rinsing your mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Take OTC pain relievers and avoid putting aspirin or other painkillers directly on your gums or tooth. Doing so may damage your gum tissue. The quickest solution is to see your dentist as soon as possible.

Cracked Tooth 

Collect and rinse the broken fragments of your tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply pressure with gauze if there is bleeding. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek or mouth near the broken tooth. A visit to the dentist is necessary for proper treatment.

Knocked-out Tooth 

Retrieve the tooth by the crown and rinse the root with water. If possible, place the tooth back in its socket without forcing it. Time is of the essence in this situation; see your dentist as soon as possible. That is because the chances of saving a knocked-out tooth are higher when reinserted within an hour.

Partially Dislodged Tooth 

If you have an extruded or partially dislodged tooth, seek immediate dental care. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek or mouth in the affected area. Take an OTC pain reliever if necessary.

Dental Abscess 

A dental abscess is a severe condition that requires immediate attention from your dentist. Do not ignore a dental abscess as it could cause damage to surrounding teeth and tissue. It could also spread to other parts of your body.

Lost or Broken Dental Restoration 

Fill the cavity with sugarless gum or over-the-counter dental cement. In the case of a broken bridge or crown, schedule an appointment with your dentist, bringing the restoration with you. 

Soft Tissue Injury 

Use a mild saltwater solution to rinse your mouth and apply pressure with a wet gauze. Hold a cold compress to the affected area for 5-10 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, seek dental or medical attention immediately. Continue applying pressure to the affected area with gauze.

Conclusion

Even though some problems, such as missing fillings, cracked veneers, or broken dental appliances, can be pretty annoying, they do not constitute emergencies. It is best to evaluate the seriousness of your problem and decide if you need to visit your dentist or the emergency room.

For more on dental emergencies, visit Obeng Family Dental at our office in Port Orange, Florida. Call (386) 761-9440 to book an appointment today.