Dental emergencies happen unexpectedly, like when you have a terrible, nagging toothache or when your child falls and breaks their tooth. Dental emergencies can be scary, but knowing what to do in these scenarios can sometimes mean the difference between keeping a tooth or losing it. Continue reading to learn more about what to do in a dental emergency.
WHAT IS A DENTAL EMERGENCY?
A dental emergency constitutes any circumstance that requires obvious and urgent action to address severe mouth pain, discomfort or injury. Keep in mind that inconvenient situations such as lost fillings, chipped veneers or broken dental appliances are not considered dental emergencies.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON DENTAL EMERGENCIES?
Common dental emergencies patients experience include:
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Teeth or jaw pain
- Broken jaw
- Bleeding or aching gums
- Soft tissue injuries
- Toothaches
- Objects stuck in the mouth
WHAT SHOULD I DO FIRST IN A DENTAL EMERGENCY?
In the case of any dental emergency, call your dentist’s office right away. Unfortunately, not all dentists are regularly available for these situations, but we are available at The Landing Dental Spa. For example, the Speakman family had a devastating but incredible story that required the help of our experienced staff. To learn more about their story, check out our blog, Finding Your Smile Again: Emergency Dental Appointments.
TIPS FOR HANDLING A DENTAL EMERGENCY
Below are some tips outlining how to handle dental emergencies:
- Cracked or broken tooth: Rinse out your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to your face to keep the swelling down.
- Knocked-out tooth: Keep the tooth moist at all times. If possible, place the tooth back into the socket without touching the root. However, if this is not possible, place the tooth between your cheek and gums or in milk. Then, visit your dentist’s office immediately.
- Teeth or jaw pain: An infection, like an abscessed tooth, could be causing your discomfort.
- Broken jaw: Apply a cold compress to your face to keep the swelling down. Then, visit your dentist or local emergency room immediately.
- Bleeding or aching gums: You may have gum disease, which requires dental treatment. To learn more about gum disease, check out our blog, Gum Disease: Causes Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention.
- Soft-tissue injury: Clean the injured area with water and apply a cold compress for bleeding. If the injuries continue bleeding or are deep, you may need stitches.
- Toothache: Bite on a cotton ball soaked in clove oil. Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help the pain, but consult with your doctor beforehand and only take these medications as directed. To learn more about toothaches, check out our blog, Toothaches: Causes and Prevention.
- Object stuck in your mouth: Try to remove it with floss; do not try to remove it with something sharp or pointed. If it remains trapped, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible, as the stuck object could cause an infection.
HOW TO PREVENT FUTURE DENTAL EMERGENCIES
There are some basic precautions you should take to help prevent dental emergencies. They are as follows:
- Wear protective mouth guards when participating in sports.
- Avoid chewing hard foods like ice.
- Don’t try to open or cut things with your teeth.
DO YOU NEED EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE? CONTACT THE LANDING DENTAL SPA TODAY
Remember, if you are experiencing a dental emergency, you should contact your dentist right away! At The Landing Dental Spa, we provide specialty services for dental emergencies. Our number one priority is to provide you with a healthy smile while making your dental experience relaxing and comfortable. If you need emergency dental care and would like to make an appointment with one of our dentists, please give us a call at 304-594-2200 or use our online contact form.
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