Dental emergencies
Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, and they should be treated as such. Dental emergencies include anything from a lost tooth to an abscessed tooth, and they should be dealt with as soon as possible. Delaying treatment could lead to further damage and even infection. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call your dentist for help!
What A Dental Emergency May Look Like
A dental emergency is any situation that requires immediate attention from a dentist. Dental emergencies can include anything from a lost tooth to an abscessed tooth. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call your dentist for help!
Signs You May Have A Dental Emergency
There are a few common signs that can indicate you’re experiencing a dental emergency. These include severe toothache, lost teeth, bleeding gums, swollen gums and fever. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to call your dentist for help!
Common Dental Emergencies
The two most common types of dental emergencies are toothaches and lost teeth. Toothaches could be due to an infection, decay, cavity, cracked or chipped tooth or gingivitis. Tooth pain can be caused by a variety of reasons that should always be evaluated by your dentist. A toothache can be excruciating and when left untreated, toothaches can result in infection that causes pain in the jaw and neck.
Lost teeth happen all the time, especially to young children who lose a baby tooth or an adult who loses a permanent tooth. These lost teeth require emergency treatment because there is a high risk of root canal damage if they’re not found quickly.
Action To Take If You Have A Dental Emergency
If you think you are experiencing a dental emergency, call your dentist immediately! If it is after regular business hours, contact the office of another dentist for treatment. Follow their instructions until you can be seen by your own dentist. Even if it’s just a lost tooth, don’t hesitate to call your dentist.
Many people think that they can simply brush their teeth and wait for the pain to go away when in reality it requires professional treatment from a dentist. If you have a dental emergency, contact your dentist immediately! Treatment cannot wait and can range from a simple procedure to a root canal. The sooner you seek treatment, the greater the chance of preventing infection and saving your tooth.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it’s important to take care of your teeth as best as possible. Here are a few tips:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to help clean the area.
- Apply pressure to any bleeding areas with a cold compress.
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen if you’re in pain.
- If you’ve lost a tooth, try to find it and place it in a cup of milk.
- Contact your dentist as soon as possible for further treatment.
Supplies You May Need
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it’s important to have the right supplies on hand. This includes things like gauze, cotton balls, over-the-counter pain relief, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. If you’re dealing with a lost tooth, you’ll also need some temporary cement to hold the tooth in place until you can get to the dentist.
If you’re experiencing an abscessed tooth, you may need antibiotics to treat the infection. Be sure to take all of the medication prescribed by your dentist, even if it seems like the infection has cleared up. Cavities can also lead to dental emergencies, so be sure to visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call for help! We can get you on the road to recovery in no time. We encourage our patients to take the time to visit our dental practice regularly for cleanings and examinations to catch any problems early enough to intervene appropriately. Please contact us today at 636-272-5015 or request an appointment online.