What Is a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies happen at any time and often when you least expect them, and they can be painful. Whether it is a toothache, a cracked tooth, or something else, it’s important to know when you should see a dentist immediately.
What is Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a bruising, injury, or damage to the teeth, gums, and soft tissues. These problems cause severe tooth pain, gum pain, swelling, bleeding, a broken tooth, an object stuck in your tooth, a lost filling, or a lost crown.
What are the Common Dental Emergencies?
Several dental emergencies can occur, and it is important to be aware of the warning signs. Visit an emergency dentist in Pocahontas, IA, as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms. Ignoring dental emergencies can lead to serious complications.
- Bleeding gums
One of the most common dental emergency warning signs is bleeding gums, which is a sign of gum infection. Gum infection can lead to tooth and bone loss as it progresses. Other dental emergency warning signs include pain, swelling, and sensitivity to hot or cold.
- Tooth pain
Tooth pain can be a sign of a serious dental problem. Toothache can manifest as severe toothache that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter pain relievers or sensitivity to hot or cold that persists or worsens. The tooth pain can be caused by localized infection or cracked teeth that extend to the root. Mild to moderate toothache can be treated at home as you wait for the earliest dental appointment. However, if the pain is persistent and throbbing, you may need to visit an emergency dentist for assistance.
- Knocked out teeth
Knocked teeth can occur when you come in contact with an object after an accident or a fall. The teeth can partially be dislodged or come out entirely. Regardless of how they manifest, it is crucial to visit the dentist within the first hour of the accident. This increases the probability of the dentist saving the teeth. In the meantime, try to find the tooth and rinse it off with water.
If the tooth is partially dislodged, try to push it back in place. If you cannot do this, store the tooth in a cup of milk.
- Cracked or fractured teeth
You could have cracked teeth if you have a severe toothache that doesn’t go away, sensitivity, or pain when biting or chewing.
If you have a cracked tooth, visit a dentist as soon as possible because if you ignore it, it can lead to further damage, infection, and even tooth loss. As you wait for dental assistance, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to your face to reduce swelling.
- Dental abscess
A dental abscess usually is the result of a bacterial infection. If left untreated, it can spread to other body parts and cause serious health problems or widespread inflammation.
What Are Treatments for Common Dental Emergencies?
Treatments for dental emergencies depend on the type and severity of the emergency. Your dentist may smooth out the rough edges for minor emergencies, such as chipped teeth.
More serious emergencies, such as a tooth knocked out, may require extensive treatment like extraction.
A root canal treatment can also be used to address the pulp infection. If you have gum disease, scaling and root planning can reverse the problem.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies?
Preventing emergencies can be challenging, but you can reduce their severity. First, it’s important to maintain proper hygiene to prevent infection and decay.
Bruxism can weaken the teeth and make it easy for them to crack or chip. Wearing a mouth protector like a guard at night can protect the teeth from grinding or clenching pressure.
Also, ensure you visit the dentist regularly for tooth cleaning and checkup to prevent decay. Fluoride treatment is also recommended because it strengthens the teeth and keeps cavities at bay.
Take Action
Visit Pocahontas Dental Associates for assistance when a dental emergency occurs to prevent complications.