Having a beautiful set of teeth after drug addiction

3 Common Dental Emergencies and What to Do When They Occur

by Danielle Fletcher

Dental emergencies can strike at any time, no matter how careful you are. There are indeed many forms of dental problems and oral injuries, but not all are emergencies. In case of an emergency, the timeliness of your actions has a huge bearing on the outcome. Injuries to gums and teeth may not be dental emergencies, but they should not be ignored either, as they could culminate into more serious issues. As a matter of fact, most people are unsure of what constitutes a dental emergency and what they should do afterward. Follow these guidelines on how to properly handle common dental emergencies.

Toothache

Toothaches can occur for several reasons, including cavity, tooth decay, gum disease or bruxism. Tooth pain often comes to shore when you're consuming a cold drink or eating something hot. In most cases rinsing your mouth with warm water should help with the pain, and if there's a swelling, ensure that you hold an ice pack against your cheek. In addition, you can take ibuprofen to help with the pain, but if it lingers, have a dentist examine you as soon as possible.

Knocked-Out Tooth

A tooth can get knocked out of its socket by force on a fall or when you're playing sports. If the tooth is lost, you'll need an implant, but if it can be retrieved, there are chances it can be restored with the following steps:

  1. Pick up the tooth by the crown, and don't touch the root.
  2. Rinse the tooth in water only and, if possible, put it back into its socket. Do not use any soap while washing, and try not to tamper with the root of the tooth.
  3. If you cannot put it back into its socket, put the tooth in a container of cold milk, salted water, or your saliva.

A knocked-out tooth is considered a dental emergency, and if you manage to see a dentist within the first 30 minutes of falling, chances are your tooth will be restored successfully. 

Broken or Cracked Tooth

Teeth can break when biting onto a hard object or even a piece of food. A small chip on the tooth is typically fixed with a filling, but larger cracks may require tooth extraction or a new dental crown. In the event of a broken tooth, the first step is to rinse your mouth with warm water and put an ice pack on a cheek to lessen the swelling. See your dentist as soon as possible for an examination of the severity of the broken tooth.

Dental emergencies are a common occurrence, and knowing what to do could make all the difference in the world. Still, practicing good oral habits such as brushing and flossing can help you avoid some dental emergencies such as toothaches. Contact your local emergency dentistry if you have these symptoms. 

Share