Dental emergencies can occur at times and cause agony, pain, and nervousness. They can vary from toothaches, knocked-out teeth, chipped crowns, and many more. However, immediate intervention must occur to avert complications.
Having a general idea about dealing with a dental emergency and when to seek expert care can go a long distance in safeguarding your mouth and overall wellness.
Emergency dentistry entails immediate treatment for immediate complications and quick intervention for unplanned complications. It seeks to correct immediate complications, provide relief for infection and pain, and repair function in a timely manner.
Being aware of a dental complication and having an ideal dentist can enable one to receive proper care when in a critical state.
In this article, we will cover everything about emergency dentistry, including common dental emergencies, urgent care and preventive care.
What Is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry deals with acute and immediate mouth complications. In contrast to scheduled appointments for routine maintenance, acute complications requiring immediate intervention receive care in emergency dentistry.
They treat infections through the root canal and tooth extraction. Besides, reputable emergency dentists like Marvel Dental can even correct unforeseen complications, offering rapid and effective care for patients. At Marvel Dental, which has two convenient locations in Fort Wayne and Huntington, Indiana, cosmetic and family dentists offer comprehensive dental health care to individuals and families.
People of all ages can receive excellent preventative, general, cosmetic, pediatric, and emergency dentistry from the office.
When not addressed, dental emergencies can become increasingly involved in complications, such as infection, tooth loss, and trauma to adjacent teeth and gums. Knowing when to seek immediate care from your dentist will result in a healthy teeth.
Common Dental Emergencies
Knowing the most common dental emergencies will enable you to respond at a quick pace when an issue arises.
Some of the most critical cases of a problem in your mouth that demand immediate care include:
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Acute Toothache
A persistent toothache that will not ease over time can mean an infection, decay, or an abscessed tooth. If the toothache is sharp, one must seek immediate care from a dentist to evaluate it and receive care promptly if complications arise.
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Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)
In the event of a blow or an accident, if a tooth is knocked out, it can be saved with immediate intervention. To save a tooth, one will have to:
- Hold your tooth at its crown, not its root.
- Carefully wash with water, and don’t scrub.
- Where possible, attempt to reinsert the tooth into its socket and lock it in position.
- If reinsertion fails, store your tooth in a jar of saliva or milk and seek an immediate dentist.
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Broken, Fractured, or Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth can hurt and make your mouth sensitive, and infection can become a risk. Rinse your mouth with warm water, apply a cold compress to stop your face and mouth from becoming swollen, and don’t bite in that area. Get to an emergency dentist for a quick remedy at your first chance.
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Dental Infection or Abscess
A dental abscess is a painful infection in a tissue that covers a tooth root, and its symptoms include:
- Harsh suffering
- Swelling in the face or gums
- Fever
- A bad taste in the mouth
- An untreated abscess can become a life-threatening infection, and immediate medical care must be taken.
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Missing or Drifted Filling or Crown
A tooth can become sensitive or painful when a filling or a crown comes out and is not yet replaced. However, don’t bite in that region in an emergency; use over-the-counter dental cement (purchased at a pharmacy store) to cover a tooth temporarily.
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Suffering with Gums That Bleed
Periodontal disease, trauma, or an underlying problem can cause unsustained bleeding in your gums. In case of failure to stop with 10-15 minutes of pressure, seek immediate care.
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Wires and Broken Braces
If a bracing wire pokes out and comes in contact with the inner part of your mouth, cover it with an orthodontic wax, a soft tissue protector, or a cotton ball similar in shape and function until an emergency dentist can evaluate your case. Do not try to clip off a broken bracing wire yourself.
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Injuries to the jaw
A dislocated or fractured jaw is a medical and possibly dental emergency that can necessitate immediate medical and possibly even dental care. Apply a cold pack and seek out your community’s emergency room and/or dentist.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency?
Step 1: Remain Composed
Panicking won’t work. Stop, assess the problem, and work out what can be achieved.
Step 2: Inflammation and Pain Controlling
- Use a cold compress to alleviate swelling.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (avoid aspirin if bleeding is present).
- Avoid consuming hard foods and sticky foods.
Step 3: Secure Affected Zone
If a tooth is knocked out, attempt to save it (preferably in milk).
For a broken crown, a filling, or a braces’ wire, use temp wax or temp cement and have a dentist work with it at your first chance.
Step 4: Obtain Emergency Dental Services
Call a dentist in an emergency. Most dentists’ offices have same-day appointments for emergencies.
For out-of-hours care, try 24-hour emergency dental centers or ERs in a hospital for immediate care.
Wrapping Up
Dentistry can cause anxiety and pain, but an awareness of them can make a big difference. Whatever it is – a painful tooth, a knocked out tooth, an infection – having immediate care at a dentist to avert complications is essential.
By having a general awareness of common dentistry emergencies, knowing your role, and having an accessible dentist in an emergency, your mouth can become healthy, and long-term complications can be averted.
Taking proper mouth care and preventive steps can lessen your opportunity for a dentistry emergency. Emergency cases cannot be foreseen, but preparation will ensure that in case one occurs, you will have perfect awareness of how to regain your smile and ease your misery in no time.