Experiencing dental health conditions can be stressful. Aside from the difficulty of examining your own mouth, it’s also difficult to know if the symptom you’re going through is a dental emergency, can wait several days for dental treatment, or can be treated by home remedies.
To address these problems, we’ve prepared a list of common symptoms that require a professional’s attention for you to refer to as a guide.
Dental Emergencies That Require Immediate Treatment
Do you have a swollen face or gums? Severe pain in your teeth? Or knocked-out teeth? All these situations signal an emergency and require immediate dental care. Emergencies don’t have a schedule and can occur when you least expect them.
So we’ve listed five common dental emergencies and how to handle them in case you encounter any.
1. Chips or Cracks
Cracks or chips in the teeth can occur through accidents, chewing on solid foods, or biting hard objects. People who grind and clench their teeth are also vulnerable to cracking or chipping teeth. If you have chipped or cracked teeth, try to recover the fragments if possible. Rinse and preserve it in a glass of water or milk and bring it to your dental appointment. The dentists from Sugarloaf Smiles can bond them to the damaged area and simplify repairing minor chips.
2. Severe Toothache
Pain is often bad news, as it can indicate tooth decay. Although some toothaches can be managed without emergency treatment, signs like swelling require immediate attention. Taking painkillers, aspirin, or any medications that might get in contact with the gums should be avoided, as these might burn the tissue or only make the bleeding worse. Instead, apply a cold compress outside your affected cheek and head to a nearby emergency dental clinic so treatment can begin immediately.
3. Broken or Lost Dental Restoration
Old restorations can sometimes fall out, especially if they’re past their intended lifespan or not maintained properly. If you have broken filling, temporarily cover the cavity with sugarless gum. If you have broken dental crowns or bridges, put the restoration in its place and see your dentist immediately. You can coat the inner surface with toothpaste or over-the-counter dental cement to keep it in place before heading to the dental clinic.
If you need your restorative dental treatment done today, you may contact them for an appointment.
4. Knocked-Out or Loose Teeth
Knocked-out teeth are handled similarly to broken teeth. Jaws that suffer from a trauma or strong blow often cause the teeth to entirely fall out or become loose. For cases like this, heading to facilities that offer care for complex dental emergencies is imperative.
5. Tooth Sensitivity
If you feel painful sensations when biting into an ice cream cone or drinking hot beverages and foods, you are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Although not all tooth sensitivity indicates a dental emergency, it must be examined immediately to ensure no underlying conditions are causing it. In the meantime, use over-the-counter toothpaste to help reduce the sensitivity while waiting for your dental appointment.
Final Thoughts
Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, and knowing what to do during those situations can help preserve and maintain your oral health. Some painful symptoms may go away, but this should never be a reason to delay your dental appointment. When you experience any of the conditions listed above, seek dental treatment immediately to prevent worsening your situation.
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