Knowing when to seek immediate dental care during emergencies can save your teeth. From severe toothaches to knocked-out teeth, emergencies can happen anytime. Being prepared and informed is crucial. We’ll guide you on handling dental emergencies and knowing when to seek professional help.
Common dental emergencies
Dental emergencies can vary, from sudden, strong pain to injuries on your teeth and gums. Knowing these types can help you see when you need help right away. Common emergencies include:
- Severe Toothache: Intense and persistent tooth pain.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: Immediate action can sometimes save the tooth.
- Broken or Chipped Tooth: Requires prompt dental attention to prevent further damage.
- Loose or Lost Dental Filling/Crown: Can lead to sensitivity and require replacement.
- Abscess: Swelling, pain, and pus around the tooth, indicating infection.
- Object Caught Between Teeth: Can cause discomfort and potential damage if not removed properly.
- Injury to Soft Tissues: Lacerations or tears to the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue that may require medical attention.
Steps to take when experiencing a dental emergency
- Assess the situation: Check how serious the emergency is. If it’s life-threatening, like severe bleeding or trouble breathing, call emergency services or go to the nearest hospital right away.
- Contact your dentist: For urgent but not life-threatening issues, call your dentist immediately. Explain what’s happening and ask for the soonest appointment. Many dentists set aside time for emergencies and might see you the same day.
- Provide first aid: Depending on the emergency, you might give basic first aid until you see your dentist. For a knocked-out tooth, gently put it back in place or keep it in milk or saliva. For a bad toothache, take over-the-counter pain meds and use a cold compress.
- Prevent more damage: Avoid activities that could hurt your teeth more, like chewing hard foods. If a tooth is cracked or broken, don’t touch it with your tongue or fingers to avoid more pain.
- Get ready for your appointment: Before seeing the dentist, gather details about what happened, any first aid you did, and the meds you take. This helps the dentist give you the right treatment.
When to seek emergency dental care
Knowing when to seek emergency dental care can make a big difference in saving your tooth or preventing a minor issue from becoming worse. Here are clear signs it’s time for immediate dental attention:
- Severe, persistent pain: Intense, throbbing pain in your teeth or gums that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter pain meds.
- Swelling: Significant swelling in your gums, cheeks, or face, which could indicate an infection or injury.
- Unstoppable bleeding: Persistent or uncontrollable bleeding from your mouth.
- Broken, cracked, or chipped teeth: Tooth damage from accidents or injuries.
- Loose or knocked-out teeth: A tooth that’s loose or completely out due to injury.
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing: Trouble swallowing or breathing because of swelling or inflammation.
If you have any of these signs, get professional dental care right away. Call your dentist or go to an emergency dental clinic if you’re unsure how serious it is.
Preventing dental emergencies
Here are simple tips to prevent dental emergencies:
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brush and floss daily to avoid cavities and gum issues.
- See your dentist regularly: Check-ups can catch problems early.
- Use a mouthguard: Protect your teeth during sports or physical activities.
- Avoid hard foods: They can crack your teeth.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools: Avoid opening things with them.
- Address issues early: Don’t wait if you have tooth pain or swelling.
Conclusion
Dealing with dental emergencies can be scary, but being ready can really help. If you have severe pain, swelling, or bleeding, get dental care right away. Stay informed, act fast, and see a dentist quickly for the best results in dental emergencies. Contact Sunstone Dental Clinic at (604) 428-8722 to book an appointment.