Six Dental Emergencies and Tips to Handle Them

A dental emergency is a serious health issue, and when it occurs, you need to contact a dentist near you immediately. Dental emergencies left untreated can lead to other serious health conditions.

A dental emergency is an injury or bruise affecting the gums, soft tissues, and teeth. Damaged dental restorations can also be classified as an urgent dental emergency. While it is recommended that you seek out urgent dental treatment after an accident occurs, handling the dental accident will influence the results you get. It is also important for you to differentiate between urgent and non-urgent dental accidents. Some of the non-urgent emergencies can be handled at home as you wait for your next dental appointment.

The common urgent dental emergencies include:

1. Knocked teeth 

The teeth can get partially or completely get knocked out when your mouth comes in direct contact with an object. Knocked-out teeth are common dental emergencies, but fortunately, the dentist can treat and possibly save the teeth from extraction. When your teeth get dislodges from the socket, it is crucial to visit our emergency dentist in Oakland, CA, for treatment. But in the meantime, follow these instructions:

• If the tooth is partially knocked out, pick it by the crown and place it back to the socket. Do not try to pull the tooth because it could cause gum bruising and severe bleeding; only our dentist in 94612 can determine if the teeth need an extraction or not.
• If the teeth are completely knocked out, pick them and put them in a milk solution to keep them moist and preserve them.
• Get rid of the debris or dirt.
• Visit our dentist within the first hour after the accident occurs. It is possible to save the teeth if treatment is started early.

2. Chipped and Cracked Teeth 

Though our teeth are strong, they can crack or chip after a fall or accident. There is no home treatment for a chipped tooth; you should see a dentist for proper treatment. However, you can ease pain and reduce bleeding with these tips as you wait for treatment.

• Get rid of any broken pieces by rinsing the mouth with warm water.
• You can control bleeding by biting a gauze pad
• Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling
• You can also use medication to relieve the pain but consult the dentist first.

3. Toothache 

Several factors can cause tooth pain, such as decay, bruises, infection, decay, or even food stuck between the gums. Toothaches do not clear without treatment, so it is crucial to seek dental treatment, but in the meantime, you can try to:

• Floss to remove any stuck food particles.
• Use ice to ease the swelling
• Do not take pain relievers unless advised by the dentist

4. Tooth Abscess

When you have a gum infection, the body will try to fight out, producing pus in the process. This pus, if it does not drain well, it accumulates in the gums cause pockets—the abscess. It is crucial to treat the dental abscess immediately because the infection can easily spread and enter the bloodstream, causing widespread inflammation.

To ease the pain, you can rinse your mouth using warm salt water.

5. Soft tissue injuries 

Soft tissues are found in your tongue, cheeks, lips, gums, and palate. Any bruising can cause bleeding and create an environment for an infection. You can control the bleeding using a gauze pad or tea bag. If the bleeding persists for more than 10 minutes, then come for urgent treatment.

6. Broken Braces 

Your metal dental braces can break and cause the wires to stick out. These can poke the gums and cheeks, causing bruising. You can try using a blunt object to push the wires into place. Also, place a cotton ball on the ends of the braces. Please do not remove or cut the wires because you may end up causing a gum injury or swallowing them. Visit our dentist immediately for proper assessment and treatment.

Take Action 

When a dental emergency occurs, how you handle them will make all the difference. Visit Franklin Dental Care for treatment and instructions on how to keep your mouth safe.