When it comes to dental emergencies, they can happen at any time and for a variety of reasons. It is important that you know what to do when one happens so that you can take the appropriate action. In this blog post, we will discuss 5 common dental emergencies and what steps you should take if one occurs.
Knocked Out Teeth
If a permanent tooth is knocked out due to an accident, then this is considered a dental emergency. If this happens, the first thing you should do is locate the tooth and then stop any bleeding that may be occurring. You can stop bleeding by biting down firmly on folded gauze or a tea bag. Once you have the bleeding under control, you will want to carefully rinse the tooth with water. You should always handle the tooth by its crown and avoid touching the roots. If you can, try to place the tooth back in its socket. If that is not possible, then store the tooth in a container of either water or milk and take it to your dentist as soon as possible.
Lost Crowns or Fillings
If you lose a crown or filling, you should always see your dentist right away. If it is a temporary crown that has fallen out of place, then it is especially important to have it fixed so that your permanent crown will fit properly. In some cases, you may be able to use gum or polident to hold a crown in place until you are able to get the permanent restoration replaced by your dentist.
Loose Teeth
While most people realize that a knocked out tooth is a dental emergency, not as many people realize that a loose tooth is also an emergency. If you have a loose tooth, chances are it will continue to get looser and eventually fall out without treatment. Therefore, you will need to see your dentist as soon as possible to determine the cause. In the meantime, you should try to keep the tooth in place by firmly biting down.
Damaged Teeth
Teeth can also become chipped or cracked for multiple reasons. When this happens, it also warrants a trip to your local emergency dentist. This is because bacteria can enter your tooth through chips, cracks, or fractures. Once the bacteria get inside your tooth, this can cause a dental pulp infection that will require a root canal. In the case that your tooth becomes chipped, you should try to locate any missing pieces and store them in water or milk until your appointment.
Tooth Pain
Last, but certainly not least, tooth pain is another common dental emergency. This is especially true when the pain comes on suddenly and/or gets progressively worse. In some cases, you may be able to floss and find that the cause of your pain was something lodged between two teeth. In other cases, you will need to see your dentist. There are many things that can cause tooth pain, so you will want to see your dentist if you have tooth pain that is not improving. In the meantime, you can manage tooth pain by taking pain medication, applying ice packs to the outside of your face where your tooth is located, and rinsing with salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt + 8 oz warm water).
If you are ever in a dental emergency, knowing what to do is crucial. The 5 common emergencies discussed above should help you know what steps to take when faced with any of these issues. If you have questions or concerns about your own oral health care needs, contact us at Channo DDS for more information on how we can meet your needs and make sure that all of your teeth are healthy!
