Experiencing oral health conditions can be stressful. Aside from the difficulty of examining your own mouth, it’s also hard 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 answer these problems, we’ve prepared a list of common symptoms that require a professional’s attention for you to use as a guide.
5 Dental Emergencies That Require Immediate Treatment
Do you have a swollen face or gums? Extreme pain in your teeth? Or knocked-out teeth? All these situations signal an emergency and need immediate dental care. Emergencies don’t have a schedule and can occur when you least expect them.
So we’ve specified five common dental emergencies that require urgent dental care to help you be proactive.
1. Knocked-Out or Loose Teeth
Knocked-out teeth are addressed similarly to broken teeth. Jaws that experience a trauma or strong blow often cause the teeth to entirely fall out or become loose. For cases like this, a visit to the emergency dentist is crucial.
2. Severe Toothache
Toothache is often bad news, as it can indicate tooth decay. Although some toothaches can be handled without emergency treatment, indicators like swelling need immediate attention. Taking aspirin, painkillers, 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. Rather, apply a cold compress outside your affected cheek and head to a nearby emergency dental center so treatment can begin immediately.
Comprehensive dental care is essential for addressing severe tooth pain and getting you back to full health.
3. 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 prone to cracking or chipping teeth. If you have cracked teeth, try to recover the fragments if possible. Rinse and preserve it in a glass of milk or water and bring it to your dental appointment. The dentist can bond them to the damaged area and easily repair minor chips.
4. 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 cover the inner surface with toothpaste or over-the-counter oral cement to keep it in position before heading for your restorative dental treatment.
You may follow the link to learn more about various restorative dental procedures.
5. Tooth Sensitivity
If you feel unpleasant 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 signifies 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 on your dental consultation.
Final Thoughts
Dental emergencies can occur unexpectedly, and knowing what to do during those conditions can help maintain and preserve oral health. Some painful symptoms may go away momentarily, but this must never be a reason to delay your dental consultation. When you experience any of the conditions mentioned above, seek dental treatment immediately to prevent aggravating your situation.
