6 Common Dental Emergency Situations That You Can Face

Tooth decay, gum disease, and a chipped tooth are most considered dental emergencies. While good dental care and prevention are the best ways to maintain your oral health, knowing what to do in an emergency can help you avoid long-term consequences. Do you know the most common dental emergencies, and how should one handle them? If you don’t, reading the sections below can be pretty beneficial.

Toothache

Pain is never a good sign: it can signal various problems, including dental decay. While some toothaches can be treated without the use of medication, others signs such as inflammation necessitate prompt medical intervention. Avoid using over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or other pain killers since they might cause tissue burns if they come into touch with the affected gums. Instead, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek and seek immediate dental assistance. After your treatment, your dentist will emphasize maintaining good oral hygiene to avoid cavities, tooth decay, and other serious dental issues.

Broken Or Chipped Teeth

Did you bite down on anything a little too hard? A chipped or fractured tooth does not just make your smile look unattractive but can also be painful. Apply a piece of gauze to the bleeding spot after rinsing your mouth with warm water. Then, to minimize swelling and relieve discomfort, put a cool compress to the region of your face nearest to the broken or chipped tooth.

Your dentist will recommend you avoid biting down on hard and crunchy foods and sports, and other activities that can cause teeth to shatter or chip.

Knocked-Out Teeth

Pick up the tooth by the crown (the part that is visible in the mouth) and only rinse the root if it is dirty like you would with a chipped or cracked tooth. If at all possible, avoid scrubbing and removing linked tissue fragments. You may be able to put the tooth back in place depending on the severity of the injury, but be careful not to press it into the socket. The faster you can do this (ideally within an hour), the greater your chances of saving and repairing a knocked-out tooth. If you can’t get the tooth back in, put it in a small cup of milk or water with a bit of salt. 

Lost Crown Or Filling

Crowns and fillings are used to repair the appearance and function of previously damaged teeth. As a result, you must appropriately treat them if the crowns or fillings break to prevent any further harm or subsequent infection.

While you’re waiting for emergency dental care, try this quick cure. To avoid injuring the tooth, insert a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity. Do not try to fix the tooth on your own. Alternatively, you can put the restoration in a zip-top bag and take it to your dentist’s office to have it reapplied or replaced.

Damaged Or Broken Orthodontics

Braces are pretty strong and durable. The metal wires and brackets are made to resist biting, eating, and even talking daily. But, even they can shatter or protrude and poke your cheeks and gums. This causes discomfort, but it can also stifle or even reverse tooth alignment and straightening progress.

You can try pushing the broken wire into a more comfortable position in such a situation. If this isn’t possible, cover the exposed end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or a piece of gauze. Please do not cut the wire to avoid swallowing, no matter how inconvenient it is.

Abscess

Infections in the mouth can be dangerous, especially around the base of a tooth or between the teeth and gums. These can spread to neighboring teeth and gum tissue, and the rest of the body if left untreated. Are you not sure about having an abscess? Look for a swollen, painful lesion on your gums that looks like a pimple. Apply ice to the swollen area and rinse your mouth with a gentle water solution for momentary relief. Contact our dentist’s office right away for emergency care to avoid worsening oral health problems.

West Olds Dental offers top-quality emergency dental care in Street Olds, Alberta. So, if you are facing dental emergencies, do not hesitate to schedule a visit at our dental office.